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Hearing Protection

3K views 20 replies 19 participants last post by  ScottTheFalcon 
#1 · (Edited)
Has anyone used the Pinlock ear plugs?

I have had molded plugs for about 4 years and time for a change.

Thanks
 

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#5 ·
YES! I,ve had 3 sets of earmolds and used to wear them every night as well as on rides.After 10 years of using earmolds (I still have a pair)
I changed to the Pinlock ones 12months ago and havent looked back. I keep 2 sets and cannot recommend them highly enough . They are far more comfortable than the earmolds and dont go manky and need recoating every year or two (remembering i used to wear mine every night)
Granted the Pinlocks are about 95% as effective as the earmolds, but are so much easier to live with.they are far more discrete also and can be carried and worn to music concerts etc, workshop use or when visiting the mother in law ;)
The only things I can fault: the colour - they can be hard to find if you drop one..(I always got bright flouro earmolds for that reason)
sometimes- not commonly but it has happened- the little red filter(s) can fall out if you squeeze the plug unnecessarily. You loose that filter you can throw the pinlocks to the shithouse.Thankfully its red which gives you 1/2 a chance of finding it!
The pinlock case is a stupid joke. throw it away before it gives you the shits.
Cough up the $30 and you,ll never look back.
 
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#6 ·
Big Buck Solution

I used foam plugs for years. Got molded plugs from going to Moto Shows. My first of these was great because the maker had the courage to make the thing deep, but I lost them. All the other molded plugs would "unstick" from the canal, usually on donning the helmet or within a couple minutes. I began to wear beanies pulled down over my ears to stop the helmet edge from moving the external ear and unsticking the plug. I'd even be able to pull up a shoulder and press a bit on the helmet to restick the plug in the canal.

So, foam worked but hurt my ear canal after so many hours, and molded plugs let in too much of the wrong kind of noise. Went to Costco audiologist--don't do ear plugs. Went to real audiologist inside a dermatology palace and she listened to my tale of noise woe very patiently. She ordered a deeply fitting but very short plug made by a lab from her mold kit. They have semi rigid stalks and have to pulled out of the canal as I can't get them with fingernails and I do carry tweezers in case of a problem. They fit very precisely, never hurt the canal, never become unstuck. About $180, roughly the same amount I had spent over the years on all the other solutions. I keep them in the supplied flat case, always in my ears or my tank bag. I know I will inevitably lose them but at least I know what to do then.

I figure none of you will go that far, and the vast majority don't have misshaped ear canals like me so you don't have a problem like mine. She was, however, my last resort and she hacked the mission wonderfully. Alexandra de Groot, AuD. With that wonderful name, she couldn't fail.
 
#7 ·
I used foam plugs for years. Got molded plugs from going to Moto Shows. My first of these was great because the maker had the courage to make the thing deep, but I lost them. All the other molded plugs would "unstick" from the canal, usually on donning the helmet or within a couple minutes. I began to wear beanies pulled down over my ears to stop the helmet edge from moving the external ear and unsticking the plug. I'd even be able to pull up a shoulder and press a bit on the helmet to restick the plug in the canal.

So, foam worked but hurt my ear canal after so many hours, and molded plugs let in too much of the wrong kind of noise. Went to Costco audiologist--don't do ear plugs. Went to real audiologist inside a dermatology palace and she listened to my tale of noise woe very patiently. She ordered a deeply fitting but very short plug made by a lab from her mold kit. They have semi rigid stalks and have to pulled out of the canal as I can't get them with fingernails and I do carry tweezers in case of a problem. They fit very precisely, never hurt the canal, never become unstuck. About $180, roughly the same amount I had spent over the years on all the other solutions. I keep them in the supplied flat case, always in my ears or my tank bag. I know I will inevitably lose them but at least I know what to do then.

I figure none of you will go that far, and the vast majority don't have misshaped ear canals like me so you don't have a problem like mine. She was, however, my last resort and she hacked the mission wonderfully. Alexandra de Groot, AuD. With that wonderful name, she couldn't fail.
I have the exact same problem with the foam, they hurt after a while and I have to take them out for a bit at rest stops.
Still using them though, that's the best I can do for now. They really do quiet things down a lot when pushed in far enough.
 
#11 ·
I wear an open face helmet and seriously don't find the wind noise a problem.:smile2: Having to put them in and take them out would just be so annoying to this lazy little black duck.

Coops.
 
#10 ·
Initially I used mouldable ear plugs, but they were a hassle. Then I used industrial ear plugs and squeezed them to get them to stay in my ears. They were quite good.

