03-25-2016, 04:54 AM
This is an area I know something about. Back in 1993 my brother and myself packed in our jobs and started a business selling motorcycle accessories, first by catalogue and later the Internet. Motorcyclists were just becoming aware of hearing damage caused by noisy helmets and we sold every brand of earplugs imaginable and sold millions of the things, even supplying the trade. We also sold many brands of helmets. I retired from the business six years ago but my brother still trades under the name of 'just helmets'. I've discovered two important things. Firstly, no helmet is quiet enough to fully protect against hearing damage and secondly, the best earplugs are the foam type. Of all the helmets available Schuberth are the quietest. I have had a Schuberth but currently wear a Shoei Neotec ( mates rates ) and that is also a fine helmet but I cannot ride with either of these helmets without properly fitted earplugs. I cannot stress this enough, you MUST insert the plugs properly. Watch Rossi getting ready to race and see how carefully he fits his foam plugs (read the instructions on the pack and don't just bung them in). I once paid a lot of money for custom plugs which were cast to the shape of my ear canals and they were rubbish. If they don't compress they won't work.