To Earplug or Not to Earplug? That is the question!!

[Shirou]

I used to wear plugs every day when on my dualsport, the exhaust on that bike is way too loud and all that banging makes my head hurt after a few minutes. I forgot my plugs at home once and couldn't stand the sound of the motorcycle. I got home with a major headache.

These are the ones I use:

On my ninja though, I wear them only on long trips (30+ minutes) or when I know I'll be speeding. Not because the bike is silent but because the plugs have become nasty over time. They're greasy and stuff, I don't know why because I wash them regularly after each use. I got another pair but they're not 3m and don't fit quite as good.

The problem with not wearing plugs is that the auditive system adapts to the high sound levels of traffic and it doesn't bother you, even if the sound is so high as to be damaging your ears. Continuous exposure will permanently kill your auditive system.
With plugs, it's not that you don't hear anything. Again, your ears adapt to the low sound and you hear things like ambulances, car horns and stuff like that.

 

[TheDiabeticBiker]

They look quite similar to the plugs I wear. I've got Moldex Comets and I love them. Great fit, doesn't make you too deaf and still don't hurt after wearing them for over 5 hours.

 

[MedicDan]

I wear these custom earplugs

https://www.proguarduk.co.uk/

I actually bought them to wear as I work shifts and sometimes, more in the summer, need to sleep during the day. I ended up wearing them on the bike instead. Totally reusable and wash under warm soapy water. They aren't hard and because they are custom fit to your ears, they mold to the inside of your ear canal, so won't pop out when you pull your helmet on - something I was experiencing with the little foam 'bullet type' ear things.

They come in a two part mix, a bit like an epoxy type thing where one parts makes the other 'go off', but you get a good 10 mins before they set, so plenty of time to manipulate and remould if necessary, and the best bit is, they only cost about £15 - I think I bought mine off ebay for about £12.

I've had mine a good 4 years now and they are starting to degrade a little bit and crack, but will def be getting some more. They come in a whole host of funky colours as well and even have a little bag to put them in so you don't lose them.

The other bonus with them is, you can mold them to your ear, them if you remove the rubber part from a pair of MP3 ear buds, you can push it into the mix in your ear (as if you were putting them in normally). When it has set, pull the ear bud out, remove the ProGuard ear plug, and cut away wear the end of the ear bud speak sits and hey presto - custom fit music earbuds. Of course this will render them useless as ear protection only, so you might end up buying two pairs. You might wanna look on YT for this, it explains it better.
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I actually suffer with tinnitus as an accumulative result of too much loud music when I was younger and years of wearing NO EAR defence. Irrepairable now, but at least you younger riders can save your hearing by heading us older guys warnings.

 

[RaggedReckless&Restless]

I wear these custom earplugs

https://www.proguarduk.co.uk/

I actually bought them to wear as I work shifts and sometimes, more in the summer, need to sleep during the day. I ended up wearing them on the bike instead. Totally reusable and wash under warm soapy water. They aren't hard and because they are custom fit to your ears, they mold to the inside of your ear canal, so won't pop out when you pull your helmet on - something I was experiencing with the little foam 'bullet type' ear things.

They come in a two part mix, a bit like an epoxy type thing where one parts makes the other 'go off', but you get a good 10 mins before they set, so plenty of time to manipulate and remould if necessary, and the best bit is, they only cost about £15 - I think I bought mine off ebay for about £12.

I've had mine a good 4 years now and they are starting to degrade a little bit and crack, but will def be getting some more. They come in a whole host of funky colours as well and even have a little bag to put them in so you don't lose them.

The other bonus with them is, you can mold them to your ear, them if you remove the rubber part from a pair of MP3 ear buds, you can push it into the mix in your ear (as if you were putting them in normally). When it has set, pull the ear bud out, remove the ProGuard ear plug, and cut away wear the end of the ear bud speak sits and hey presto - custom fit music earbuds. Of course this will render them useless as ear protection only, so you might end up buying two pairs. You might wanna look on YT for this, it explains it better.
________________________

I actually suffer with tinnitus as an accumulative result of too much loud music when I was younger and years of wearing NO EAR defence. Irrepairable now, but at least you younger riders can save your hearing by heading us older guys warnings.

My dog wears a set of these, different brand but same thing, they are great. I was using the remoldable kind for her but they kinda suck and only last a couple times using em...plus they didnt do much for me when I wore em.
Eventually I'm gunna get a set for myself but for now the foam ones work good enough.

 

[2WheeledLife]

I just use cheap $13 AUD in ears from a supermarket. Easy to replace if broken, reasonably comfortable, and excellent wind noise cancellation. Mind you, I am not riding my own bike yet, I chill on the back of my dads cruiser