custom earplug comparo

[repoe3]

so i thought my exhaust needed repacking again, as noted in a previous post. and i noted how riding without earplugs seemed to be better. while i have no doubt my ears are suffering from moto enjoyment, it has not been from lack of earplug use. and once i determined the packing in the cans had not burned up and both cans, front to rear were barely warm to the touch, i considered the fact that i had been wearing the "other" earplugs.

now for the comparo. lately i had been using the "other" pair of custom earplugs i had made last year. these are made just like the ones most commonly thought of when some one says custom earplugs. they inject silicone into your ear and it sets up and its all done. well this pair was not like the normal ones, as it was half the size, i.e. it did not fill the void of the inner and outer ear, only the inner ear canal. seemed to make sense. well, i have come to the realization that these might work for flying, snoozing or maybe even shooting, but not for moto riding. as a result of their size, they cant handle the vibes and utlimately have a smaller fit as they are holding onto less of the actual ear surface and permit noise and subsequent vibes to penetrate the barrier.

rode in this morning with my orig. earplugs and wow, talk about aural bliss. didnt make my eyes feel like they were going to pop out of my head.

so...if you are thinking, looking, or planning to get custom earplugs, make sure they are the larger inner/outer type.

may try to post comparo pic later.

repoe3

[RoLoo]

...sometimes the solution isn't so far away...

[jduke]

Don't waste your money on the custom molded ear plugs. Get a case of the orange ear plugs from most industrial supply places like Granger, Fastenal, etc.
I buy the MAX NRR 33 Orange Ear Plugs Uncorded for less than a quarter each.

[tbsstunta]

I've used that style of earplug before and they were great. the only reason i would get the custom ones is that I'm more likely than not going to be listenign to my iPod and I can get them with speakers built in.

[steve abella]

Originally posted by jduke
Don't waste your money on the custom molded ear plugs. Get a case of the orange ear plugs from most industrial supply places like Granger, Fastenal, etc.
I buy the MAX NRR 33 Orange Ear Plugs Uncorded for less than a quarter each.

Agree that for sound reduction not much difference but on long rides the comfort is worth the $$, like a well fitting helmet

[steve abella]

Originally posted by repoe3
so...if you are thinking, looking, or planning to get custom earplugs, make sure they are the larger inner/outer type.

may try to post comparo pic later.

repoe3

What was the quoted reduction in DB's for the Small custom fit...

mine standard type are certified at 30 DB

[gigantic]

I had a custom pair made, too, at first, they worked great, but after two months, the silicone began to shrink and they didn't work very well. I usually use these:
32 db rating and they're pretty comfortable for long rides. I wear these all day long at work, too.

[jduke]

I only know two people that have the custom plugs and are happy with them over time. I have many friends that have custom plugs sitting at home. I think it's like gigantic says, over time either the custom plug changes or the ear does, but something causes them to become less effective.

[SergioK]

I've been trying to find aural bliss for over a year now. What remains constant is the use of the orange foam earplugs a la' Howard Leight but also just broke down and bought the Etymotic ER6i (thanks Herr Dr. Williams) to pipe in some tunes.

I've had 4 sets of custom earmold plugs made. Two sets at a show and two sets by Westone (both styles as you describe repoe). None work on my ears after more than about 2-3 minutes of riding. They all work their way out of the ear canal and thus lose the seal and I end up geting wind noise galore.

I'm really hoping these Etymotics stay in and seal. I'd be happy if they provide almost as good longterm sealing noise reduction as the orange earplug foam thingys and so far everything I've heard about them says they will.

[Trex]

I made an appointment with an audiologist to get custom earplugs made by Westone. Good move or bad?

Currently, I am using Heartech SilentEar plugs. They supress the bike noise (Laser cans), but I really want to reduce wind noise at 80 mph too (Nolan X-1002 helmet). The plugs I use need to be put in just so and they become bothersome on a long ride. I am hoping that the custom plugs will greatly reduce windnoise, fit easily and be more comfortable. Am I asking for too much?

[jduke]

Trex, like I said in an earlier post, I only know 2 people that are happy with custom earplugs. Maybe you would be number 3, but I sure wouldn't waste my money. Ask them if they have a guarantee, or if they'll agree to refund you half the price if you're not satisfied.

[MarkR11S]

I wish I had read this post a few weeks ago! I just dropped $187 on the custom molded earplug/speakers that Aerostich sells. I made the molds, sent them off and now I'm just waiting for the actual earplugs to arrive. I found that the orange foamies blocked too much of the sound from my Autocom/Sirius setup. So I decided to try this route instead. I'll follow up and let everyone know how they work for me.

[motoman]

I use these... cheap, washable, last about 1 year. Your choice of colors!

[repoe3]

dont get me wrong, i love my custom ear plugs, the fuller ones. the other ones work, just not for riding.

as for complete noise reduction...it will never happen. various helmet designs are the largest factor in wind noise.

i can see me getting another pair, as long as they are of the larger type. you really do have to work them into your ear or they can work themselves out. a little earlube doesnt hurt, KY or petro jelly if you really have issues...but i have never had to do that.

repoe3

[Rapid Dog]

...where'd you get those moto?

[nosmo_king]

Trex- I'm diggin my Westones.

Custom fit by an audiologist a few years ago and still enjoying them.

I always had a difficult time w/ the squishy ones- maybe the shape of my ear canal- but gettin' them in and having them stay in wasn't easy for me.

My Westone plugs are the bomb. They were free so maybe I'm biased but they still do a great job and are very easy to pop in.

Nos

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by Trex
I made an appointment with an audiologist to get custom earplugs made by Westone. Good move or bad?

Based on BradZ's recommendation, I'll be ordering them as well. (I want to have speakers built in).

I talked to Carl Cartwright, the owner of Westone at (719) 540-9333, and the model recommended is the CR-1, which replaces the MH-1. It may not be on their website yet. They don't completely attenuate ambient noise (28dB, I think), so you can still hear important noises while riding. Their most effective earplugs are rated at 38dB, which IMHO is a mistake for a rider. With speakers, they run from $200-250, depending on your local audiologist.

If you have a local audiologist order them, be sure to request an "open jaw impression to the 2nd bend of the ear canal," per Carl.

[SergioK]

Originally posted by Steve Carlton
If you have a local audiologist order them, be sure to request an "open jaw impression to the 2nd bend of the ear canal," per Carl.

Maybe this was my error when ordering my earplugs. I'm not exactly sure which model they plugged me for but it was not an open jaw impression, that much I remember. Maybe i'll go back and ask for a 3rd set. I don't use the first two that they made for me and at $110 they make akward paperweights.

[Steve Carlton]

I'll make some for you for free, Sergio...

[Trex]

SC - Thanks for that info.