Reusable earplugs?

[mrudich]

I've been hearing a lot lately that wearing ear plugs is highly recommended (if not a must) and so I just bought a couple of the disposable ear plugs, and they work great. But I find it difficult to justify wearing them on short rides. Like if I'm going to just throw them out right after, it seems like quite a waste..
So I ended up only wearing them on long rides.

I'd really like to start wearing them on every ride, but I don't like the idea of using disposable ones. Are there any good reusable ones out there? I heard that they aren't as good.. But they're better than nothing, which is what I will end up wearing if I don't get some reusable ones.

[Mountain Dew]

The earplugs I got from the army were great. Still have them over 3 years later. Use em when I mow the lawn.

[tfkrocks]

I use the same pair of disposable foam earplugs multiple times. I replace them when I notice they've decreased in effectiveness, get dirty, or it's been a week since I last replaced them.

I prefer disposable foam earplugs because I don't have to worry about losing them; I just always keep a handful of spares with me. This also means I can give them away to other people if they need it. I hated the army issued earplugs. Reusable earplugs like those hurt my ears something fierce.

[NevadaWolf]

I use these that I picked up at Ace. Love the cord since it keeps the plugs around my neck when i pull them out at stops.

I just wash the plug when it starts looking dirty (or before each ride if its been awhile). I just take my time inserting them so i won't need to fuss later.

[Sirref]

I wear plugfones which are pretty much the same thing as nvwolf's except with music

disposable earplugs are a bit of a waste if you use them a lot, I only use my disposables at the gun range since they don't allow music

[GHill762]

I use disposables until they're worn out or I lose them, usually I lose them long before they're unusable.. lowes has 80 pars for like 11 bucks..

[Jono]

Originally Posted by tfkrocks

I use the same pair of disposable foam earplugs multiple times. I replace them when I notice they've decreased in effectiveness, get dirty, or it's been a week since I last replaced them.

I prefer disposable foam earplugs because I don't have to worry about losing them; I just always keep a handful of spares with me. This also means I can give them away to other people if they need it. I hated the army issued earplugs. Reusable earplugs like those hurt my ears something fierce.

^^^
This.

Get these. This will last you at least a year. It's a cheap way to keep your hearing.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_31083-98-920...ductId=3102175

[Kevin1956]

Most helmets have an "ear cup", an open cavity where your ears sit. Check with your helmet manufacturer's website, as many sell an optional ear pad that will snap into the helmet. They'll reduce noise significantly, letting you avoid using ear plugs.

[Alex]

Reusable is good, but even if you dispose them every ride; in bulk many ear plugs can be had for less than 10 cents per pair. Every time you jump on your bike you're spending many times that in fuel and tire wear; the earplug cost is a nit.

[bkh2]

I use these:
http://www.surefire.com/ep4-sonic-defenders-plus.html

I was able to find a retailer locally and picked it up for $15. They are very comfortable, easy to use, and quite effective. I got them about a year ago and I have seen no degradation in quality.

[fishdip]

I just got a set online (plugfones) will report how well they work.

[Ralgha]

I use disposable ones over and over and over.

[fishdip]

All items are disposable its just a issue of how many times you want to use them.

[Alex]

A friend of mine who is well known for being, well, frugal, takes the disposable ones and puts them in the dishwasher when they get a bit worn. He swears they recover to almost new quality, and he gets much more life out of them before eventually throwing them out.

[b.miller123]

I prefer hearos. You can find them at just about any Walgreens or similar store. They have some of the best db reduction ratings and still let you hear well enough to have a conversation if needed. I use them multiple times until they get too dirty. I like the blue ones.

There is NO replacement for a good set of ear plugs. I never ride without them. Once your hearing is gone, it doesn't come back. After 5 years of working on jets in the Navy and two deployments on aircraft carriers, I need to keep what hearing I have left.

[tfkrocks]

http://www.earplugstore.com/boxes-of...-earplugs.html

I buy a box of the cheapest earplugs rated at NRR 33 and are soft. Should last you a good long time and then you can just put a stash of them just about everywhere so you're never without earplugs. The last ones I bought were the Radian Deflectors.

[flitecontrol]

Originally Posted by Alex

A friend of mine who is well known for being, well, frugal, takes the disposable ones and puts them in the dishwasher when they get a bit worn. He swears they recover to almost new quality, and he gets much more life out of them before eventually throwing them out.

^This. Rinse them well, squeeze the water out and allow to dry. They last a long, long time and perform like new.

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by Alex

A friend of mine who is well known for being, well, frugal, takes the disposable ones and puts them in the dishwasher when they get a bit worn. He swears they recover to almost new quality, and he gets much more life out of them before eventually throwing them out.

Just leave them in the pocket of your pant when you toss them into the washer once a week. They'll come out looking like new and your good for another week or month depending on how clean your ears are.

[mrudich]

Looks like I'm gonna go with a large pack of disposables and see how long they last me.
Thanks!

Also, what do you guys usually do with them once at your destination? I don't know about just putting them in my pants pockets (kinda gross putting them back in my ears)

[rojoracing53]

Originally Posted by mrudich

Looks like I'm gonna go with a large pack of disposables and see how long they last me.
Thanks!

Also, what do you guys usually do with them once at your destination? I don't know about just putting them in my pants pockets (kinda gross putting them back in my ears)

I stick them under the gas cap flip lid that hides the key hole. Just flip it up set them over he key hole and flip it back. Don't press it down, just let the little spring hold it in place.

[iamjacob]

Originally Posted by mrudich

Looks like I'm gonna go with a large pack of disposables and see how long they last me.
Thanks!

Also, what do you guys usually do with them once at your destination? I don't know about just putting them in my pants pockets (kinda gross putting them back in my ears)

I keep a ziplock in my jacket pocket but as a kid I remember having one of these...


