Arai helmet wearer (RX7)... I currently use the Howard Leight 'Laser Lite' rhubarb-n-custard ear plugs. When they work they are very comfortable and kill most of the noise, but I am really struggling to get them inserted due to the inconsistency with which they compress under your fingers when you roll them prior to insertion. My most recent batch seem to uncompress far too quickly, especially when the ambient temperature is high. I can get the left one in quickly enough, but the right takes a little longer and the plug's tip often expands too soon. The plug inserts but ends up with a crease. You only discover this when you start to ride and find the noise to still be there, so have to stop and re-insert. On a hot day it may take five or six new plugs before I get a proper fit. Does anyone else who uses these suffer from the same problem? I am minded to try some custom fitted plugs, but my last experience with them was not good. (Fitted at the NEC bike show, felt fine at the time but were uncomfortable when wearing a crash helmet, doh!) So if you use custom plugs, who made them for you and are they any good?
We have been very happy with the basic £19.99 Auritech motorcyclists plug. The filter and is fairly fragile if you are heavy handed but I'm still using mine a year on. Andy
I use Howard Leight Max plugs (the orange ones) and snip the tip off with a pair of scissors. They seat better and tend not to eject themselves as they expand. Noise attenuation seems just as good and the only downside is that I sometimes need use my key to help get them out. Just breaking the seal and tipping them slightly rather than serious digging I hasten to add. Have had a box of 200 of these for some time and need to order some more soon. Storage in damp conditions seems to make the material more expanded and a softer consistency that annoyingly springs back into shape quicker. Maybe buy some new ones.
I had a love hate relatuonsgip with foam plugs so I now use custom plugs fitted in North tyneside but I can't remember who made them as it's about 5 years sine I got them. They did advertise that they made plugs for guy martin at the time . They made them as I waited and have filters so that they cut out the noise but allow sirens and conversation. They do cut out a decent amount of the sat nav though. They fit well and I've worn them all day long with no issues.
I have the same problems with foam plugs. I can't get on with them. Tried Auritec for a year or so and they were OK but could get uncomfortable after a while and I found it very easy to push them in too far which was a job for tweezers. Very hard to clean as well. Discovered these recently and they're excellent: Howard Leight - Quiet Uncorded Reusable EarPlug | Allearplugs.com Comfortable, effective, very easy to clean and impossible to over insert. And cheap as chips.
ultimate ear | Ear Plugs | Hearing and Ear Protection London UK | Motorcyclist and places they have fitting agents ultimate ear | Ear Plugs | Hearing and Ear Protection London UK Got some custom filtered plugs from these... not cheap but wont fit anyone else and are brilliant
I tried ProGuard Noizezz Universal Earplugs but it turns out my lug'oles must be mahusive because the XL size was a bit loose. I never had that problem with cheapo foam jobs. The only thing I have that's larger than average is my ear holes. Figures. :Sorry:
I've got a set of these. They're great most of the time but every now and then I get an ear ache from pressure on my right ear. Have to stop and remove and re-insert the plug. I mustn't get it seated right some times.
I had a quick look at the site and I like the idea of them but was wondering what the all-in cost is. £65 for plugs + £5 postage + fitting (at least £20). Any idea how much it costs to arrange local fitting?
I went to my local specsavers, they have a hearing section and I think it was £20. They give you the moulds and you just post them to Ultimate ears.
I've got the ones with the speakers in, and they are very handy on longer rides, music on, windy A road, can't beat it.
+1 for ultimate ear. wouldn't consider anything else now. Been using them for around 15 yrs (Not the same pair I hasten to add)
I change them every 5 yrs or so. When I change them the fit is still great, still comfortable and still filtering out the noise. I change them because they get grubby. I do wash them but they still get noticeably eugh! I guess their life span will depend on the amount of use/abuse they get, much like the rest of our bike gear.
Ive got the max lites as my right ear canal is narrower and at a slightly different angle to the left. I get issues with the tip expanding too quickly when its met any kind of moisture which seems to strip it of some coating and make it expand too quickly. With sweaty ear lugs and sweaty palms wouldnt bet against this being a contributing factor.....
