Anyone here with experience of custom ear plugs?
Every year I think about getting some and never get around to it. I use disposable ones, but after and hour or so they start to get really uncomfortable - I've got a mixed bag of different ones to work my way though, so may stumble upon ones that reduce noise and are comfortable, but I still think custom may be best?
I had a pair made in jan 2005 at the manchester bike show, they were £55. Still using them today and thet are all day comfy would highly recommend them
I've got some and I'd recommend them. The best part is that they filter out the harmful frequencies but you can still hear other sounds, unlike disposables that just block everything in my experience.
Thanks chaps, what brands do you have?
We use bike-to-bike intercoms so I would still need to be able to hear that :)
Quote from: Xorro on March 06, 2014, 03:35:42 PM
Thanks chaps, what brands do you have?
We use bike-to-bike intercoms so I would still need to be able to hear that :)
In that case custom plugs will be better, As DW says they are designed to cut out the damaging white noise created by the wind round you helmet but allow you hear what you need to hear. The other option would be custom earplugs with in ear monitors but they are £180 upwards. Can't remember who actually made mine by Ultimate ear is a well known co, and I beleive Specsavers has an ear protection department that do custom plugs for motorcyclists, can't say how good or otherwise they are though.
I got mine at the BMF show years ago. I think it was Ultimate Ear.
raydial got some done while we were at the mcn bikeshow last month
no idea who the company where, hopefully he will be along in a bit to advise
I have been using Ultimate Ear custom plugs day in, day out for 4 years of commuting. Great product, recommended.
I have the ones with built in speakers, really helps the boring commute with some tunes.
Martin.
I've got some and, on the flipside, hate them with a passion.
I find them far too uncomfortable after a couple of hours as they are harder than foam and irritate my ear canals.
I find the foam plugs that Halfords sell (the domed ones rather that the barrel ones) are perfect for all day wearing.
Quote from: MOz on March 07, 2014, 12:45:55 PM
I've got some and, on the flipside, hate them with a passion.
I find them far too uncomfortable after a couple of hours as they are harder than foam and irritate my ear canals.
I find the foam plugs that Halfords sell (the domed ones rather that the barrel ones) are perfect for all day wearing.
Where did you get them made? If properly moulded they shouldn'e be uncomfortable, sounds like they weren't done quite right, how long ago did you get them made?
At the bike show some time ago now but they hurt immediately after I got them but it took a few hours of wearing them to notice. My ears would have grown since then I guess.
Sounds like they've done something wrong to me?
If you've got the money: http://www.acscustom.com/motorsport/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=108&Itemid=78
Very good!
Quote from: MOz on March 07, 2014, 07:44:03 PM
At the bike show some time ago now but they hurt immediately after I got them but it took a few hours of wearing them to notice. My ears would have grown since then I guess.
definitely not made right then, as I say I've had mine since 2005 and they still fit fine, ears don't change much as an adult
Your ears continue to grow and change throughout your life Iain. Custom plugs are only expected to last 5-7 years at a time.
They were proper custom plugs - had the shit syringed into my ears and collected them at the end of the show. They were very disappointing and a huge waste of cash.
I had a very similar experience to Moz too I'm afraid.
I got some proper expensive custom plugs made for me at the bmf show in 2004.
They dislodged about 2 thirds of the time when I pulled my helmet over my lugs.
The company had great customer services and a guy even came up to my house and made me some brand new ones but they wereno good either.
They dislodged too easily but eve if I managed to very carefully keep them in place while pulling my hat on,....they were uncomfortable after an hour and agony after 2 hours.
For me that aren't a patch on quality foam plugs, they cut nowhere near enough sound out either.
Despite money being almost no object, what plugs go you see Vale and the boys using?
Makes you think.
I got a set made at the Scottish Bike show yesterday, I've been having a bit of gyp lately with one of my ears and have been in pain using the same brand foam ones I've been using for years. Fingers crossed these new ones will sort that issue.
Be interested to see how you get on with them rhino, as was thinking of getting some made too, finding more and more that the standard throw away jobs are hurting my ears and dont seem to be doing the job very well.
Quote from: whoopee on March 08, 2014, 09:38:30 AM
I had a very similar experience to Moz too I'm afraid.
I got some proper expensive custom plugs made for me at the bmf show in 2004.
They dislodged about 2 thirds of the time when I pulled my helmet over my lugs.
The company had great customer services and a guy even came up to my house and made me some brand new ones but they wereno good either.
They dislodged too easily but eve if I managed to very carefully keep them in place while pulling my hat on,....they were uncomfortable after an hour and agony after 2 hours.
For me that aren't a patch on quality foam plugs, they cut nowhere near enough sound out either.
Despite money being almost no object, what plugs go you see Vale and the boys using?
Makes you think.
you aren't comparing apples with apples, GP boys just need plugs to stop as much noise as possible where as road riders only need the damaging white noise reduced but still need to here what is going on around for safety. Different environments.
mmm So far.....so-so!! Found it awkward getting them to stay in when pulling the lid on, though it might just be a case of getting used to them and getting a 'knack'
Worse than that was (This is kind of hard to explain) It felt like they weren't a perfect fit as when going over rough terrain, cobbled streets etc you could 'hear/feel' the vibration more than you would normally.
Anyhoo due to electrical issues with the Triple I'm not going to be using them again for a week or two.