Now I use Sony earphones with my iPod - I also use them when sleeping, especially within snoring distance of others in tents, hostels, motel rooms, etc. I find that set at the correct volume I can listen to music, hear important sounds from outside but not hear road or other extraneous noises.

On dirt (and previously on sand) I still use them but don't have the iPod running - I'm too busy concentrating!

Doug
 
#12 ·
I use the foam ear plugs you get at the drug store, I get the lowest db rating I can find, usually -32 or -33. They work well for me in cool, dry conditions, but in hot, humid weather the foam becomes too soft to get all the way in my ear. I'd like to find a non foam plug that cuts the same amount of volume as the foam plugs. These Pinlocks that the OP mentions only seem to have a -26 db rating.

I did have a set of those custom fit ear plugs made, not sure if they were low quality, but they filtered NO wind noise but did a great job of eliminating the human voice.
 
#13 ·
My favorite during my working days were Howard Leight Quiet (NRR 26) corded plugs, as they were in and out frequently during the day.

For riding I used and continue to use Howard Leight Max Lite (NRR 30). When in I don't hear much of anything and have the Sena turned up to max. The big problem for me is they seem to work their way partially out if the helmet is removed frequently.

The Pinlock's look interesting and the Moldex Rockets (NRR 27) too.
 
#14 ·
I've not tried "pin locks" but intended on using some sort of ear plug when I rode. Have gotten lazy about local trips but do try and use something on longer distance rides. Early on I bought a couple of assortments from earplug superstore (no affiliation) and found vast differences between brands and even between models under the same brand name. I also don't listen to music or two way radios when I ride so mostly want to block wind noise to protect against tinnitus as I get older (and wiser I might add).

Rick
 
#16 ·
Custom plugs from the audiologist. Cost about $150. No pressure on the ear canal even when wearing them all day. A key trick to make them really effective is to use some special lubricant to completely seal the noise and make them easier to insert. The lubricant seems expensive but you use only a tiny amount and one little bottle lasted me more than a year.

I have tried about 20 to 30 different foam plugs and did settle on one that was relatively good. Still have a huge box of those. But the molded plugs are way better and especially for me much more comfortable. Not everybody is bothered by the pressure of the foam plugs, I am and they solve that problem well.
 
#17 ·
Moldex rockets are not what I'd consider the first choice in ear plugs. Stiff and on the large side, my ear canal hurts if I wear them beyond an hour. Further, Moldex Rockets blocked out too much high-frequency sound. I could not hear sirens until they were close. Laser Leight plugs are terrific if you prefer the semi-disposable route; foam fit, great noise cancellation rating, and cheap. I wear Peltor Tri-Flange from Wal-Mart. Being made from silicone, they fit great after an hour and unlike the Rockets, sirens are easy to hear. I snip the back half of the pull tab off, eliminating both the cord and a rather obnoxious rubbing sound that occurs when wearing a balaclava. You get three pairs to a pack and a little baggie to carry them. Not bad for $7.
 
#18 ·
I have been using the Howard Leight (MAX1-USA) and have found that they block too much sound. Have been searching for another option and have tried every option with a mid-20's noise reduction rating to no avail. I have not had much luck with the pine tree shaped ear plugs (which is what kept me from trying the "Nonoise Motor" plugs that have a similar ceramic filter in them and cost about the same.

However, I like that these come with two sizes and don't have the large center stem for removing (always interfered with my helmet). I might have to give these a try...
 
#20 ·
I use Mack Ultra Soft foam ear plugs
Molded with state-of-the-art super low-pressure, skinned and tapered foam
Provide unmatched comfort and improved hygiene.
High noise reduction rating (NRR) - 32 decibels
For loud concerts, motor sports, sleep, shooting sports, power tools, etc.

I buy them in bulk. They stay in nicely, are pretty comfortable (wear them most nights too) and cheap enough to pitch them after a few uses. I keep several sets in my tank bag and offer them up to friends who ride with me.

I bought a tub of snore blockers too, but they do not work quite as well at eliminating the noise.
 

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#21 · (Edited)
Aluminium earbuds



The ones on the right are a well known commercial offering at about $50 in Australia. I like them, but not the price.

The ones on the left took minutes on the lathe, 2 cents worth of rod stock, and $1.40 for the buds. They are possibly slightly better, maybe the buds are a slightly better fit to my ears. I tweaked the design to use 4mm buds, rather than the original's 3mm.

I'm stoked, needed to share :)
 
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