Earplugs and a new Helmet

[Jono]

So yesterday I purchased a new helmet, Shoei Qwest. I have been riding with 3M foam earplugs 32dB for years with my old helmet, Seven-Zero-Seven Backlash but every time I tried to put on my new Shoei with the earplugs, they would get pulled out slightly which makes them worthless.



The helmet fits great once it's on my head, but it is currently kinda painful to remove as it pulls my ears. Might need to work on trying to remove the helmet differently. And yes, I am pulling on the chin straps as I'm removing it. Hopefully it will just break in and my ears won't get so pinched when removing the helmet.

I Must Have Earplugs! I absolutely hate riding without them.

Is it normal to have difficulty keeping earplugs in while putting on a new helmet? Or do I need to start looking for a different type of earplug? I don't remember having this issue with my previous helmet when it was new but I may not have been wearing earplugs back then either. Also, it didn't fit quite as snug either.

Help Me!

[Ralgha]

My first guess is that you're not using the earplugs correctly. They shouldn't stick out far enough, or be loose enough, for a helmet to pull out.

[choneofakind]

Get a set of the re-useable plugs that have the string connecting them. Pull the string, Clip 1/8" off the outside of the earplug so it clears your helmet. Problem solved. They're re-useable and can be cleaned by dunking in soap and hot water.

[Yarhj]

Originally Posted by Ralgha

My first guess is that you're not using the earplugs correctly. They shouldn't stick out far enough, or be loose enough, for a helmet to pull out.

I have to agree with this. There's almost no way properly-inserted earplugs could be affected by helmet fit. Watch this smiley fellow demonstrate proper earplug insertion.

[Jono]

Holy crap I am so stupid. Haha. I did it like the dude in the video and I could put my helmet on no problem. Man do I feel dumb. I always thought I was getting them in there deep enough but I haven't been. I mean they worked fine the way I was doing it before but now they will really work. Thanks folks. I'm dumb. Lesson learned.

[Yarhj]

To be fair, proper earplug technique is COMPLETELY unintuitive. I spent more than a year wearing them incorrectly at work (along with all of my coworkers) before I found out I had been doing it wrong in some random thread about earplug use on motorcycles on either this forum or advrider =P.

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by Jono

I always thought I was getting them in there deep enough but I haven't been.

They must touch your brain.

[Brother Michigan]

Don't feel bad about not knowing how to properly insert your earplugs. OSHA actually has a simple formula for calculating the noise reduction rating of earplugs as they're typically worn (i.e. incorrectly) that can be as low as half the stated rating.

If you ever still have issues with your helmet pulling your earplugs out, look into a silk balaclava. It will stop the ear-pulling, too.

[Panda]

You should super glue your ears shut before each ride.

Problem = solved.

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by csmith12

They must touch your brain.

"Sound deadening is not just a lifestyle, it must be at one with your soul."
-Sensei Smith.