Sorry to hear that Rhino - but not surprised in the least either.
You are having exactly the same issues as I did with mine - oh except I really persevered with mine & discovered that mine were also really painful after a while.
I hope they work out for you in the long run.
Quote from: Green_Ninja on March 10, 2014, 03:31:42 PM
Quote from: whoopee on March 08, 2014, 09:38:30 AM
I had a very similar experience to Moz too I'm afraid.
I got some proper expensive custom plugs made for me at the bmf show in 2004.
They dislodged about 2 thirds of the time when I pulled my helmet over my lugs.
The company had great customer services and a guy even came up to my house and made me some brand new ones but they wereno good either.
They dislodged too easily but eve if I managed to very carefully keep them in place while pulling my hat on,....they were uncomfortable after an hour and agony after 2 hours.
For me that aren't a patch on quality foam plugs, they cut nowhere near enough sound out either.
Despite money being almost no object, what plugs go you see Vale and the boys using?
Makes you think.
you aren't comparing apples with apples, GP boys just need plugs to stop as much noise as possible where as road riders only need the damaging white noise reduced but still need to here what is going on around for safety. Different environments.
Ermm yeah....ok....get expensive custom made earplugs if you don't want much sound blocking out.
Mine excelled at that!
So I've booked an appointment with Ultimate Ear this afternoon, who knew they were on my doorstep!?
After reading a few of the reviews above now I'm not so sure :undecided:
I use an Arai RX 7 Corsair and with my 35mile commute each day it gets quite loud.
Quote from: Jonesy on March 28, 2014, 10:12:15 AM
So I've booked an appointment with Ultimate Ear this afternoon, who knew they were on my doorstep!?
After reading a few of the reviews above now I'm not so sure :undecided:
I use an Arai RX 7 Corsair and with my 35mile commute each day it gets quite loud.
what is the issue with the reviews? One thing I have noticed is that there is more room around the ears in Arai's compered to Shoei's and sometimes my earplugs move, this never happens with the Shoei, I think some one mentioned Arai's have a 'pocket' to fit Autocom speakers which would explain this.
Quote from: MOz on March 07, 2014, 10:49:29 PM
They were proper custom plugs - had the shit syringed into my ears and collected them at the end of the show. They were very disappointing and a huge waste of cash.
Quote from: whoopee on March 19, 2014, 07:34:35 AM
Ermm yeah....ok....get expensive custom made earplugs if you don't want much sound blocking out.
Mine excelled at that!
The above reviews.
Had a set made in 2005 by Headset Services at Shoreham Airport - been using them ever snce with zero issues.
My ear canals are so totally different foam plugs are all but useless for me.
Just been down to have the mold made :)
Having the moulds made is not a pleasant feeling!
Quote from: David W on March 28, 2014, 06:42:16 PM
Having the moulds made is not a pleasant feeling!
It was quite weird-- put a small sponge plug in, then squirted very cold silicon in :-/ sat still and quiet for 5 mins and it was all over!
He said there's a lifetime g'tee on the fitment and any issues at all I could take them back!
Quote from: Jonesy on March 28, 2014, 07:05:07 PM
Quote from: David W on March 28, 2014, 06:42:16 PM
Having the moulds made is not a pleasant feeling!
It was quite weird-- put a small sponge plug in, then squirted very cold silicon in :-/ sat still and quiet for 5 mins and it was all over!
He said there's a lifetime g'tee on the fitment and any issues at all I could take them back!
What if they go bankrupt though ?...they could be ear today, gone tomorrow.
I'll get my coat
How can there be a lifetime guarantee on fitment when your ears will grow per time and they'll cease to fit properly?? Will he make you a new set??
I've got some custom moulded ear plugs. Instruments of torture after a couple of hours. They were made up by my local hospital ENT dept.
Quote from: MOz on March 29, 2014, 07:29:27 AM
How can there be a lifetime guarantee on fitment when your ears will grow per time and they'll cease to fit properly?? Will he make you a new set??
Just telling you what he told me!
Assume perhaps your ear canal doesn't grow maybe?
Quote from: Jonesy on March 29, 2014, 09:39:59 AM
Quote from: MOz on March 29, 2014, 07:29:27 AM
How can there be a lifetime guarantee on fitment when your ears will grow per time and they'll cease to fit properly?? Will he make you a new set??
Just telling you what he told me!
Assume perhaps your ear canal doesn't grow maybe?
The canal won't but the surround that the plug moulds into will change over time (although not massively so). I was told when I bought mine they expected the lifespan of the plug for a decent fit to be 5yrs. I'm going to find mine now and try them!!
Ultimate Ear will be at silver stone next month at a CSS day, I'm wondering whether I can just got and get moulds done, even if I'm not in the CSS event.
I doubt they'll turn you away!
Quote from: komp on March 06, 2014, 04:17:34 PM
raydial got some done while we were at the mcn bikeshow last month
no idea who the company where, hopefully he will be along in a bit to advise
I used to have Ultimate Ear earplugs until I lost one. I think my current ones are by Auritech although I can't see custom ear plugs on their website.
I find them much more comfortable than foam ear plugs. The Auritech ones don't come as far out of the ear canal as the bulkier Ultimate Ear versions. They both worked well at speed but the Auritech ones have a sort of filter thingy in them that lets you hear more clearly when off the bike. I could still make out conversations with them in and my helmet on.