02-23-2017, 08:30 AM
(02-23-2017, 08:14 AM)silverbub_imp Wrote: I use the "shooter's" ear plugs which are connected with a plastic "line" that I cut off...each ear plug has at least three concentric soft plastic "discs" that go from smaller size farthest into ear to the largest size disc least into the ear canal...there is a soft plastic "drumstick-tab" at back of ear plug for grasping the plug for insertion into ear canal...for me...they have worked out satisfactory...they are kind of a hi-vis lemon green with a nice blue "pill-box" container to keep in jacket, etc...I always wet them with water or saliva prior to placement so as to get a better sealing of the ear canal...The only downside to me was through continued use...the "drumstick-tab" at back of plugs would come out of their molded "pocket" from rest of the plug when trying to remove them from ear...Ending up with only the drumstick finger tab in my hand & the ear plug still in my ear canal has led to exercising my patience!!...This has happened only after considerable number of uses however...but it does require some creative problem solving methods when trying to safely extract a rather firmly placed plug in ear without the pull tab!!...The few times I have ridden without ear plugs for any distance/time has caused rather severe headaches and ear ache!...now the ringing whoosh continually at my personal level is motivation enough to ALWAYS use ear plugs with the rest of riding gear!
I tried those after I got fed up with the Drugstore foam ones. They were alright for a couple of hours, but then became uncomfortable. Later in the afternoon one of them would come loose. That meant stopping, removing my helmet, a re-inserting it. The longer I rode the more insertions were needed.
(02-23-2017, 06:51 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: I have tinnitus, pretty bad. Shooting guns at a steel target in my mom and dads basement as a kid, rock and roll concerts as a sub adult, 10 years of racing 2 stroke motocross bikes in my 20's and 52 years of street motorcycling have been very damaging to my hearing. They ring all the time, pretty loudly, 24/7/365. You kind of learn to accept/ignore it, or you would never go to sleep lol. There is no relief from the ringing...ever..well except when you are actually asleep. Then you don't hear it. Otherwise it's always there, a high pitched squeal. As I understand it from my doctor, there is no cure.
Anyhow on todays ride I experimented with ear plugs. Foam for 60 miles, and gel for 60 miles. First off, wonder if you have tinnitus? Put in ear plugs. They block out most sounds other than the ones already in your head, which are amplified as a result.
Both were easy to put in although the foam requires you to roll it between your fingers to form it into a taper, then reach over your head with the opposite hand and pull your ear canal open before inserting plug. With the gel you just roll them into a ball and mush them in there using the appropriate hand for the side.
Both did a great job of blocking out other sounds. Couldn't really hear the wind. Couldn't really hear the bike. Couldn't hardly hear my horn lol. I was on my ST and the windshield also tends to block wind sound and air pressure feel. Chewing gum sounded very..um..juicy. Wow what weird noises. Clicking my teeth together sounded like someone knocking on a door. Talking or singing out loud in my helmet was really loud...and off key a lot of times lol. Because I couldn't hear the wind or the bike rpms I found myself riding faster than normal, apparent by having to trail brake on curves I was entering too fast and wasn't used to braking on. Also by looking down at my speedo and going "Oh crap I'm way over the limit", followed by more braking.
The foam plugs hurt my ears after an hour and was glad to make the switch to gel at the 60 mile mark. The gel were much more comfortable for me. The package said they could be reused up to 40 times. Got them at Kroger grocery, they were for kid swimmers.
Have a feeling most of the time I am still not going to wear them, at least on the ST. It was a weird experience. I felt isolated from the riding experience if that makes sense. I will try them on the CB and see if there is any difference.
I would highly recommend the gel plugs to anyone who doesn't already have the damage to their ears. They are soft, comfortable, effective and reusable many times over. If I do wear earplugs again, it will be the gels.
I currently use 3M E-A-Rsoft Yellow Neons. They are softer than the drugstore foam ones. The are comfortable to wear all day and do not pop out. You do have to roll them smaller before insertion. I moisten mine and don't have to bother with the overhead arm routine. If they do not slid in easily, I just give them a little twist.
I am not quite sure by what you mean by gel plugs. The swimmers plugs I have tried are like soft wax. The more you work them with your fingers, the more pliable they become. I wore them one day. They were comfortable, stayed put, but blocked out almost all sound. I could not hear what the gas station attendant was trying to tell me. I checked my tires just in case I had a flat. At home I found out in an e-mail that I won bonus points for my gas card.
Can you provide the brand name or manufacturer of the gel plugs?