I can't wear ear plugs!

[Bikerjon]

I know we’re all supposed to wear ear plugs on every ride, but I suspect like me there are many riders that don’t. I’ve tried all manner of disposable plugs but I just can’t seem to find any that are both comfortable and actually work. Many are just painful or fall out/get dislodged as soon as I put my lid on and I swear some plugs even make the wind noise louder!

A few years ago I bought one of the really quiet Schuberth helmets and for a while I thought I had solved the problem as it was so much quieter than my old lid. However I couldn’t keep it very long as it didn’t fit right and got painful on longer rides.

I can’t stand faffing about too much before going out on a ride, but I’m running out of options! I think the only thing left is those custom fit plugs. Do they really work and are they easy/quick to put in? Any other recommendations?

[sociopath]

I used to have a set of ultimate ears custom earplugs with built in Bose drivers. Until I caught them in a London underground gate and ripped the wires out. I almost cried. Most comfortable things I've ever worn.

Obviously don't need to have audio built into them, but that was my choice

[black-k1]

If your plugs fall out or get dislodged they are not fitted correctly. That'll be why they're uncomfortable.

[paddy1970]

Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs ... they cover the outer opening of the ear, instead of plugging the ear canal....more comfortable.

I found the custom earplugs less comfortable. Also, some of the custom earplugs are very expensive. The Mack's Pillow Soft Silicone Earplugs are only a few quid per pair. Worth a try!

[Jazoli]

black-k1 said:

If your plugs fall out or get dislodged they are not fitted correctly. That'll be why they're uncomfortable.

Yep, they don't fall out if fitted properly and there is a size for everyone, even if your best mate is called Noddy.

How to fit video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vHP8K3BsrA

the amount of blokes I see with the plugs just pushed in and sticking out of their ears is silly, it takes seconds to fit them correctly.

Try Howard Leight laser lites for foam ones, or Earpeace silicone ones, they are really easy to put in and remove because they have a tag.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161320386423?var=463535...

Edited by Jazoli on Tuesday 11th May 19:28

[Iminquarantine]

black-k1 said:

If your plugs fall out or get dislodged they are not fitted correctly. That'll be why they're uncomfortable.

Yes this. You have not put them in properly.

[Steve Bass]

Depends on the foam...

Over here, a Pharmacy called Clicks sells variuos tyres.

Blue foam... ok if a little hard when removing. Roll up nice, stay small long enough to inset and are comfy but do ache a little after a few hours

Yellow foam, bloody awful. Roll up and spring back in seconds so they don't insert nicely. Then get caught by the helmet as you put it on, dislodging them and it's back to the start....

Brown foam, perfect. Roll up nice and tight, don't expand too quickly so they slide down the canal nicely and expand to a snug but not overtight fit. Can wear them all day every day with no issues.

Not all foam earplugs are the same......

[Bikerjon]

I can definitely fit them OK - that's not the issue although some are a lot easier than others so maybe I have weird ears! The mushroom style with a stalk don't fall out but they can get really uncomfortable - like a head cold feeling? Same story with some of the foam ones - as they expand they put too much pressure on the inner ear.

Definitely going to buy some of the Mack's ones as haven't tried that style yet. Thanks for that.

[Bob_Defly]

Bikerjon said:

I can definitely fit them OK - that's not the issue .

It absolutely is the issue, they shouldn't be sticking out at all.

Try these, they are a very light foam and very easy to use:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000RMFGGY/

[Ilikemotorbikes]

I've used loads over the years. I found foam ok but worked there way out of my ears (as my right ear canal is tiny so things don't seem to stay in)

Ear peace were good for £15 - little silicone ones but the right one again had issues coming out

Went to moulded plugs 4/5 years ago - always fit right and do a brilliant job. I've got them with a filter in so talking whilst stationary is possible (just) but still filter enough of the harsh wind noise out

[talksthetorque]

All disposable ear plugs are not the same.
You can buy a selection pack on Amazon, if you want to give it one last go to find a pair to fit.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B1STC2C/ref...

For me they contained ones that were too small, and kept working out/letting noise past, to too big and hurting my ears.
I found the ones I preferred and then bulk ordered them.

[Bikerjon]

Thanks, I bought one of those selection packs many years ago. Found the Howard Leight green plug in the left ear and the pink/yellow one for the right was the only combination that mostly worked - but they still take several attempts to put in and get dislodged often. I must have strange inner ears!

Will look at some of the other suggestions first then investigate the custom plugs.

[Birky_41]

I dont wear them

[Jazoli]

Birky_41 said:

I dont wear them

Pardon?

You will end up with long term hearing damage, but that is entirely your choice.

[black-k1]

Bikerjon said:

Thanks, I bought one of those selection packs many years ago. Found the Howard Leight green plug in the left ear and the pink/yellow one for the right was the only combination that mostly worked - but they still take several attempts to put in and get dislodged often. I must have strange inner ears!

Will look at some of the other suggestions first then investigate the custom plugs.

Again, if they get dislodged, they are not fitted correctly. Fitting correctly really is all about fitting technique. It does sound like you are not using the correct fitting technique. I find using the opposite arm over the head to lift the whole ear up is essential to open the ear canal enough to get the plugs in properly. when fitted correctly, the risk is more that there is not enough plug left sticking out to get a hold of to remove them than that they get accidentally dislodged.

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Go and get some custom made ear plugs, they should fit perfectly.

[black-k1]

Jazoli said:

Birky_41 said:

I dont wear them

Pardon?

You will end up with long term hearing damage, but that is entirely your choice.

Indeed! Lots of people do things that will only have a negative impact on their bodies. It's always their choice but such choices are generally not something to be proud of!

[maxrobot]

sociopath said:

I used to have a set of ultimate ears custom earplugs with built in Bose drivers. Until I caught them in a London underground gate and ripped the wires out. I almost cried. Most comfortable things I've ever worn.

Where can I buy this?

[Krikkit]

maxrobot said:

sociopath said:

I used to have a set of ultimate ears custom earplugs with built in Bose drivers. Until I caught them in a London underground gate and ripped the wires out. I almost cried. Most comfortable things I've ever worn.

Where can I buy this?

I'd guess...

https://ultimateear.com/product-category/motorcycl...

[Charliecloud]

I used foam plugs for years and then bite the bullet and had a custom pair made at a show, took a week to have them delivered. Been using them for 3 years now and they are still perfect. If you have odd shaped ears it wont matter, riding without plugs is idiotic - my BIL did that for 20 years+ and at age 67 is stone deaf without hearing aids.