What ear plugs provide the best protection!

[Jerry_75_Guy]

I thought I, more or less, knew the answer to this question, but now have

doubts.

 

I spent this last monday and part of the next (early!) morning completeing my

first (do people really do these things twice!?!?) BBG.

 

I'm still debating whether or not to do a write up since I'm not sure what I

learned from the experience other than " it was hard", but I did notice a problem when I got home.

 

I had custom earplugs made (no speaker plugs yet) a little more than a year ago, and prior to that used the disposable kind.

 

I assumed that the custom plugs were, pretty much, as good as it gets, and went on my merry way.

 

After 1574 mi and 22.5 hrs of riding, I get home and upon removing my helmet notice a constant dull roar, just like the whine I'd hear for a day or two after going to a loud concert when I was younger, but a lower pitch.

 

I know all of this means I've sustained some damage and hearing loss as a result of the noise on the ride.

 

This is really irritating since I've always tried to be very careful with my hearing and exposure to noise given that my work environment and riding, both, can be very noisey.

 

The maker of my custom plugs claimed a 30db noise reduction, and they do seem to perform much better than the disposables I've used.

 

So, besides getting a quieter fullface helmet, and making sure the plugs arn't rubbing on something and conducting noise, am I missing something?

 

Are there plugs with higher db reduction values? Because I clearly need better protection: if I noticed damage on a long trip, I'm sure I'm getting it on shorter trips also; it's just not immediately appearent.

[RichEdwards]

I use "Max", pre-shaped foam earplugs from Howard Leight Hearing Protection. They have a 33 decibel noise reduction rating. They work better than anything I've used (including my Arizona Al custom earplugs) at reducing wind noise. They are disposable and should be tossed after a couple of days use because their compression/expansion ability diminishes and they don't work as effectively.

[Bob Palin]

While 30db is a considerable reduction, and just about the best I've found in earplugs, it still leaves enough noise to affect your hearing if you are exposed to it for 20 hours straight! Exposure time is a factor in hearing damage as well as loudness so it may not have nearly such an effect if you are only exposed for a few hours.

 

Here is a web page with a table of noise and max exposure

 

http://www.american-hearing.org/name/noise_induced.html

[smiller]

I don't know that you've necessarily suffered any permanent damage as a result of that one ride, but you're certainly right to be concerned about the long-term effects of excessive noise.

 

30dB is pretty near about as good as it gets for earplugs but I would question if you are really getting that much attenuation. If the custom earplugs are not made properly or not worn properly then that figure can reduce down to nothing pretty quickly. Foam earplugs are very good but they too must be inserted properly if they are to achieve their rated noise reduction figure and probably more often than not they are being used improperly. Another possibility is that the earplugs are doing their job and you are being subjected to a very high noise level by your helmet, or by a bad combination of helmet and windscreen -- that can be a killer in terms of noise. You might want to experiment a bit more to see if you can determine which of these problems you might have.

[Michael Fajans]

I've done very many miles this year with Max 33's mentioned above. After 38 years using no protection under a 3/4 helmet and with no windshield (and undoubtedly a significant hearing loss) long distance has become an entirely different experience. That much noise subtracted from all the other physical sensations one experiences at the end of a 600 mile day, reduces my level of exhaustion and recovery time exponentially. My wife, who has spent much time studying the effects of noise on hearing, health and behavior believes the Max 33's are the best available and always has some with her to give away if the subject arises. When I don't lose them or get them dirty beyond even my lax standards they are still effective through at least three days. It takes a few attempts to learn to insert them correctly.

[Jon_M]

I also use the Leight Max 33s and agree that they work very well. That said, at the end of a hundred-mile ride, I still have an audible buzz for the first minute or two after I stop and take the helmet off, even though I have a good full-face Arai, usually have the face shield down, and ride behind a good adjustable windscreen.

[Limecreek]

After 3 years of trial and error, including the purchase of a set of custom ear plugs, I settled on Hearos, foam ear plugs. They are the blue ones, good for 33 dB of attenuation, or so they claim. They are comfortable for hours of use and seal very well for 1-3 insertions, after that I pitch them.

