Earplugs: Difference between revisions

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[[image:ear plugs 003-2.jpg|120px]]

The plugs must also seal well in your ears. You can easily tell when this happens. If you find a pair of plugs that seal well in your ear canals but stick out too far, you can always cut them off. ~~Just don't cut them so short that you have to go to~~ the ~~doctor every time you want to remove~~ them. You could also get a [http://www.newenough.com/helmets_eyewear/head_wraps_helmet_liners_other_accessories/do_wrap/coolmax_skull_cap.html "skull cap"] and pull it down over your ears. It should hold the plugs in place while putting on a helmet (and have the additional benefit of making your head drip in sweat).

The plugs must also seal well in your ears. You can easily tell when this happens. If you find a pair of plugs that seal well in your ear canals but stick out too far, you can always cut them off. Sometimes cutting some off the inside helps them seal as well. You could also get a [http://www.newenough.com/helmets_eyewear/head_wraps_helmet_liners_other_accessories/do_wrap/coolmax_skull_cap.html "skull cap"] and pull it down over your ears. It should hold the plugs in place while putting on a helmet (and have the additional benefit of making your head drip in sweat).

Just like people, ears come in all sizes and shapes. You can't really tell what size you need until you try some out, as large people can have small ears and vice-versa. That's one reason why getting a trial pack of many different kinds and finding the best one for you is a good idea. Shown below is the difference in size between the ~~Howard Leight Max (right) and~~ Mack's SafeSound Jr (left).

Just like people, ears come in all sizes and shapes. You can't really tell what size you need until you try some out, as large people can have small ears and vice-versa. That's one reason why getting a trial pack of many different kinds and finding the best one for you is a good idea. Shown below is the difference in size between the Mack's SafeSound Jr (left) and Howard Leight Max (right).

[[image:DSCN3311-3.JPG|150px]]

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====Earplug survey====

Copyright ~~2005-2006~~ by [http://www.ninja250.org/IanJ Ian Johnston]

Copyright by [http://www.ninja250.org/IanJ Ian Johnston]

Several years ago I bought a box of 200 pairs of 3M 1100 earplugs

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Any of the high-scoring plugs in this comparison seem like a fine

choice. Plug fit is incredibly important and will determine comfort, noise

choice. Plug fit is incredibly important and will determine comfort, noise reduction, pressure, and how cranky you are at the end of that 500 mile day. NRR is important, but merely having an earplug is such a huge improvement over not having an earplug that I recommend you choose comfort over NRR. It's vital that you put in the earplugs, and if they're uncomfortable, you're less likely to do that.

reduction, pressure, and how cranky you are at the end of that 500

mile day. NRR is important, but merely having an earplug is such a

huge improvement over not having an earplug that I recommend you

choose comfort over NRR. It's vital that you put in the earplugs,

and if they're uncomfortable, you're less likely to do that.

Avoid the plugs rated 20 and under in the list. They ranged from really uncomfortable to downright painful. They're also among the least effective plugs in the range, so there's really nothing to recommend them.

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permanently.

~~So, I guess my~~ recommendation is order up a pair of each of the

My recommendation is to either order up a pair of each of the

likely looking plugs from the list ([http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ The Ear Plug Store] will sell you an individual pair of each type to test) ~~and try~~ them out. ~~I can~~

likely looking plugs from the list ([http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ The Ear Plug Store] will sell you an individual pair of each type to test) or get one of the sampler packs. Try them all out. You'll end up wasting some of them, but given the fact that you won't really know what fits until you try them on, this is the best way to figure out which ones will work.

~~guarantee you that the low-rated plugs aren~~'~~t even worth trying,~~

~~so buying the sampler pack may be something~~ of ~~a waste. However~~, given the fact ~~mentioned above~~ that you won't really know what fits until you try them ~~out~~, ~~one of~~ the ~~samplers should give you a good idea of what~~ will work.

Ride with each plug in, ideally back to back and in similar

conditions. Figure out which one works well for you, then buy a

bunch of them so you never worry about "wasting" them. These plugs

can all be worn multiple times, but by the time they're visibly dirty,

can all be worn multiple times, but by the time they're visibly dirty, toss them and use a new pair. In between uses you can use a plastic film canister (do they still make those?), or any other small plastic container, to keep them from getting dirty. Even a ziploc bag works great. People worried about ear infections may not want to use plugs more than once.

toss them and use a new pair. In between uses you can use a plastic

film ~~cannister~~ (do they still make those?), or any other small

plastic container, to keep them from getting dirty. Even a ziploc bag works great.

====SilentEar silicone earplugs====

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The webBikeWorld [http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm Hearing Protection] page has reviews and links to many pages of information on this topic.

Some club members have had good luck with the [http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0037460227874a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=earplugs&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=earplugs&noImage=0 Custom-Molded Earplugs] from Cabela's. A type of these are also available from [http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ The Earplug Store]. Wal-Mart has been known to carry them also~~, although whether or not they'll have them next week is anybody's guess~~. Look in the hunting section. Make sure you read the reviews on the Cabela's site. Some people like these; some don't.

Some club members have had good luck with the [http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0037460227874a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=earplugs&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=earplugs&noImage=0 Custom-Molded Earplugs] from Cabela's. A type of these are also available from [http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ The Earplug Store]. Wal-Mart has been known to carry them also. Look in the hunting section. Make sure you read the reviews on the Cabela's site. Some people like these; some don't.

The [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Helmet_Hints_%26_Tips#Decreasing_noise_.26_cold_air_flow Windjammer II] inserts around the bottom of your helmet. It can keep unwanted noise and airflow out.

