Earplugs: Difference between revisions
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There is absolutely no doubt that exposure to noise levels in excess of 100 db causes cumulative {{wikipedia|hearing damage}}. Worse yet, this is hearing loss that you can never recover. Once it goes away, it's gone forever. Eventually you are likely to develop {{wikipedia|tinnitus}}, a constant 'singing' or 'whistling' in your ears that overlays everything you hear. No fun. | There is absolutely no doubt that exposure to noise levels in excess of 100 db causes cumulative {{wikipedia|hearing damage}}. Worse yet, this is hearing loss that you can never recover. Once it goes away, it's gone forever. Eventually you are likely to develop {{wikipedia|tinnitus}}, a constant 'singing' or 'whistling' in your ears that overlays everything you hear. No fun. | ||
The best solution is a pair of custom fitted earplugs made by an {{wikipedia|audiologist}}. These are cast out of space age polymers from molds made in your own ears and contain a tiny valve that allows low level sounds to be heard, while at the same time cutting out everything that's above a given sound pressure. You can still hear sirens, horns, and so forth, but the wind noise is pretty much gone. (And that constant wind noise really tires you out. Try it and see.) Most riders use disposable store-bought plugs and are quite content with them. They can be found in the pharmacy section of many stores. | The best solution is a pair of custom fitted earplugs made by an {{wikipedia|audiologist}}. These are cast out of space age polymers from molds made in your own ears and contain a tiny valve that allows low level sounds to be heard, while at the same time cutting out everything that's above a given sound pressure. You can still hear sirens, horns, and so forth, but the wind noise is pretty much gone. (And that constant wind noise really tires you out. Try it and see.) Most riders use disposable store-bought plugs and are quite content with them. They can be found in the pharmacy section of many stores, or in larger quantities inexpensively online (see below). | ||
== | ====Earplug survey==== | ||
Copyright 2005-2006 by [http://www.ninja250.org/IanJ Ian Johnston] | |||
by IanJ | |||
Several years ago | Several years ago I bought a box of 200 pairs of 3M 1100 earplugs | ||
online. When these ran out, I bought a box of 200 pairs of Moldex | online. When these ran out, I bought a box of 200 pairs of Moldex | ||
Pura-Fit plugs, but discovered that they didn't seal in my right ear | Pura-Fit plugs, but discovered that they didn't seal in my right ear | ||
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They shipped me, for the princely sum of $11.95 plus shipping, two | They shipped me, for the princely sum of $11.95 plus shipping, two | ||
pairs each of 13 different brands and models of disposable, uncorded foam | pairs each of 13 different brands and models of disposable, uncorded foam | ||
earplugs. | earplugs. There are a couple different [http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/unfoamtrialp.html samplers] available: | ||
* | *Try 'Em All: two pairs each of 28 different plugs (56 pairs in all) | ||
* | *Just The Highest NRR: includes two pairs each of 15 different plugs (30 pairs in all) | ||
* | *Just The Softest/Smallest: includes two pairs each of 15 different plugs (30 pairs in all) | ||
I sat down and tried each one in turn, and took notes on what I | I sat down and tried each one in turn, and took notes on what I | ||
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across the road. | across the road. | ||
Plug fit is incredibly important | Plug fit is incredibly important and will determine comfort, noise | ||
reduction, pressure, and how cranky you are at the end of that 500 | reduction, pressure, and how cranky you are at the end of that 500 | ||
mile day. NRR is important, but merely having an earplug is such a | mile day. NRR is important, but merely having an earplug is such a | ||
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gone, there is no science or magic which will bring it back. It's | gone, there is no science or magic which will bring it back. It's | ||
gone forever. Riding a motorcycle for more than 15 or 20 minutes, | gone forever. Riding a motorcycle for more than 15 or 20 minutes, | ||
or at speeds higher than 40-50 MPH will damage your hearing, | or at speeds higher than 40-50 MPH, will damage your hearing, | ||
permanently. | permanently. | ||
So, I guess my recommendation is order up a pair of each of the | 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 | 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, | guarantee you that the low-rated plugs aren't even worth trying, | ||
so buying the sampler pack is something of a waste. | so buying the sampler pack is something of a waste, although one of the samplers may be right for you. | ||
Ride with each plug in, ideally back to back and in similar | Ride with each plug in, ideally back to back and in similar | ||
conditions. Figure out which one works well for you, then buy a | conditions. Figure out which one works well for you, then buy a | ||
bunch of them so you never worry about "wasting" them. These plugs | |||
can all be worn multiple times, but by the time they're visibly dirty, | can all be worn multiple times, but by the time they're visibly dirty, | ||
toss them and use a new pair. In between uses | toss them and use a new pair. In between uses you can use a plastic | ||
film cannister | film cannister, or any other small | ||
plastic container. Even a ziploc bag works great. | plastic container, to keep them from getting dirty. Even a ziploc bag works great. | ||
< | <hr> | ||
====SilentEar silicone earplugs==== | ====SilentEar silicone earplugs==== | ||
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[[Image:IJ 14.jpg]] | [[Image:IJ 14.jpg]] | ||
As part of my quest for good earplugs, I | '''Opinion one''' | ||
plugs a try. | |||
As part of my quest for good earplugs, I gave the silicone [http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/silnatrubear.html SilentEar] | |||
they're more of a one-time investment. For less than $20 for the size | 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. | assortment, I figured it'd be worth a try. | ||
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A quick test fitting at home seemed to show promise, so I left them | A quick test fitting at home seemed to show promise, so I left them | ||
in and got | in and got ready to go for a test ride. Almost as soon as I got my | ||
helmet on, the right plug developed a "leak" and I could hear at full | helmet on, the right plug developed a "leak" and I could hear at full | ||
volume again from that ear. I pulled off my helmet, and seated the | volume again from that ear. I pulled off my helmet, and seated the | ||
plug again. I got the helmet on without incident, but before I'd even | plug again. I got the helmet on without incident, but before I'd even | ||
started moving, the plug was "leaking" again. I stopped 500 yards down | started moving, the plug was "leaking" again. I stopped 500 yards down | ||
the road and swapped to | the road and swapped to standard foam ones. | ||
It seemed that even the slightest jaw movement would dislodge one | It seemed that even the slightest jaw movement would dislodge one | ||
or both of the plugs. When they were seated and sealed, they seemed | or both of the plugs. When they were seated and sealed, they seemed | ||
promising. Unfortunately, they unseated again so quickly that there | promising. Unfortunately, they unseated again so quickly that there | ||
was really no point in pursuing them. | was really no point in pursuing them. Based on my own experience, I do not recommend these plugs. They | ||
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 | 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 | to fit you exactly right probably isn't worth the price of admission; | ||
for about the same price | 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. | earplugs, which are much more likely to fit and seal every time. | ||
====SilentEar opinion 2==== | ====SilentEar opinion 2==== | ||