 

I have some high frequency loss, and I'm sure I'll be a candidate for hearing assistance down the road. I'll do whatever it takes to hang onto the hearing I have left.

 

Try several brands, and like others have pointed out, the fit is as important as the attenuation claims on the package.

[eakins]

I use "Max", pre-shaped foam earplugs from Howard Leight Hearing Protection. They have a 33 decibel noise reduction rating. They work better than anything I've used (including my Arizona Al custom earplugs) at reducing wind noise. They are disposable and should be tossed after a couple of days use because their compression/expansion ability diminishes and they don't work as effectively.

these?

http://www.howardleight.com/products/products2.asp?id=4

where to buy online?

[Bob Palin]

where to buy online?

I've bought earplugs from here before http://tinyurl.com/c2586

 

That is a link directly to the orange MAX, they have many others including "patriotic" MAXs (British, Dutch, French and American) They also have blue MAXs specially for law enforcement!

[Jon_M]

About where to buy Leights, I just grab them a couple of 5-pair packs at a time from Rite-Aid. You can go online and buy a bajillion at once and no doubt save money, but I just pick them up along with the toothpaste and floss. If I were a higher-mileage rider, I would no doubt reconsider.

[sgendler]

The custom plugs should, if made and inserted correctly, offer much better attenuation across the frequency spectrum than foam plugs. The 33db rating you see on foam plus refers to a single frequency or small band within the overall range, where the volujme is attenuated by 33db. In other places in the spectrum, they often atenuate much less or not at all. Wind noise exists across the frequency spectrum, so you are far better with a plug with a flatter frequency response, even if it doesn't attenuate quite as much at the frequency of max attenuation.

 

As for the rining in your ears, I[m told that experiencing a ringing does not necessarily mean you've had permanent damage. Mre often than notm, it does not. It does mean that you've exceeded you ears' threshold for damage, however, so they need recovery time, if they haven't suffered permanent damage. Stay away from loud noise for 3 days, and try to avoid days that long on the bike int he future, at least at those speeds.

 

Incidentally, there are drugs that an ear,nose, throat specialist can give you withtint eh first 72 hours after having damage which CAN help repair damage that would otherwise be permanent. If the ringing isn't gone within 12 hours of the end of your ride, go see an ENT doc immediately.

 

And definitely look at a quieter helmet and different windshield if this is a common problem. Helmets with protuberances on the shell right over the ear (Arai and others) are MUCH louder than those that are totally smooth in that area (Shoei, Schubert). A quiet helmet is worth just about any amount to a smart touring rider, in my opinion. The $700 price tag on a schubert is nothing compared to going deaf at a young age.

 

--sam

[Hermes]

I usually ride with AZ Al's plugs (with or without music) but, on some occasions when I get tired of the relatively hard texture, I resort to my old stand-by:

Wax and cotton earplugs. They come in a plastic container, usually 6 pairs and are usually available at Wal-M, K-Mart, Zellers or even at Pharmacies. Inexpensive but very effective. You warm them between your fingers until good and plyable and then press them into your ear canal. I find they are usually too large so I take of a little of the wax and cotton b4 use.

Once they are inside your ear, your are just about deaf and the good thing is they stay in place and don't pop.Use for a couple of days and then go on to the next pair.

I met a couple on a RT around Lander, Wyoming and she was complaing about the noise, I offered her a pair of my (earplugs!) and when she had them correctly seated, she was shouting to us how quiete it was, well not for us!

Try it, what can you loose.

Jurgen

[Warren_H]

I was out of ear plugs, got some Hearos and for some reason I read the directions. They will go deeper in your ear canal when you tug your ear as you insert the plug it must give a straighter path or something.

[Jon_M]

And definitely look at a quieter helmet and different windshield if this is a common problem. Helmets with protuberances on the shell right over the ear (Arai and others) are MUCH louder than those that are totally smooth in that area (Shoei, Schubert).

