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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
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  #1  
Old 24 Mar 2005
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Earplugs
I paid about 30p for mine and they are the best bargain I ever got for the bike once I've managed to get them in properly.

But, the thing is, they are such a bugger to get in properly. Surely, it doesn't take everybody else five to ten minutes with a teaspoon handle to get them in only to have one of them (actually, always the right one) come out after a few minutes.

Having one come out on a ride has brought home to me how horrendous the noise level actually is on the bike; with one in and the other out you realize that you become mentally acclimatized while your ears are still receiveing an appalling battering without your fully realizing it. I had a proper hearing test a few years ago and both my ears were well down on what they ought to be.

John



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  #2  
Old 24 Mar 2005
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I agree wholeheartedly. I have tinnitus in both ears and I'm sure it's from biking.

We use soft rubbery plugs. You roll them between your fingers until they are thin and almost hard. They expand inside the ear and I've never had one come out. Removing them after a long ride is somewhat painful. What we not do so we can enjoy riding...

Unlike foam plugs I'm happy reusing them lots of times.

I always use them on motorways or long trips on highways, but not at slower speeds (except on my K100RT in NZ...).

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  #3  
Old 24 Mar 2005
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The bullet-shaped, soft, smooth foam ones work a treat for me. A couple of tips: pull your ear up with one hand while inserting, and move your jaw around at the same time. You get weird looks, but it pays off As the plugs get older they seem to spring back quicker after rolling, which makes a good fit harder. I can usually get my helmet off and back on without reinserting; they never come out while riding. There are people who can make a custom set for you - a bit pricy, but maybe what you need. Keep an eye out at the bike shows.

Good luck,
James

[This message has been edited by JamesCo (edited 24 March 2005).]
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  #4  
Old 25 Mar 2005
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worn earplugs for tens of thousands of miles now. consider them totally essential if doing any distance at any speed.

to get them in easy though, roll them into a thin cone between your fingers, lick them (seriously - a bit minging but then slide in a treat!) and put in ear - hold and wait a while for them to grip before letting go. (stops them falling out. very irritating.

hope that helps!
(think i need help...)

dan
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  #5  
Old 25 Mar 2005
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Thank you all,

Perhaps the answer for me would be to go for the custom-made ones, does anyone have an address for them, please?

It really is bliss when they are both in properly, it's far less tiring on a long ride.

Cheers

John

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  #6  
Old 27 Mar 2005
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I've seen the custom molded ones used in heavy industry, they definitely look like the way to go. Maybe check out shops that sell safety equipment (boots, hardhats etc) they should know. When putting in earplugs you need to tug your ear up and back slightly to straighten the ear canal so the thing goes in properly.
Sean
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  #7  
Old 28 Mar 2005
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Dan,

Ah... Bless you, my child!

Yep, that's the answer, lick 'em! I've just tried it, works a treat. That's as well as making monkey faces and pulling my ears. And obviously I don't care what they say if I was prepared to try using teaspoons to get the little sods in. Iamnotaloony.

Seriously, Thank You,

J



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Old 29 Mar 2005
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Until last December I'd been using the foam type earplugs for about 8 years. At the NEC last November I decided to try a pair of Ultimate Earplugs.

They're worth the cost (£55.00 approx)IMO. Taking a mould took 10 minutes, you have a choose of colour & other options for built in iPod / MP3 speakers. They're available in hard or soft compounds, go for the soft as I did, I've heard a few comments on another site that some people regretted chooosing the harder compound.

Deliver normally takes a few weeks, with the plugs & original moulds arriving by separate post. If you loose/damage one or both, just post the relevant mould off for a new plug to be made.

They work well but are tricky to "install" at first. After that, it's easy.

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  #9  
Old 29 Mar 2005
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I've used earplugs on my daily commute for many years now. I get them in bulk for a very low unit price from one of the outfits that supply airlines. The foam ones`are fine and a pair usually lasts me for a couple of weeks. I've found that it is best to keep them dry and store them in the fridge. That means they stay good and firm and can be rolled into a thin tube that holds its shape long enough to allow them to be easily inserted.
Neil.
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Old 29 Mar 2005
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Being half deaf - at least that's what my wife keeps telling me - I visited a specialist for hearing aids.

Well, I fortunately wasn't quite as deaf as my wife had predicted. But they offer earplugs which are hard at room teperature and turn soft at body temp. Quite useful to insert and doesn't take a teaspoon...
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  #11  
Old 30 Mar 2005
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Spit on your fingers before rolling the plugs up. Less icky than licky.

JC
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  #12  
Old 30 Mar 2005
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Ah, yes, but my way I've got the cleanest pair of earplugs in town.

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  #13  
Old 1 Apr 2005
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This may sound a bit wacky - but ...
When putting your right ear plug in, reach round the back of your head with your left arm and pull on your ear at about mid height. This should help to open the ear canal a bit and let the plug fit in nicely. Unless you have strange ears that is. Or,unless I've got strange ears. Anyway give it a try.
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  #14  
Old 20 Jun 2005
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I was told a while back, that the wind noise at 80mph for half an hour is sufficient to cause a "partial shift in hearing" and too much of these and you'll permanently damage your hearing. At the time I was doing alot of very fast miles and would often have tinitus at the end of a ride. I started wearing soft plugs and the difference was unbelievable, I felt a lot better and less tired. I still use them if I'm doing motorway riding and only not wear them if I'm plodding about on short rides.
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  #15  
Old 21 Jun 2005
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I've been using the soft,orange "quiet" earplugs for years now,and i find them much more comfortable than the foam sort.They seem to be made of a latex material,and have a black stick inside them for you to get them properly inserted.I had 10 pairs from Ebay only last week for £3 inc postage.Type in "earplugs" into the searchbar and it'll take you right there.

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