ear plugs

[BRADFORDBENN]

Originally posted by KBasa
Cliffy's just wired.

Totally. That's why we love him.

KBasa, I think you spelled that wrong. it is weird.

[DZIMBRIC]

My humble .02 worth
I got my silicone molded ear plugs with speakers the other day and I like them a lot.
I used the foam plugs for a long time but the new silicone ones are superior, though it is hard to rationalize the price against the free ones at work.
I use the earplug speakers for tunes and then use the chatterbox helmet speakers for bike to bike/passenger intercom and the radar detector. The speakers help block some of the noise instead of adding to the noise.
This works for me since I have lost a lot of my hearing and want to protect what I have left.

[dlearl476]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by knary
hmm.. A little digging on-line suggests otherwise.
max lites...


My bad, I just bought a new package of L-Sleepers the other day and I saw that on some other packages at Walgreen's. Not absolutely certain the other pair were Hearos, but one definitely WAS MaxLeights. Maybe they have different versions.

And now, for something completely different:

I got my new
xma3 V.2 today and did one little ride to check it out. Once I got the volumes set for the XM and V1 it was very nice, then I concentrated on the ride. 80? here today! WooHoo. Once I get a little more time with the audio set-up, and have some photos of the box to hold it all, I'll post a bit on the board.

[Mar]

I use Howard Leight Laser Lites. The NRR is 32 decibels. These plugs are made for those with narrow ear canals and my ears are much happier since I've been using them. Other plugs make my ears hurt after an hour or so. I bought a box of 200 from Gempler's (www.gemplers.com) a couple years ago.

[GERALD]

Thanks for all of the replies, this forum and its members are great.
I took a 200 mile trip yesterday on a beautiful, but windy day. I
used a pair of Hearos ear plugs that I recently purchased.

The wind noise level was still quite loud to me. I might add that I
have a Schuberth Concept helmet which I understand is one of
the noisier helmets.

Last night at the local BMW meeting one of the other RT owners
gave me a pair of Max Lite ear plugs. I did not take my Rt to the
meeting as I was doing a St Patrick's day gig in the same strip
mall so I had to wear my kilt and carry my drum.

The club is going to take a day ride for lunch saturday so I'll try
the Max Lites out then.

I did discover that it indeed helps if you lift the upper part of your
ear when inserting the ear plugs as the Hearos recommends. I
tried that on the return trip and it did help a bit.

Thanks again for all of the replies.

Gerald

[cuervo]

3 pages on earplugs and hear's one more reply:

I use the standard yellow barrel-shaped foam earplugs, BUT, I cut off about 1/8" so that they don't stick out of my ear and rub the helmet. No scientific data, but shortening them this little bit does not seem to reduce their effectiveness very much.

I carry them around in a reusable container so that when a pair goes old, I can toss them and just add a new pair in the case.

[iRene]

Speaking of foam earplugs
a Nameless Riding Acquaintance of mine pops
his gently used foam earplugs into his mouth
and MOISTENS them before reinserting them.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWW!

Tell me, Dear Abby, am I just a prude?

[dlearl476]

Originally posted by iRene
Speaking of foam earplugs
a Nameless Riding Acquaintance of mine pops
his gently used foam earplugs into his mouth
and MOISTENS them before reinserting them.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWW!

Tell me, Dear Abby, am I just a prude?

I wouldn't go so far as to pop mine in my mouth, but I regularly moisten mine up with a wet finger. Makes the moulds slip into place better and the moisture helps seal as well as makes the moulds more comfortable for long term wear. I find the dry silicone gets uncomfortable pretty fast. Several people have suggested baby oil or lotion, but thats just something else to remember to put in tank bag. Spit, I always have plenty!
Yes, I've got a few weird looks at gas stations, who cares.

[wgraybuckley]

The larger gun shows usually have an EAR rep. Those plugs are exceptionally effective for the firing range. If you get them for riding, be sure to have them fitted under your helmet. If they protrude enough to touch the interior of the helmet, noise is carried from normal wind and vibration into your inner ear.

Contact: Gordon Hollyn, E.A.R., Inc., Insta-Mold West, Box 18888, 5547 Central Ave, Boulder, CO, 80301-2846

303.447.2619 or 800.525.2690
He was the sales/operations manager a few years ago.

[Bobmws]

Hi folks,
Just some clarification regarding earplugs. First, the ear canal varies greatly in size and shape. The more convoluted and narrow your canal, the more difficulty you will have futting a foam earplug. That said, you will get the most attenuation from a foam earplug, as high as 33 db NRR, as opposed to a custom mold. Just remember that you must achieve a good seal from a particular earplug to get the benefit of that rating. It must fit and seal comfortably to be effective.
There is a large selection of generic earplugs, with different levels of protection, size and density that you can try. When you insert the foam plug, roll it tightly, pull your ear up or back to try to straighten the canal, insert the earplug deeply, let go of your ear and hold the plug in place as it expands so it doesent try to expand out of your canal. Lubrication sometimes helps the plug expand smoothly. If you are unable to find a generic that will fit due to the size and shape of your canal, then you may be a candidate for a custom earplug.

[DZIMBRIC]

Originally posted by Gerald

Last night at the local BMW meeting one of the other RT owners
gave me a pair of Max Lite ear plugs. I did not take my Rt to the
meeting as I was doing a St Patrick's day gig in the same strip
mall so I had to wear my kilt and carry my drum.

Gerald

Ear plugs are mandatory while riding your RT in a kilt and carrying a big strapping drum. At a strip mall.

As heard from a passing Scotsman "Absolutely nothing and it is in perfect working order."

[GERALD]

Well, I made the trip saturday with the Max Lites with an NRR of
34 and they did seem to be a bit quieter than the Hearos. I did
pull up on my ear which let the plug go in a bit better.

I ordered some of the custom fit plugs and should have them
in about a week. From what I am reading on this forum they
probably won't be any quieter at the range for the wind noise, but they may help me in the pipe band.

They will not put any pressure on my ear from the helmet either,
as they will not protrude from my ears.

Now if I can just find something to stop the buffeting of the wind.
I am not sure I can get my wife back on the RT again as the wind
scared her. In Oklahoma we have wind every day so things don't
look too good. The RT was pretty steady, but she was moving
around pretty good.

Gerald

[WILHELMGGW]

One with CBailey extended windshield. That took care of all our problems with wind buffetting.

[GERALD]

WilhelmGGW,

Thanks for the post, as soon as I get my seat problem solved
I'll look into that.

Gerald

[109478]

Hi,

I have both molded ear plugs I got from a gun show. If you get them there, you have to have them shave the outside so you can get it under your helmet.

I have a pair of Arizona AL's stereo Ear buds. I have never felt anything as comfortable in my search. Best head phones I have ever had. I plug them into my MP3 player and longer riders and I float along. I just sent my headsets to him to have a plug put in so I can splice them into my Starcom communication setup to talk with my back seat and toal toalk with my fellow riders on ham radio.

I haven't been on this site very much. Spend most of my time on WWW.BMWRT.com most of the time. THis site will has Arizona AL on the contact list as a member, and will have a lot of answers on windsheilds. I to where trifocals and have moved up to a Cee Bailey #2 + 4 inch windshield. Great set up.

Arizona Al is AL Schibi in Mesa Arizona. He is a rider and goes to a lot of the Tech days and ralleys.

Good luck

Jeff