Earplugs: Difference between revisions

The plugs must also seal well in your ears. You can easily tell when this happens. If you find a pair of plugs that seal well in your ear canals but stick out too far, you can always cut them off. Just don't cut them so short that you have to go to the doctor every time you want to remove them. You could also get a [http://www.newenough.com/helmets_eyewear/head_wraps_helmet_liners_other_accessories/do_wrap/coolmax_skull_cap.html "skull cap"] and pull it down over your ears. It should hold the plugs in place while putting on a helmet (and have the additional benefit of making your head drip in sweat).

Just like people, ears come in all sizes and shapes. You can't really tell what size you need until you try some out, as large people can have small ears and vice-versa. That's one reason why getting a trial pack of many different kinds and finding the best one for you is a good idea. Shown below is the difference in size between the Howard Leight Max and Mack's SafeSound Jr.  

Copyright 2005-2006 by [http://www.ninja250.org/IanJ Ian Johnston]

'''Recommendations'''

choice.  I really like the Howard Leight packaging, which makes it easy

to get to the plugs without much risk of accidentally tossing them

across the road.

 

Avoid! avoid! avoid! the plugs rated 20 and under in the list.

They ranged from really uncomfortable to downright painful.  They're

also among the least effective plugs in the range, so there's really

nothing to recommend them.

or at speeds higher than 40-50 MPH, will damage your hearing,

So, I guess my recommendation is order up a pair of each of the

likely looking plugs from the list ([http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ The Ear Plug Store] will sell you an individual pair of each type to test) and try them out. I can

guarantee you that the low-rated plugs aren't even worth trying,

so buying the sampler pack is something of a waste, although one of the samplers may be right for you.  

can all be worn multiple times, but by the time they're visibly dirty,

toss them and use a new pair.  In between uses you can use a plastic

film cannister, or any other small

plastic container, to keep them from getting dirty. Even a ziploc bag works great.

plugs a try. These are reuseable, so they're more of a one-time investment.  For less than $20 for the size

assortment, I figured it'd be worth a try.

was really no point in pursuing them. Based on my own experience, I do not recommend these plugs.  They

might be worth a try, but it seems like the chance that they'll happen

to fit you exactly right probably isn't worth the price of admission;

for about the same price you can get a box of 200 pairs of good foam

earplugs, which are much more likely to fit and seal every time.

Since fit is such a personal thing, and most of the plugs are inexpensive, I have no regrets about the waste associated with buying several trial assortments. What did I spend, maybe $50 or so? I am cheap about a lot of things, but scrimping on hearing protection (a very real issue) seems penny wise and pound foolish.  

 

Some club members have had good luck with the [http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0037460227874a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=earplugs&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=earplugs&noImage=0 Custom-Molded Earplugs] from Cabela's. A type of these are also available from [http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ The Earplug Store]. Wal-Mart has been known to carry them also, although whether or not they'll have them next week is anybody's guess. Look in the hunting section. Make sure you read the reviews on the Cabela's site. Some people like these; some don't.