Earplugs

[Bob Ledford]

EAR protection

I got started using ear protection after my first time on the machine gun firing range. Could not hear diddly squat for 5 days. First type I tried were Sonic ear valves for impact noises like gun shots, hand grenades an artillery simulators. Worked great. Then one of senior NCO's found that he could buy ear muff types for our truck and track drivers. They worked great as long as you were in a non combat phase. Then the Army started to get smart and issued everyone a set of ear plugs made out of silicone rubber with three flanges on them . They were a real trip to insert and use. You took your right hand and placed it over the top of your head. Grabbed your left ear with the right hand an pulled up on the ear. Using the left hand you inserted the plug until it either hurt or bottomed out. You could not hear anything but your heart pumping. You switched hands and ears for the right side. Very unpopular with the troops for comfort or hearing. The best one I ever found for overall comfort, noise reduction, all day wearability and ease of insert action is a product by the name of E.A.R. They are small cylinders of yellow dense foam cell rubber. You take one and roll it or compress it by rolling between your thumb and index fingers. When it is as small as you can get it you insert it into your ear canal and put your finger over the hole and it self expands till is expanded to its max. When they get dirty you wash them in a sock and air dry. They are great!

 

[Bob Denman]

I wish that I could get my hands on a set of those Military Silicone plugs...
They'd be great; for when the Missus gets on a tear! :lecturef_smilie: :roflblack:

 

[Jeriatric]

http://www.earinc.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=29

I got started using ear protection after my first time on the machine gun firing range. Could not hear diddly squat for 5 days. First type I tried were Sonic ear valves for impact noises like gun shots, hand grenades an artillery simulators. Worked great. Then one of senior NCO's found that he could buy ear muff types for our truck and track drivers. They worked great as long as you were in a non combat phase. Then the Army started to get smart and issued everyone a set of ear plugs made out of silicone rubber with three flanges on them . They were a real trip to insert and use. You took your right hand and placed it over the top of your head. Grabbed your left ear with the right hand an pulled up on the ear. Using the left hand you inserted the plug until it either hurt or bottomed out. You could not hear anything but your heart pumping. You switched hands and ears for the right side. Very unpopular with the troops for comfort or hearing.


★★★★★
The best one I ever found for overall comfort, noise reduction, all day wearability and ease of insert action is a product by the name of E.A.R. They are small cylinders of yellow dense foam cell rubber. You take one and roll it or compress it by rolling between your thumb and index fingers. When it is as small as you can get it you insert it into your ear canal and put your finger over the hole and it self expands till is expanded to its max. When they get dirty you wash them in a sock and air dry. They are great!

 

[OJ UK]

+1 on EAR plugs

I started out with EAR Classics, that's the compressible foam type that you roll between finger and thumb
to enable easy insertion but then I discovered their Soft FX plugs which are even easier and last much longer.
They also have an SNR of 39 (39dB silencing) which is one of the highest figures on the market.
I'll bring some with me to SF and give them to anyone interested. 'Kay?

 

[bruiser]

Check out www.earplugstore.com

We were required to wear ear protection when I was working. All plants that I went to supplied ear protection in one form or another, but not all ear protection could be worn in all plants. :hun: In other words, brand A foam plugs were not allowed in food plants because they weren't the proper color and not metal detectable. Brand B didn't comply with the required time weighted average in the metal forge plant. So I just went with what they had available. Some plants required muffs. I had my own. I found Laser Lite soft foam plugs by Walter Leight to be very comfortable and easy to use. I use plugs when I'm flying and now when I go to the movies. Especially if it's an action movie. I use muffs on the outdoor range and muffs and plugs at the indoor range.

 

[jaherbst]

After 35 years flying jets all over the world and riding/racing motorcycles I guess I am lucky to be able to hear at all or should I say to be here at all! The last 15 years were on the 747 which is the loudest cockpit in the world (wind Noise). All three cockpit crew members wore ear plugs or ear molds. Yes we could still hear the radio. Usually an ear mold headset in one ear and foam or ear mold in the other. After 12-16 hours of flying time if you did not wear these your ears would ring for days and the fatigue factor was tripled.

Your Helmet wind noise is the same. I strongly recommend a good full face helmet and some sort of ear protection with bluetooth helmet speakers.

 

[Showie]

My wife has been researching this but I wonder how well do ear plugs work with comm systems like Sena? Any input!

 

[Bob Denman]

Why not just get a set of those 50 cent foam plugs, and give it a try? :dontknow:

 

[nhoj]

My wife has been researching this but I wonder how well do ear plugs work with comm systems like Sena? Any input!

