ear plugs

[killmeyer000]

well, i think this may be the most difficult subject to do a search for. i tried ear* plugs...and got everything about "rear"...and "spark plugs". so, if this has been discussed before, my apologies. so the question is: have any of you found an earplug that cuts the wind noise...but, allows you to still hear your pipes and other important sounds of the road...like horns, people talking to you, etc.? thanks in advance for your replies.

[DLL66]

The cheap foamies do well. I experience this last year when I was doing a ride from Las Vegas-Lake Havasu City-Victorville-Las Vegas. I rented a Road Glide and the first couple of hours I had a lot of wind noise. When I stopped for gas, I got a pair of foamies. I actually could hear the radio way better!

[DeaconK]

The "Hear-o's" work well. I was at a rally in Galveston last year and a vendor was selling the custom made earplugs. They inject them into your ear and then let them cure for an hour. Used them to ride over 200 miles home and could hear the radio and the mechanicals without the wind noise. Best $60 I've spent in a long time.

[84FXRP]

Originally Posted by DLL66

The cheap foamies do well. I experience this last year when I was doing a ride from Las Vegas-Lake Havasu City-Victorville-Las Vegas. I rented a Road Glide and the first couple of hours I had a lot of wind noise. When I stopped for gas, I got a pair of foamies. I actually could hear the radio way better!

I also use the inexpensive green foam plugs for shooting. Available at a sporting goods store. You can control the noise level somewhat by how deep you insert them in your ear canal.

I would expect any ear plug to muffle engine and exhaust noise. I don't have a problem hearing emergency vehicles, trains, etc., but the plugs I use would not work well if you are trying to listen to the radio.

[Klang]

Ditto on the foam inserts. I use the type similar to shooting plugs - my favorites are the flesh-colored, because this particular brand is relatively dense.

I've found that I enjoy the ride much more, feel warmer (that's weird), and hear the radio and my passenger much better. They filter-out the high frequences, and the pipes sound deeper. I've been thinking about getting the custom-made plugs with earbuds built-in - maybe when I get a buck fifty to toss out.

[OldMiC]

You might check here too...

http://www.earplugsonline.com/index.html

I wear them for riding and shooting - a 34 rating is about as good as it gets. I tried the foam plugs, but they just didn't work as well for me.

I should have started wearing them 20 years ago - my hearing is already shot!

[trooper113]

Originally Posted by OldMiC

You might check here too...

http://www.earplugsonline.com/index.html

I wear them for riding and shooting - a 34 rating is about as good as it gets. I tried the foam plugs, but they just didn't work as well for me.

I should have started wearing them 20 years ago - my hearing is already shot!

Thanks....just ordered some.

T113

[apache36]

ok well since i haven't yet had the chance to get my bike yet (stuck in baghdad, and probably gonna get extended)i can say that we got issued a awsome set of plugs there calling them "combat ear plugs". there double sided, green for constant noise, and yellow for sharp sudden noises. i can testify that they work well for buffering the wind noise, since i've been riding on top of a hummer for the last 11 months. the only side i use is the yellow. when you're stoped you can still hear voices at a decent distance, and when you talk back you don't feel like you have to yell at some one. as a matter of fact you can even hear the selector lever on a m-16 go from safe to semi!! the yellow side has a small valve in them that closes with pressure changes. so they definatly cut out wind noises without blocking important ambient noise. so if any one knows some one that's currently deployed, and can gaffel a few pairs get some. there very durable, as i've been using the same set for the entire time i've been here, they clean easily with an alcohol pad.

[5150]

Those earplugs work great....well worth the money spent !

[2CruiserFamily]

I've been flying, riding, and shooting with EARs for over 20 years. Last Sept I had my military flight physical and it was confirmed again, insignificant hearing loss since my first hearing test in 1979. EARs work, they are cheap and you can find them anywhere. To make the investment even cheaper I regularly wash them by leaving them in a flight suit pocket or a pants pocket.

[Flatline]

I"ve use to shoot IPSC matches for years and you really needed plugs to keep the blast form the gun to minimum and be able to hear the R.O. during the match/talk to others without taking the plugs out. Here is what many of us did to keep our hearing.

I would suggest to go to your local hearing aid shop and get a mold done of your ears. Then send them to Hocks Labs in Portland, Oregon for their filters. (been in business for very long time) Anything under 80db you will hear and they will block out noise over 80db. There are other labs or businesses that do the same thing, but this is where I sent mine. Cost was $90 bucks for the pair. Very comfy and you will be able to hear the important things in life. It's nice to get off the bike at the end of the day and not have to say huh all the time and I don't miss the ringing from wind noise after a long day in the saddle.
Just my .02 worth.
Flatline

[DeaconK]

Here is the website for the set that I had made.

http://www.earinc.com/p1-nonelectronic.php

I'm sure they will set you up with a vendor.

[slowdipper]

I have used "Laser Lite" #33 NRR bell shaped foam brand for years in diesel engine power plant facilities. Inexpensive and work great. I like the slightly more dense foam because its easyer to set into the ear, expands better and holds its shape after repeated use. Background noise is still present and talking at normal distance is audible. I bought a removable windshield for long rides and don't need the plugs when this is on. Keep your ears & plugs clean to prevent infection. Protect your ears, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) hearing loss etc. is a *****.

Here's there web site:

http://www.howardleight.com link "single use"

[OldMiC]

Originally Posted by trooper113

Thanks....just ordered some.

T113

You're welcome - I think you'll like 'em.

[killmeyer000]

thank you for your responses so far. by all means, please keep them coming. i can tell you that i tried some of the foam ear plugs and didn't like them. these are the ones that you roll between your fingers and they expand to your ear. they blocked out all sound and i couldn't hear anything. that's not what i want. the ones i used were orange. don't know if that matters or not.