Earplugs Anyone?

[Xdot]

When I went from dirt to street the real surprise wasn't the traffic, it was the NOISE! Just the wind noise at speed. At first I thought I was going to have to sell the bike until I pulled the short windscreen and it got a lot better. But still too loud. I tried some cheap disposable earplugs (Hearos) and that has helped but it is still pretty darn loud. I've also tried a different helmet. And for information's sake, a Shoei X-11 that fits is much louder than my old, slightly-roomy HJC. The top vent on the Shoei sounded like a whistling freight train. I'm sending that puppy back. I've got an Arai Profile on order. WebBikeWorld said it was fairly quiet (as helmets go), it's one of the few helmets that fits me really well, and the vents are not on the top so I'm hoping for some improvement in the whistling category.

Still, I think earplugs are the way to go. So, I'm looking for some good, custom, molded earplugs. I'd really like a set of plugs with micro-speakers in them so I can connect to electronic devices on longer rides. Not available at WalMart but a thorougly non-exhaustive search turned up this on the net: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/mo ... gear1.html , which led me to these: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/chmisearph.html They aren't cheap but I figure hearing aids are probably a lot more expensive. And I enjoy listening to music. And birds. And my wife's voice. And etc...

What are you folk's doing in the auditory department? Anybody have a rave review of their favorite set of earplugs? Or a good place to get them? Thanks for helping me stay in the saddle.

John

[Dr. Strangelove]

Etymotics with the soft squishy inserts. These can be replaced with regular old soft squishy plugs when they wear out.

[sweatmark]

Earplugs are mandatory IMHO. I've never ridden a bike quiet enough for extended riding without hearing protection, although a day's test ride on R1200RT was pretty close.

Etymotic ER-6i ear buds work very well, and there are certainly alternatives for in-ear speakers. Most of the time though I use a fresh pair of disposable foam earplugs, with audio from Autocom speakers in helmet.

I wear foam earplugs most days for work. Finding a type that works well, whether for work in industrial environment or motorcycling, requires some experimentation. There are kits for motorcycling that include several types to try.

[R4R&R]

If I'm listening to music, then Etymotic ER-6i ear buds. Otherwise, just a pair of the plain foam disposable plugs work great!

[rdsmith3]

Etymotic er-6i for listening to music.

For ear plugs, Aerostich has sampler packs of both disposable and re-usable ear plugs. You can find ones that fit you best.

http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-reus ... e-kit.html

http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-disp ... e-kit.html

[Biff's R]

I have tried 4 different types of ear buds. I had some skull Candy ones that worked ok until the wire broke after a year, everything else has been noisy at speed, so I have a pair of the ER6i on order. They should be here later this week, and were under $80 delivered.

For regular ear plugs I get the purple ones at Walmart.

[craigleo]

I agree with you that ear plugs are the best way to ride. It always has a very 'calming of the mind' kind of effect on me.
After awhile you don't even want to ride without them. One time I was on a ride and lost my earplugs. I bought a pack of plain M&Ms and used one in each ear for the rest of the ride, for the amusement of the idea. They worked quite well, although removing them was...well lets just say, I'm glad there were no witnesses.

[rdsmith3]

Did they melt in your ears?

[iowabeakster]

Bob...

[Hawkman]

I got the Challenger Model M earphones in March 2009. I agonized over the cost ,but I other earbuds/plugs I had tried left my ears red and angry after a ride under a helmet. After a year of use, all I can say it that they are worth it. I have absolutely gotten my 200 dollars worth. They are well made and sturdy. They have become a essential part of my riding gear. They are also great for other things. I use them for shooting (with and without music) and lawn work, and they say that you can swim with them, though I have not dared to attempt this. They are not great for running/exercise (IMO) because they block traffic sounds so well and they transmit all the road shock into your ears which can be distracting.

A note: It takes a little bit of practice to get the molds correct, but with a little patience, and a person with a steady hand it is pretty easy. You can go to a audiologist and get them done but it will cost a little more. If you take photos of the finished molds and send them to the ear plug store people, they can tell you if they molds are good enough. On a side note, the people I dealt with at the earplug store are great and very helpful.

Also it might be worth checking gun shops around you as I have seen some guys offer earplugs like these and you might save some money by going local.

Overall these earplugs a great. Paired with my iPod Shuffle clipped to my cuff, they are awesome.

[Colin]

I use a pair of Skull Candy in-ear headphones with the rubber isolator cup; they work pretty well to eliminate the wind roar.

I'll get a pair of custom molded ones someday.

[Sunbeemer]

I tried various foam plugs, and when I could get them to fit they worked really well, but when they didn't fit just right they were worse than nothing, seems like they actually amplified the noise like a drum.

What I have been using for a couple years are molded-silicone shooter-earplugs ($15+ s/h from Cabelas last time I bought them) and they are nearly as effective as foam plugs but they fit all the time and are easy to install/remove. I won't go back to foam plugs as they were too difficult and fiddly for me to insert, and I won't ride anywhere above 40mph without them.

[Boxer]

If you use those foam ones that you squeeze into a slim bullet shape and insert, then they swell up to fill the ear canal, don't use dirty ones. You'll get an ear infection real fast. Don't ask me how I know this. Plus those flanged covers on the Etymotic ER6 ear buds will insert better if you lick them, but only do that if you are okay with that bitter taste of ear wax.

[angellr]

If you use those foam ones that you squeeze into a slim bullet shape and insert, then they swell up to fill the ear canal, don't use dirty ones. You'll get an ear infection real fast. Don't ask me how I know this. Plus those flanged covers on the Etymotic ER6 ear buds will insert better if you lick them, but only do that if you are okay with that bitter taste of ear wax.

+1

[craigleo]

The M & M's did not melt in my hear. I think though, you may have come up with a new marketing twist on their product. To my knowlege they do not cause infections. Still, IMHO, M&M's are earplugs of last resort. I like the white wax plugs they sell in every motorcycle store, although I have not tried others.
Leo