@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 [[image:ear plugs 003-2.jpg|120px]]
-The plugs must also seal well in your ears. You can easily tell when this happens. If you find a pair of plugs that seal well in your ear canals but stick out too far, you can always cut them off. Just don't cut them so short that you have to go to the doctor every time you want to remove them. You could also get a [http://www.newenough.com/helmets_eyewear/head_wraps_helmet_liners_other_accessories/do_wrap/coolmax_skull_cap.html "skull cap"] and pull it down over your ears. It should hold the plugs in place while putting on a helmet (and have the additional benefit of making your head drip in sweat).
+The plugs must also seal well in your ears. You can easily tell when this happens. If you find a pair of plugs that seal well in your ear canals but stick out too far, you can always cut them off. Sometimes cutting some off the inside helps them seal as well. You could also get a [http://www.newenough.com/helmets_eyewear/head_wraps_helmet_liners_other_accessories/do_wrap/coolmax_skull_cap.html "skull cap"] and pull it down over your ears. It should hold the plugs in place while putting on a helmet (and have the additional benefit of making your head drip in sweat).
-Just like people, ears come in all sizes and shapes. You can't really tell what size you need until you try some out, as large people can have small ears and vice-versa. That's one reason why getting a trial pack of many different kinds and finding the best one for you is a good idea. Shown below is the difference in size between the Howard Leight Max (right) and Mack's SafeSound Jr (left).
+Just like people, ears come in all sizes and shapes. You can't really tell what size you need until you try some out, as large people can have small ears and vice-versa. That's one reason why getting a trial pack of many different kinds and finding the best one for you is a good idea. Shown below is the difference in size between the Mack's SafeSound Jr (left) and Howard Leight Max (right).
 [[image:DSCN3311-3.JPG|150px]]
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 ====Earplug survey====
-Copyright 2005-2006 by [http://www.ninja250.org/IanJ Ian Johnston]
+Copyright by [http://www.ninja250.org/IanJ Ian Johnston]
 Several years ago I bought a box of 200 pairs of 3M 1100 earplugs
@@ Line 331: / Line 331: @@
 Any of the high-scoring plugs in this comparison seem like a fine
-choice. Plug fit is incredibly important and will determine comfort, noise
+choice. Plug fit is incredibly important and will determine comfort, noise reduction, pressure, and how cranky you are at the end of that 500 mile day.  NRR is important, but merely having an earplug is such a huge improvement over not having an earplug that I recommend you choose comfort over NRR.  It's vital that you put in the earplugs, and if they're uncomfortable, you're less likely to do that.
-reduction, pressure, and how cranky you are at the end of that 500
-mile day.  NRR is important, but merely having an earplug is such a
-huge improvement over not having an earplug that I recommend you
-choose comfort over NRR.  It's vital that you put in the earplugs,
-and if they're uncomfortable, you're less likely to do that.
 Avoid the plugs rated 20 and under in the list. They ranged from really uncomfortable to downright painful.  They're also among the least effective plugs in the range, so there's really nothing to recommend them.
@@ Line 347: / Line 342: @@
 permanently.
-So, I guess my recommendation is order up a pair of each of the
+My recommendation is to either order up a pair of each of the
-likely looking plugs from the list ([http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ The Ear Plug Store] will sell you an individual pair of each type to test) and try them out.  I can
+likely looking plugs from the list ([http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ The Ear Plug Store] will sell you an individual pair of each type to test) or get one of the sampler packs. Try them all out. You'll end up wasting some of them, but given the fact that you won't really know what fits until you try them on, this is the best way to figure out which ones will work.
-guarantee you that the low-rated plugs aren't even worth trying,
-so buying the sampler pack may be something of a waste. However, given the fact mentioned above that you won't really know what fits until you try them out, one of the samplers should give you a good idea of what will work.
 Ride with each plug in, ideally back to back and in similar
 conditions.  Figure out which one works well for you, then buy a
 bunch of them so you never worry about "wasting" them.  These plugs
-can all be worn multiple times, but by the time they're visibly dirty,
+can all be worn multiple times, but by the time they're visibly dirty, toss them and use a new pair.  In between uses you can use a plastic film canister (do they still make those?), or any other small plastic container, to keep them from getting dirty. Even a ziploc bag works great. People worried about ear infections may not want to use plugs more than once.
-toss them and use a new pair.  In between uses you can use a plastic
-film cannister (do they still make those?), or any other small
-plastic container, to keep them from getting dirty. Even a ziploc bag works great.
 ====SilentEar silicone earplugs====
@@ Line 403: / Line 393: @@
 The webBikeWorld [http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm Hearing Protection] page has reviews and links to many pages of information on this topic.
-Some club members have had good luck with the [http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0037460227874a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=earplugs&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=earplugs&noImage=0 Custom-Molded Earplugs] from Cabela's. A type of these are also available from [http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ The Earplug Store]. Wal-Mart has been known to carry them also, although whether or not they'll have them next week is anybody's guess. Look in the hunting section. Make sure you read the reviews on the Cabela's site. Some people like these; some don't.
+Some club members have had good luck with the [http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0037460227874a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=earplugs&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=earplugs&noImage=0 Custom-Molded Earplugs] from Cabela's. A type of these are also available from [http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/ The Earplug Store]. Wal-Mart has been known to carry them also. Look in the hunting section. Make sure you read the reviews on the Cabela's site. Some people like these; some don't.
 The [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Helmet_Hints_%26_Tips#Decreasing_noise_.26_cold_air_flow Windjammer II] inserts around the bottom of your helmet. It can keep unwanted noise and airflow out.