We use the "RADIANS CUSTOM MOLDED EAR PLUGS". Its a two-part moldable kit you fit yourself. With the SENA's we can hear each other just fine and the wind/road noise is minimized. (NRR 26 dB)

RADIANS Product Site

The kits are available from Amazon for $12.50 even less on eBay.

http://www.amazon.com/Radians-Custom-Molded-Earplugs-Blue/dp/B003A28OW6

 

[NancysToy]

My wife has been researching this but I wonder how well do ear plugs work with comm systems like Sena? Any input!

We wear earplugs all the time using our Starcom1 comm system. You may have to adjust the system volume a bit. Be sure both of you are wearing them or both are not, otherwise the volume is loud for one and low for the other.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I'm confused. What exactly are you guys discussing, in-ear plugs simply to cut all the noise, audio ear plugs (ear buds) to listen to audio, w/ helmet or w/o helmet, foam plugs in conjunction with helmet and helmet speakers, or just what? :hun::dontknow:

I use a Nolan N104 helmet with helmet speakers wire connected to the audio. I've never noticed any significant, or at least not tolerable, noise level with the helmet on. In fact, I have to take it off to have a normal conversation with anyone. It's almost like having ear muffs on.

 

[Dan_Ashley]

I'm confused. What exactly are you guys discussing, in-ear plugs simply to cut all the noise, audio ear plugs (ear buds) to listen to audio, w/ helmet or w/o helmet, foam plugs in conjunction with helmet and helmet speakers, or just what? :hun::dontknow:

I use a Nolan N104 helmet with helmet speakers wire connected to the audio. I've never noticed any significant, or at least not tolerable, noise level with the helmet on. In fact, I have to take it off to have a normal conversation with anyone. It's almost like having ear muffs on.

I ride with either a 3/4 or 1/2 helmet. It is loud. We are discussing earplugs to reduce the volume.

 

[NancysToy]

Even with a full-faced helmet noise levels can exceed levels allowed by OSHA for industry. Earplugs are good for protecting your long-term hearing if you ride.

 

[jaherbst]

There is a big difference in noise reduction at speed with a full face helmet but not enough. The combination of the full face helmet plus the ear plugs will make a substantial difference. Face shield down of course.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

There is a big difference in noise reduction at speed with a full face helmet but not enough. The combination of the full face helmet plus the ear plugs will make a substantial difference. Face shield down of course.

And impact on headset volume is?

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk

 

[NancysToy]

And impact on headset volume is?

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There is some, but it is not excessive. I turn up my volume two notches with the plugs in. You actually can make out what is said much better, because most of the noise is removed. I resisted wearing earplugs for a long time, but when I finally tried them I was converted for life.

I might add that the earplugs do make it even more important that your helmet speakers are correctly located...right over the earhole. If the speakers are too far from your ear, the earplugs drown them out very quickly.

 

[pwilbarger]

A year or so ago Motorcycle Consumer News published a test of all the different types ear plugs. They ended up recommending the orange soft foam tapered plugs. I bought an assortment of plugs from Aerostich for my own test. Ended the only ones that didn't make my ears soar under my helmet were those same orange foam buggers. I've been using those ever since riding, mowing, etc. The ones I just bought today at the grocery store came four pairs in plastic storage case for $1.50 on close out (discontinued) with NRR of 33. They are the store brand (TopCare) and made in the USA. I got two boxes, one for the Spyder and one for the garage.


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[jScotD]

huh? can you turn your lips towards me so I can read them..

my hearing is shot.. doesn't matter to me.. a high volume rock and roll band in the 70's with me being the sound man probably helped.. along with drag racing...cross country motorcycle trips.. more than I can count.... the angels are always singing in my ears..

been a long time since I hung out in NYC...

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

huh? can you turn your lips towards me so I can read them..

I worked with a guy who was pretty much deaf. In meetings he would occasionally say, "Wait just a minute. I need to put my glasses on so I can hear your!"

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

And impact on headset volume is?

There is some, but it is not excessive. I turn up my volume two notches with the plugs in. You actually can make out what is said much better, because most of the noise is removed. I resisted wearing earplugs for a long time, but when I finally tried them I was converted for life.

I might add that the earplugs do make it even more important that your helmet speakers are correctly located...right over the earhole. If the speakers are too far from your ear, the earplugs drown them out very quickly.

Thanks. That clears it up quite nicely.