Q.Hi, I am looking for hearing protection while riding my motorcycle both for the wind noise and exhaust note. I have upgraded to a quieter helmet and tried a variety of disposable ear plugs. They all either don’t work, are difficult to put in or hurt after a short time.
My left ear canal is smaller and shallow before it turns a sharp corner. I looked on your site and there are lots of options which is good but confusing, so, I’m looking for recommendations.
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A.You did the smart thing by starting with disposable ear plugs, but with two differently-sized ears - a very common situation, by the way! - your best bet will probably be a custom ear plug. They are extremely low-profile, to fit under any helmet, and the custom sizing means you'll get the right fit.
I would suggest that you begin with a DIY (Do-It Yourself) custom product, which are inexpensive and quick to make yourself in your own home, of which we have several:
- Radians Custom DIY Ear Plugs are our top pick for DIY custom plugs, with a variety of colors, easy set-up - mixing putty and forming to the shape of the ear - and an inexpensive price tag. Five-star rated by our customers, tried and true for years. Moderate NRR 26 hearing protection will cut the wind noise without totally removing your situational awareness, for safer city cruising.
- E.A.R. Inc. DIY Custom Ear Plug Kits come in a few more colors, but are more expensive than Radians. They provide similar NRR 26 protection from noise. Not as well rated by our customers, but also a solid choice, especially if you want fluorescent colors.
- Decibullz DIY Custom Molded Ear Plugs, which present a lot of benefits. They're heated with water, no putty to mix, and you can re-mold them if they're not perfect the first time. An impressive NRR 31 makes these good for blocking the most noise - which may actually be a little too much, if you're riding in a busy area and need to stay somewhat aware of ambient sounds.
All the DIY custom plugs are inexpensive and easy to use. Once you get some and try them out, if you like the way they work, but want a better set, we can help you get some professional lab made custom ear plugs. These will last for years, fit the best, irritate your ears the least after very long trips, and provide the best hearing protection - plus a range of options, styles, NRRs, and custom colors. Two choices stand out, if you're already sure you want to take the plunge:
- Perfect-Fit CMCP Model Custom Motorcycle Ear Plugs, which are ultra low profile, canal-only plugs designed not to interfere with a helmet, with a moderate (relatively, for a pro custom plug) price tag. These have a wide array of color and style options, such as sparkles, swirls, and glow-in-the-dark, to match your bike and your personality.
- Westone Defendear 4RT Motorsport Custom-Fit Ear Plugs, which are just as low-profile, still offer some good color options, and come with the option of adding Slic-Sil anti-microbial coating - something you may very much appreciate during pit-stops out on the highway, for instance. A little more expensive than Perfect-Fit.
Lab-molded custom ear plugs require you to make ear impressions. We have a kit you can purchase for an additional fee to make your molds yourself - or you can visit a local audiologist for a set of ear impressions. You'll mail back the molds to us, and the lab will ship you back your finished ear plugs. Pro customs offer the very best fit (often with a guarantee), performance, features, and customization. But they are much more expensive than other options, and the professional custom molding process takes time.
Ear Plug Superstore Exclusive Tip:
One more thing. If you want to listen to music or a phone while riding, our Challenger Custom Earphones are a great buy with a low-profile, custom fit - and our repair services can keep one pair working for years and years, even with heavy use. These provide some sound isolation, the ability to listen to your music or communications devices, and custom-molded comfort that will work perfectly for someone with different-sized ears. We have a ton of customers who swear by their Challengers.
Until next time, be safe and do the right thing.
Tom Bergman, Vice President
Ear Plug Superstore
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