Earplugs!

[Leafeh]

Hi All,

Although I am aware of a previous post that was on this forum that briefly discussed earplugs and the need for them;
Could anyone recommend some decent earplugs, that are available in the UK? I've done some window shopping online, but are there any Standards that would authenticate their quality?


Cheers,
Leafeh

[WhiteNoise]

Amazon shopping, here ya go. Choose yer DB rating as well. Glad you're protecting your hearing http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pairs-Howard-Le ... B0040LKQPY

[iceman]

I've got a pack of 20 similar to those and still using the 1st pair - every now and then I just rinse them to clean them. I only ride 40 max - but they cut down the high pitch wind screel and allow all other sounds though. I also found closing the top vents on the helmet helped a good amount too - and even when it was 30deg+ never noticed an issue with them closed.

[yak]

@iceman, thanks for the tip about closing the top vent to cut down on wind noise. I will try that.

My favorite earplugs are made of Soft Silicone. The local drugstore sells them cheap. You don't push them into your ear. You mostly mold them around the ear opening. When i used the earplugs that go deep into the ear canal, the ear doctor showed me that i was pushing earwax back into my ear while my ear was trying to push the wax out of my ear.

[WhiteNoise]

yak, you're good! I use those silicone ones too. I like them best. Form fitted. Like you said, don't push them in, just form to your outer ear. They come in sizes. Was it Walgreens? I will look now. Wait.
Okay, Got it!
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mack's ... 11-product

[mannyaguilar]

Looks like the silicone ones get dirty after some use (packaging says 5 uses, I am sure they will last longer). Also, the one that are made of foam like the ones posted from amazon get oily pretty fast (they are supposed to be disposable one day use). I use ear plugs all day every work day due to machine noise and we use the foam type for the shop people since they can use it for a day and throw them away.
I don't like them because I need to get them in and out like 20 times a day since I am in the office 50% of the time and the other 50% in the shop so the ones I like after trying dozens of different ones through the years are these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037F ... detailpage
They are reusable, washable (soap and water) and the string is removable. A pair lasts me 6 months or so and I get them in and out 20 times a day. The rubber starts to fall apart due to the handling. I couldn't find them on Amazon UK but I am sure you can find similar ones.

[WhiteNoise]

^^manny, I tried using them too. Good write up. But, no go for me. My ear canals are just to small and they stuck out too far. My full face would drag them out when I put it on/off. P.I.T.A.
The Foam ones can be trimmed and they're mushy enough to work in > (carefully) <. Then ya toss them out after a use or two. I have a box full of the Howard Leight's (the ones I posted in link above).
All individually wrapped. Nice. They're cheap that you won't feel guilty while tossing out.
This is Just me-n-me ears preferring the silicone "shape me ones" as number 1 and the Howard Leight's as a 2nd.
It's a process to find the ones You yourself are comfy with. If you're lucky,...real lucky, you're ears will be comfy will any type.
Raise yer Glass n Cheers to that!!

[mannyaguilar]

^^manny, I tried using them too. Good write up. But, no go for me. My ear canals are just to small and they stuck out too far. My full face would drag them out when I put it on/off. P.I.T.A.
The Foam ones can be trimmed and they're mushy enough to work in > (carefully) <. Then ya toss them out after a use or two. I have a box full of the Howard Leight's (the ones I posted in link above).
All individually wrapped. Nice. They're cheap that you won't feel guilty while tossing out.
This is Just me-n-me ears preferring the silicone "shape me ones" as number 1 and the Howard Leight's as a 2nd.
It's a process to find the ones You yourself are comfy with. If you're lucky,...real lucky, you're ears will be comfy will any type.
Raise yer Glass n Cheers to that!!

You are right. I guess it depends on individual conditions like if you have narrow ear canals, and you are also right that the foam ones are cheap, like 9 cents each if you buy them in bulk (bag of 200 pairs $18.99 at amazon USA) and you can trim them.

A good tip for those that will try them for the first time: Roll the foam plug like a taco, then with one hand pull your ear lobe down to open the ear canal and then insert the plug. It will expand inside the ear canal and give you excellent noise insulation.

[sladey]

Hi, new here but I got some custom made ones from these guys, they are based in Kent and take a mould of each ear and then make you a perfectly fitted set, you can get the moulds done locally for a charge or have a trip there like I did. IIRC they cost around £70 but have been great, easy to clean too.

http://www.ultimateear.com/

[fun2scoot]

Mighty Plugs are easily the best earplugs (for me) I have ever used for motorcycling. They are slightly quieter than the Howerd Leights, and really help on the road by blocking the higher frequencies of wind noise. I can hear my heartbeat with them in.
They are all natural and reusable. I have reinserted the same pair for about a hundred uses over two months.
They definitely take some practice to use, and, at first I feared they might leave something inside, but it never happens.
I squish each one till it's putty-like, make it cone-shaped, gently push the cone right into the ear canal and flatten the rest against the ear bell.
DON'T LEAVE THEM IN THE SUN!