Ear Plugs, What are you using?

[JustinNck1]

I am guilty of it, I've never worn ear plugs while riding the motorcycle. Both trips home from the gap this year, I slabbed the majority of the way home and noticed I had a slight ringing at the end of the day. So, I figured I need to consider hearing protection. I've always used the cheap foam plugs for shooting guns and when working in industrial environments, but I wanted to try some of these "filtered" ear plugs that block certain frequencies. I went to my ENT specialist to see about getting molded plugs made. For a high frequency filter molded ear plug, they were gonna be $175. Insurance does not cover them either (I asked ) So, I just ordered a set of these to try. If i don't care for the fit, I may just bite the bullet and get the molded ones. What hearing protection are you using?

https://www.earpeace.com/products/earplugs?variant=1144791724

[magley64]

Cheap foam on rides I expect to be more than an hour.

[rawlins87]

I've used the cheap foam ones but have been curious about the molded. No experience with them but supposed to be worth it. 

[MSerfozo]

Howard Leight Maxlite foam plugs.  The most comfortable I've found.  Sometimes I have to work in a noisy factory environment and I can wear these all day long.  I get them at work, but I would buy them if I had to.  These are NRR30.

 

Howard Leight Maxlite at Amazon

[cptchaos]

Yep, cheap foamies here too but I bought a bulk box at Fastenal. I tried the filtering style and they are pretty good too but not substantially better than foamies. 

[hiro]

My current ear plugs. Claims NPR 33. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Flents-Quiet-Contour-Foam-Ear-Plugs-20ct/17324930

Had these before that. Same claim. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Flents-Plugs-Quiet-Time-Comfort-Foam-Ear-10-Pr/10318441

If it's worth putting gear on, I use the ear plugs. That's 99 ⁴⁴⁄100% of the time.

[Tonik]

I use a different version of the Howard Leight because I have narrow ear canals.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003628ODO/ref=pd_aw_fbt_328_img_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QQDT5TXG702QVB96F4EX

[mello dude]

I have been using ....Hearos Ultimate Softness Series foam plus for years. NRR32 and all day comfortable. Tried plenty of others but keep coming back to these. Available near everywhere and cheap...

[blue72beetle]

I use these, but they're molded around earbuds. They work great at blocking unwanted noise, and even with the music going, I can hear what I need to around me (traffic, sirens, etc). http://earfuze.com/ It does get a little old having to plug the cord into the Sena every time I put the helmet on though.

I have been thinking about trying just the Sena speakers in my helmet and wearing earplugs, but I feel like the sound quality (of the music) would be awful. Anybody have any input on that?

Edited June 18, 2017 by blue72beetle

[Tonik]

36 minutes ago, blue72beetle said:

 

I have been thinking about trying just the Sena speakers in my helmet and wearing earplugs, but I feel like the sound quality (of the music) would be awful. Anybody have any input on that?

That is the way I roll. Volume drops but is still good and quality is acceptable. Its not as good, but certainly not awful.

[mango_sv]

https://www.plugfones.com/hearing-protection/motorcycle-earplugs/

 

Hearing protection and music in one. You can typically find them at Menards with the other hearing protection. For $25, they are great. 

[thompsonian]

I used to use a kind called Sparkplugs by Moldex I think was the brand. But now I just use whatever I can get my hands on from work. It took a while to get used to riding with them, but now I can't stand to ride without them.

[ScubaCinci]

I used the sparkplugz too when I got them free from the production area at work but they aren't available there anymore so I switched to hearos...on sale at Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JXYH042

[electrode]

12 hours ago, Tonik said:

That is the way I roll. Volume drops but is still good and quality is acceptable. Its not as good, but certainly not awful.

This works well for me. The Sena  is probably the best upgrade I have done for long distance riding.

[JackImpact]

https://www.amazon.com/Eargasm-Musicians-Motorcycles-Sensitivity-Disorders/dp/B01LDSPSPO/ref=pd_bxgy_267_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01LDSPSPO&pd_rd_r=MR330ZQSMTT4KTTNXWYB&pd_rd_w=koc2i&pd_rd_wg=oofm9&psc=1&refRID=MR330ZQSMTT4KTTNXWYB

 

Eargasm. 

[TimTheAzn]

I prefer these. Only use the black ones though.

 

 

[jacobhawkins]

I got a set of molded plugs for work.  They were ok, but not as comfortable as I expected.  I went back to the foam ones and am a happy camper.  No issues using them with my communicator.

[JustinNck1]

Rode to work this morning with my new ear plugs. I can hear my sena decent, the wind noise is cut down considerably. It is taking some getting used to though. The FJR was already quiet, now I can barely hear it.

[jacobhawkins]

On 6/20/2017 at 9:14 PM, Isaac's Papa said:

Wind noise is the sole purpose for the ear plugs. Operational status. 

Exactly, that high frequency hiss for hours at a time will destroy your hearing.  Hearing aids still suck and cost as much as a good motorcycle.

[CBBaron]

Moldex 6800 pura-fit

I got a sampler pack from the earplug superstore and I liked these the best.

http://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp.html?_s_icmp=HOMEBAR1_TRIAL_PACKS

So I picked up a case. 

http://www.earplugstore.com/mopufit3bof2.html

Should last me for a few years.

[RCBS]

1 hour ago, CBBaron said:

Moldex 6800 pura-fit

I got a sampler pack from the earplug superstore and I liked these the best.

http://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp.html?_s_icmp=HOMEBAR1_TRIAL_PACKS

So I picked up a case. 

http://www.earplugstore.com/mopufit3bof2.html

Should last me for a few years.

These are my favorite as well.  Use on the bike, when mowing or weedeating, shooting, etc.  Cheap and disposable.  I tried molded (do it yourself) and was not impressed.  Also, the reusable/molded types need to be cleaned often.  I bought a set of the Plugfones mentioned above.  I find them a little uncomfortable and they don't stay put.  Great concept though.  Maybe if they used the foam like Moldex uses they would be better? 

[hiro]

How many times can foam be re-used? They seem to need recovery time between taking them out and using them again.

Edited June 23, 2017 by hiro

[Tonik]

Depends.

[ScubaCinci]

14 minutes ago, Tonik said:

Depends.

Those go on your ass...a little big to shove in your ears

[Tonik]

Thats Depend. No s.

Depends was in answer to Hiros question. Depends on ambient air temp, relative density of the foam, how long the have been in your ears, temp of your ear canal and believe it or not even your current altitude can impact the expansion recovery speed of foam plugs.

Or you can just put them back in your ears and ride. Thats what I do