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Molded ear plugs

catch2otwo

catch2otwo

Active member
Joined
Feb 1, 2009
Location
Vacaville CA
Moto(s)
Multi
Name
Cedric
Looking for recommendations for custom molded ear plugs. Two questions,

1. Is there anyone in the bay that does the impressions in person?

2. Is it worth getting a noise filter option? I ride with a cardo for music as well as coms.

I found the company “big ear inc” and priced a set out for 170$. Seems pricey but if they work well id be ok with it. Would like to do this all locally vs mail order.
 
I had a set made at a motorcycle show many years ago. They didn't cut out the frequencies that needed to be cut out, so I didn't use them much. The next year I went back to the next motorcycle show and asked the same vendor if there was anything that they could do. They fiddled with them, but they never worked properly for me.

I eventually tried out several dozen different foam earplugs and found the ones that work best for me. I now exclusively use the 3M E-A-Rsoft SuperFit and they do everything I need. They're soft enough to still feel good after being in for eight hours, can be pulled out and reinserted multiple times at various stops, and they cut the noise by 33 dB.
 
Just make sure that you have your ears cleared of wax before you do the process. When I did mine at a motorcycle show, the first thing they did was push in a small bit of cotton (to keep the silicone from going to deep). And the result of that was it crammed my excess ear wax back into the canal. I couldn't hear for a week.
 
These have been my goto since 2008:
inearzsport.com

UH-2 Stereo

For those looking for a way to resolve the issues with an mp3 player, satellite radio, or comm system on a motorcycle and have the NEXT LEVEL in sound reproduction, this is the product for you. More bass, cleaner, thicker, fuller, sound, with comfort and protection in any riding style. It can be...
inearzsport.com

Great product, easily repaired by sending it back to them. Repairs have taken just a few weeks.
 
1950s-girl-with-fingers-in-ears-eyes-vintage-images.jpg
 
As a musician the molded earplugs with a specific decibel reduction filter are essential. But I dont ride with them. I prefer to ride with the basic squishy 39db reduction foam plugs you can get at walgreens. To answer your question, any audiologist can make the molds for you.
 
elbacalao said:
As a musician the molded earplugs with a specific decibel reduction filter are essential. But I dont ride with them. I prefer to ride with the basic squishy 39db reduction foam plugs you can get at walgreens. To answer your question, any audiologist can make the molds for you.
Click to expand...
I've never seen any foam earplugs advertised as more than 33 dB noise reduction. I want to know more about these 39 dB plugs. I would like to try some out.
 
needles said:
These have been my goto since 2008:
inearzsport.com

UH-2 Stereo

For those looking for a way to resolve the issues with an mp3 player, satellite radio, or comm system on a motorcycle and have the NEXT LEVEL in sound reproduction, this is the product for you. More bass, cleaner, thicker, fuller, sound, with comfort and protection in any riding style. It can be...
inearzsport.com

Great product, easily repaired by sending it back to them. Repairs have taken just a few weeks.
Click to expand...
I would love to try those but how do i get them to work with my cardo
 
I went to Kaiser and had them made by an audiologist.

I’ve had them over two years now and I swear by them. I was able to tell her what I was getting them for and they were tailored to riding and letting in a little noise but not too much. They’re incredibly comfy as well. I think they were $200 with my copay that included a hearing exam.

Worth every penny.
 
ScottRNelson said:
I've never seen any foam earplugs advertised as more than 33 dB noise reduction. I want to know more about these 39 dB plugs. I would like to try some out.
Click to expand...
Sorry. Typo. I meant 29. The run of the mill foam are 29 db reduction. The molded ear plugs by companies like WestTone with removeable filters usually come in 9. 15 and 25 db reduction filters. (possibly higher nowadays) The molds themselves do little to nothing in the way of noice reduction. The benefit of these type of ear plugs is the flat frequency response. Very important for musicians, not important at all for most motorcyclists.
 
I've had 2 different sets of molded ear plug made. The first set was at a moto show and the second set was done at a gun show. Both sets failed to seal on the left side after a few months. I had one set re-made and the same thing happened so I gave up on molded plugs. I stick with Howard Leights Lites foam plugs. NRR of 32dB. They're good for a couple of days of riding. 30 smackers for 200.
 
Dumb question - do our ears change over time causing the initial good fit to turn into a bad fit?
Does the ear canal expand or contract or change its shape for whatever reason? Age? temperature changes?
Or does ear plug change its shape somehow? Like maybe the material degrades over time causing shrinkage?

I've heard this complaint before - that the molded ear plugs fit fine until they don't.

Others swear by them like TWT.
 
I have a set of Loop Experience 2 earplugs that I wear at concerts. They're low profile, block the right amount of sound, and are comfortable to wear. They'd probably work very well for moto riding.
 
greenmonster said:
Dumb question - do our ears change over time causing the initial good fit to turn into a bad fit?
Does the ear canal expand or contract or change its shape for whatever reason? Age? temperature changes?
Or does ear plug change its shape somehow? Like maybe the material degrades over time causing shrinkage?

I've heard this complaint before - that the molded ear plugs fit fine until they don't.

Others swear by them like TWT.
Click to expand...

I've never had an audiologist tell me that the ear canal will change over time. The molds do though. Eventually the plastic hardens overs the years and the "fit" no longer stays true. Even with good maintenance, which is mostly washing the molds in warm water with mild soap, the mold hardens enough to fail given enough time. I've been wearing the molded ear plugs since the early 90's and have had four or five pair over that time.
 
elbacalao said:
I've never had an audiologist tell me that the ear canal will change over time. The molds do though. Eventually the plastic hardens overs the years and the "fit" no longer stays true. Even with good maintenance, which is mostly washing the molds in warm water with mild soap, the mold hardens enough to fail given enough time. I've been wearing the molded ear plugs since the early 90's and have had four or five pair over that time.
Click to expand...
It’s helpful to know they have about a 5-6 year life span. I was considering getting another set but I reckon I’ll just wait until these bite the dust.
 
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