Ear Plug Case

[tooblekain]

Originally Posted by bkh2

I use these:
http://www.surefire.com/ep4-sonic-defenders-plus.html

I was able to find a retailer locally and picked it up for $15. They are very comfortable, easy to use, and quite effective. I got them about a year ago and I have seen no degradation in quality.

Hands down the best commuter ear plugs where you need to be able to hear stuff around busy streets, etc.

I tried these on the track and they were still too noisy even with the plug placed in the noise breaker. I prefer earplugs for the track

[Alex]

They go in the pocket. The ones I order all come in that folding cardboard case, so if I'm feeling OCD I put them back in the little cardboard pouch before they go back in the pocket.

[NevadaWolf]

Round my neck and just let them hang there. Have to be careful if removing my jacket as they tend to fall off then.

Otherwise, they go in their little container and then in my tankbag.

[ez12a]

Originally Posted by tooblekain

Hands down the best commuter ear plugs where you need to be able to hear stuff around busy streets, etc.

I tried these on the track and they were still too noisy even with the plug placed in the noise breaker. I prefer earplugs for the track

try another level up:
http://www.amazon.com/EP5-Hearing-Pr...e+defender+max

they work nicely but not as well as hearos xtreme foam plugs when on the freeway with a lot of wind noise (not enough to be damaging i think, but annoying). I have the Large size Max.

disposable plugs can be used a handful of times before i throw them out. They dont spring back the way they do after a few uses i find. Washing them just makes them less effective.

[tfkrocks]

I designated the left pocket of my riding jacket as my ear plugs pocket.

[Yakaru]

I used disposables for over a year like everyone else here -- they're pretty cheap and work well. Now I use these: http://www.plugup.com/ -- the creator was at the International Motorcycle Show doing molds and I got 2 sets which I'm very happy with, but they aren't cheap.

[redbike2]

b miller 123 - same here. noticed that hearos had some the best noise reduction and high freq performance.

use 'em all the time - frequencies that you don't notice can do a job on your hearing. earplugs are really part of the atgatt theory.

[flitecontrol]

I keep mine in an old plastic 35mm film case with a snap lid. But since these are getting as scarce as hen's teeth, a pill tube would work too. Keeps them from picking up any dirt in a pocket and they'll stay cleaner longer.

[capt_bugaloo]

I keep earplugs inside an old pill bottle whenever I travel.

[Alex]

Some good threads on earplugs we have put together:

Do You Use Earplugs When You Ride?

Earplugs and why you should wear them

[b.miller123]

Originally Posted by tooblekain

Hands down the best commuter ear plugs where you need to be able to hear stuff around busy streets, etc.

I tried these on the track and they were still too noisy even with the plug placed in the noise breaker. I prefer earplugs for the track

Originally Posted by ez12a

try another level up:
http://www.amazon.com/EP5-Hearing-Pr...e+defender+max

they work nicely but not as well as hearos xtreme foam plugs when on the freeway with a lot of wind noise (not enough to be damaging i think, but annoying). I have the Large size Max.

disposable plugs can be used a handful of times before i throw them out. They dont spring back the way they do after a few uses i find. Washing them just makes them less effective.

I've seen those, but with a 24 or 26 nrr, I've passed on them. The NRR level is how many decibels the reduce sound by, and decibels are on a logarithmic scale. So 60db is 10x louder than 50db. So 24 nrr plugs are going to be almost 10x louder than 33nrr plugs with the same noise source.

I need the best I can get. Also, that type of plug with the stepped cones has never fit my ears right. On top of that, I don't like the feeling of pulling them out. They tend to create a vacuum in my ear canal when removing and pressure when installing.

I've never had an issue with the hearos being too quiet. I don't spend a lot of time in busy cites on my bikes. But when I do, I don't ever feel like I am missing out on something. If anything I am paying more attention because they tend to mute out all the unnecessary stuff. I can still hear my engine, or hear car engines/tires from nearby vehicles. Usually I ride at the track or general street riding. Even wind at 25 or 35 mph can damage your hearings. I can hold conversations with the helmet on as long as the other person isn't talking quietly.

[mgentz]

I get 33 db reduction disposables from work for free...however, I still reuse them 2-3 times.

[Kscreations08]

These Plugfones.... they look pretty nifty... Can you wash them?

[fishdip]

So I got the plugphones and man I love them. But after 1 week the left one stop working I e-mail the company about it as they have no number and after 3 days they e-mail me back saying sorry I got a defective pair and they are sending me a new set no need to send the old ones back.

[fishdip]

Originally Posted by Kscreations08

These Plugfones.... they look pretty nifty... Can you wash them?

No way to get the speaker out. But clean with a damp cloth is all you need to do.

[g21-30]

I didn't bother searching for my earlier post on this subject, but here is one option:

http://www.radians.com/radsite/index...olded-earplugs



I regularly use disposable ones purchased from CVS about 5 years ago. Still have about 20 or so left. I do you them multiple times before tossing them.

[JohnnyBravo]

You smoke nasty cigarettes? Just save butts an jam them up in ya hole

[mgentz]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

You smoke nasty cigarettes? Just save butts an jam them up in ya hole

could work.....but.....ewwww

[ez12a]

Originally Posted by g21-30

I didn't bother searching for my earlier post on this subject, but here is one option:

http://www.radians.com/radsite/index...olded-earplugs

I tried these two different times using different methods (mouth closed, mouth open), still didnt work out too well for me since the helmet pushes on my ear when I wear it and changes the shape.

when they're fully seated it's great, but the seal breaks and it's useless.

The surefire sonic defenders stay in better since they're compliant.