I've recently bought a set of custom earplugs from Ultimate Ear protection based in Orpington, Kent. I bought their "Squidgy" earplugs. Its a bit fiddly as you have to make an appointment with a local audiologist who squirts gunk into your ears to make the moulds of your ear canal. You send them off and a few weeks later (or sooner if you pay them) a custom set of earplugs arrives. I must say they are simply brilliant. You all know what horrible high pitched whistling and roaring noise you get above 70mph. The plugs kill all of this noise - I got to 120mph this morning to see if the noise got too loud and all that wind noise is gone - all you hear is a low rumbling which is kinda cool.
I think one of the key reasons people buy aftermarket screen is because of wind noise - I bought a Cee Baileys Ultradome a few weeks ago thinking it would stop the noise but it made it worse! Now I've got the plugs I think I'll flog the screen.
The earplugs cost £59 and the moulds cost me £25. Quite pricey but miles better than foamies and they have a 2 yr guarantee. Anyway who cares about £90 ish quid all in if it stops you going deaf?
They look alright they do. I have to admit I just use the normal foam jobbies. I've suffered with loss of hearing for a number of years now, (work related) I aint deaf or anything but I know my hearing isnt what it should be.
I didnt know the GTR would do 120 mph. ;)
The foam jobbies cut out about 5-7 decibels but if your riding fast over a period of time that aint enough soundproofing. The squidgies (apparently) cut out 30db of noise. I can still hear police sirens though :(
You didnt get stopped did you?
Nah....it was going the other way...got a fright though.....
I've got the Biopact (http://www.hearforlife.co.uk/product_detail.php?ppid=12&catId=2&cname=custom%20made%20hearing%20protection) earplugs. These are designed to cut out wind noise. I wouldn't say they cut out the noise 100%, more that they take the edge off the noise. No noisier than being in car really. Because they are designed only to block out certain ranges, it means I can still hear music from the speakers in my helmet, and, more importantly, any horns/sirens on the road.
I also have another pair that allow headphones to be plugged in. These totally omit any road sound which i found to be very dangerous as they lull you into a false sense of security.
I've also had a couple of pairs from Ultimate Ear for a little over a year now. Absolutely brilliant, and they are a lovely bunch of people to deal with. They are usually at the bike shows, so you can get your ears done there and then providing your ears are not too waxed up.
I got one pair with built in earphones, and use those every day. Highly recommended from me.
Martin.
What does your mp3 player (or whatever you use) sound like with the in ear microphones? Can you hear anything else?
Custom plugs do do a great job and are comfortable, I have slept in mine before ;D
I made my own, I used dental alginate to make to the ear impression then cast it in plaster of paris to make the mold and then used a 2 part molding silicone to cast the plug. Top banana
Having bought the stuff to do it I did the wife's too 8)
I never found a speaker small enough to embed into it tho >:(
Quote from: GTRPete on December 19, 2010, 09:02:20 AM
What does your mp3 player (or whatever you use) sound like with the in ear microphones? Can you hear anything else?
On the ones I have totally blocks out sounds. A bit dangerous IMO
Quote from: GTRPete on December 19, 2010, 09:02:20 AM
What does your mp3 player (or whatever you use) sound like with the in ear microphones? Can you hear anything else?
The sound quality is very good. I set the volume to a comfortable level when stationary, and it is still perfectly loud enough at normal speeds.
Mine cut out the vast majority of the wind noise, but I can still hear low frequency rumble (car tyre roar for example), plus the things you need to hear like police sirens and car horns.
I rate them highly, and certainly don't consider them dangerous. The only downside I can think of is they do mask the mechanical noise of your own bike, so strange sounds or squeaks/graunches are inaudible. Not a big problem on modern, reliable bikes if you ask me.
Martin.
I have to say I prefer to be able to hear some ambient noise while I'm riding. If my foam ear plugs just cut out the high whistle of the wind and a bit of the engine noise then that is sufficient for me.
I think its important and safer to be able to hear other traffic albeit at a lower noise level than not to be able to hear anything at all.
Just thought I'd give an update on the Biopact earplugs. I'd noticed my hearing was getting worse which I attributed to all the bike riding hence the reason forpurchasing the Biopacts. The missus commented yesterday how I was no longer having to blast the TV volume which I attribute to wearing the Biopacts when riding.
That sounds a bit like me, having to turn the TV up. We have hearing tests from time to time at work as we do eye sight tests. I was that way out one day when I had a recent hearing test that I wasn't paying attention when they started and they stopped the test to see if the equipment was working. There I was sat in the booth in my own little world.....Oops!
Custom made plugs are expensive....& in my opinion foam plugs do exactly the same , they expand in your ear to match it's shape.
You can , like I did some years ago by do it your self moulded Plugs. They give you enough to do a trial one. You mix the stuff up , ram it in yer Lug hole for min or two , remove & leave to set. They worked well & were only £10
I got a set of 'soundears' by ultimate hearing - same company as the squidgies - excellent.
I use them plugged into my Zumo660, lets me listen to the Mp3 player, directions, phone calls and chat to pillion at any speed.
You can still hear the outside world, but the damaging levels of noise and windrush (whitenoise!!) are removed.
As they are custom fitted, they can be worn for hours at a time over several days with no discomfort or infection.
I recommend a tube of Elacin http://www.audiorelief.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=43&products_id=134
Eases insertion and seems to stop infection