This is an interesting and useful post, but one part puzzles me. What protuberance on the Arai are you referring to? The only thing on my full-face that fits that description are the hinges for the flip-up shield, and what full face doesn't have those? I've considered the Arai to be a comfortable and reasonably quiet lid, but am willing to be educated. On the same subject, I have heard some complaints that the Schuberth is loud.

 

When I am riding with the Leight foam plugs, I can hear the engine (muted), a little bit of wind noise, some extra-loud cars, trucks, and cycles, and things like sirens and horns (also muted). On the very rare occasions when I ride a short distance without plugs, I am amazed at what I used to put up with. So, on the whole, I think I am doing a pretty good job of protecting my remaining hearing, but I do worry about that few minutes of buzz when I first take the helmet off. If that is a clue that I could do better, then by all means I'll try.

[woodscrew]

I recently had a set of custom earplugs made at a local audiologist, thinking that they would be quieter and more comfortable than the foam disposables I'd been using.They are more comfortable and easier to insert but nowhere near as quiet as I'd hoped-much louder than the foam plugs. I wore them for two days on a 12 day trip and had severe ringing in my ears both days. I switched back to the foam plugs and could not believe how much quieter they were.I'm using leight max-lite plugs, the green ones. Good for 30 decibels.I feel like I wasted $100.A friend of mine who runs mc tours for a living had the same disappointing experience w/custom plugs and now uses max-lite greens (why I do now too). Also I have finally mastered proper insertion,pulling down on my lobes,lots of pushing ,wiggling etc.My right ear is harder to get a proper seat and I can always hear when I didn't get it right.

[peb]

I have been buying my earplugs at Wal-Mart, about $2 for a dozen. They are orange foam. I cannot remember the name or thier rating, but they block a lot of the noise and are very comfortable. I insert them as deep in my ear canal as possible. They also work well when I am using my firearms (outdoors only). When I am at an indoor firing range I use them plus ear muff type protection.

[sgendler]

And definitely look at a quieter helmet and different windshield if this is a common problem. Helmets with protuberances on the shell right over the ear (Arai and others) are MUCH louder than those that are totally smooth in that area (Shoei, Schubert).

This is an interesting and useful post, but one part puzzles me. What protuberance on the Arai are you referring to? The only thing on my full-face that fits that description are the hinges for the flip-up shield, and what full face doesn't have those? I've considered the Arai to be a comfortable and reasonably quiet lid, but am willing to be educated. On the same subject, I have heard some complaints that the Schuberth is loud.

 

The Shoei face shields mount totally flush to the helmet. Arai helmets have those plastic covers over the hinge mechanism that stick out into the airflow. The Schubert Concept flip front helmet is very noisy. The new Schubert (I don't know what it is called, but it is NOT a flip face helmet) is said to be the quietest helmet made. I have no personal experience but it was engineered for quietness. There are other hlemets with flush mountings for the shield. I believe the KBC my dad bought had a mechanism similar to the Shoei.

 

--sam

[Rider1200RT]

When travelling for weeks on end, I found the combo of AZ Al's custom plugs for music etc., and Hearos quite good. I have very sensative hearing to the point of driving me nuts at times, and so I must use the best stuff I can find. I think that the trick is to use different plugs with variuous attenuation so your ears are not getting used to hearing the same frequencies all the time. The highest Db reduction is about 33-35 db attenuation. Custom plugs bring it to about 38 Db. If you can find a few well fitting plugs try them out and see if your hearing is less affected. BTW riding for 22 hrs is kinda hard on more than your ears I guess .

[Jon_M]

Again, helpful information. I'll start looking more closely. My Arai is now three years old and there must have been some significant changes in design since then.

[Jerry_75_Guy]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the input!

 

Just to 'flesh' out the picture a tiny bit more, I replaced my OEM windshield with a Cee Baileys a couple of years ago (model #2,

eurocut, 2" wider than OEM and 4" taller I think), and

my ride was immediately quieter. Helmet: Nolan 100e.

I'll probably stay with the flip face; my thin wire rim glasses are a pain to put on and take off w/a regular full face. And I'm pretty confident than I am inserting my

custom plugs properly.

 

I do think the Nolan is part of the problem. Aside from

the high price, I really wanted a Schuberth, but it simply

didn't fit the shape of my head.

 

So there we are. I do think exposure time, particularly

in this instance, is key, but still think there must be

"a better way". I've used the Leight's at work, and I'll have to order some and try them again.

 

I've also been toying from some time with the idea of

cutting out the liner foam around the ears and inserting

some gel ear seals from one of my headsets and a small gel

pad in the earcup, to provide better attenuation.

 

We'll see. Lots of other things on my plate at the moment;

sounds like a winter project

[Bill_Walker]

When travelling for weeks on end, I found the combo of AZ Al's custom plugs for music etc., and Hearos quite good.

 

Just to clarify, are you saying you insert the Hearos and then insert the custom plugs at the same time, or are you saying you alternate between using the Hearos and using the custom plugs? If you're using two sets at once, do you have any problem removing the Hearos later?

[Blue Beemer Dude]

I think that the trick is to use different plugs with variuous attenuation so your ears are not getting used to hearing the same frequencies all the time.

 

I never really thought about "why" this is, but I have also noticed that if I switch types/brands of plugs during a ride, I seem to do much better, both in ear comfort and noise comfort.

 

Since Rita I've been commuting on the bike quite a bit more (47 MPG versus 19 MPG) and will sometimes go without plugs if running errands on the way home, or just lazy. It's amazing how much the whole experience changes.

 

Michael

[Waltman]

First of, how old are you? hearing decays as as you get older (just like anything else). If symptons lasted a few minutes, then I would not worry about it.

 

However, what you describe seems to me requires your Dr. take a look at it. Have you done so? You may have tinnitus. . . "Such luminaries as Pete Townshend and Ted Nugent (8) have acquired substantial hearing losses and are now campaigning for hearing conservation (Murphy, 1989). Some studies point to a hearing hazard for attendees as well (see in Clark, 1991; Clark and Bohne, 1986; Danenberg et al.,1987)."

 

Excerpt from: Noise and its effects

 

You may not need earplugs at all if you don't take care of it.

[Newt]

Tried an experiment today on my commute from work. I went to the shipping department and got some scrap sponge packing foam and cut little triangles to fit in the void in the helmet where my ears fit in my Shoei RF1000. I put my earplugs in, put my helmet on, and then stuffed the triangles through front of the helmet into the voids. This made a HUGE difference in wind noise on my ride home. Its a hassle to stick the triangles in this way. I was also successful just putting the triangles in first, then putting on the helmet and sticking my fingers up through the bottom to adjust the foam into place. I have only tried this once, but it looks like it won't be the last time. Has any on else tried this? Is there an after market product to accomplish the same thing?

[Waltman]

I'm wearing now an open face helmet and yes it's noisy, but great in hot weather. However, the weather has turned a bit colder, so today I wore my balaclava covering down my neck as well. Big difference. Noticed that wind noise is down considerably. Wind noise is very annoying but being hard core riders as we are, we can (pardon the pun) ride it out

 

On the other hand my wax build up is rather high so that helps damp the noise

[eakins]

where to buy online?

I've bought earplugs from here before http://tinyurl.com/c2586

 

That is a link directly to the orange MAX, they have many others including "patriotic" MAXs (British, Dutch, French and American) They also have blue MAXs specially for law enforcement!

thanks bob!

[mwheels]

My experience in trying several types of foam (inexpensive) earplugs was not up to what I expected. So at the last RA BMW rally in Shelbyville, TN., I purchased a set of customized earplugs from one of the vendors. I couldn't wait to try them out on the ride home, and they worked great. My only surprise was that they were so quiet that I could not hear the bike shift through the gears, which was weird in some way. It was as if I was not on the same bike --apparently I rely on some bike noise and road sounds for the riding experience.