Earplug recommendations?

[wi11iam]

I've lurked around these parts (and the TVR forums) for some time and have finally taken the plunge and taken ownership of a 1.8VVC SV.

Concussion, non car related, on Sunday is currently limiting the amount of driving I can do (the 48 hours doesn't have long left to run though ) but one of the first impressions on the trip home is the need for ear plugs. And a similarly themed post on here.

Anyone have any recommendations?

I'm looking at these but others' experiences would be helpful.

[sjg]

I like those ones for biking use. Have a look on eBay though, you can get smaller quantities (10-20 pairs) for a couple of quid delivered so get a few types to try. I tend to order from seller rubber_soul_01 who is very good and quick, but there are plenty of others.

[Smollet]

Get these.
http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/index.php?optio...
Brilliant but not cheap

[grenpayne]

I originally tried the foam ones and found they were crap. So after lots of reading I went for some ER20 musicians earplugs and think they are great.

The normal sized ones are here.

And the smaller ones (which I have as my ear canals are narrow) are here.

I like them because they allow you to hear all sound normally (including the exhaust ) but with a equal drop in noise levels across the whole spectrum.

[Shaun_E]

Definitely try a few different ones as what suits one person might not suit you. The custom moulded ones are great but not cheap. I really don't get on with the Chrsitmas tree shaped ones. The foam ones work well if properly inserted and will give as much protection as custom ones. I usually use 3M 1120 as they are designed for narrower ear canals which I seem to have.

[nomisesor]

I wonder why we've all got narrow ear canals? Not getting great results with the normal foam ones either - after a while they work their way out, noise increases and it looks as if I've got two orange traffic cones sticking out of my ears. You can't safely reinsert them as you need two hands, plus, if one becomes too loose and you put it in the brake handle recess, it zooms off like a wasp when you hit a certain speed.

[Aeroscreens]

Another vote for ER20 plugs. Me and the Mrs are currently using them on our Italian Lakes/Swiss Alps blat. No problem with ears ringing after long drives and we're still able to chat, albeit loudly, to each other and that's not bad considering we're aeroscreened.

[fergus]

I use ACS duocom/drivercom which are custom moulded plugs with their "biopact" filter built into them which offers a -27dB reduction in noise levels. I can hear my ipod at 140+ on the bike (on a track of course). Allow you to hear some noise aound you when pootling along due to the way the filte works. A good investment if you need to use an intercom and you'll look far less of a tw@ than people wearing practice headsets.....

[Nicodema]

Hi fergus,

If you're using molded "headphone" plugs like that, what do you do for the mic side?

Cheers
Martyn

[fergus]

Nicodema said:

Hi fergus,

If you're using molded "headphone" plugs like that, what do you do for the mic side?

Cheers
Martyn

Hi. I have a tiny boom mic which effectively has two mics in it. One side faces the font of the helmet and any input from this is filtered out digitally. The other side is against my mouth. This just clips inside the base of the helmet, only leaving a small DIN plug to connect.

[Nicodema]

Gotcha. I thought you had a solution for intercom without practise headsets OR helmets. I wonder if anyone does a comfortable electret throat mic.

[Yellow 7]

For gigs the ER20 musician ones are great ~20dB attenuation.
For motorsport I use LaserLite Corded 35dB attenuation.

A loud engine will be what ~115dB peak so 35dB attenuation makes sense.
A loud gig will be perhaps 105dB, so use the right plug for the job.

20dB is prob ok for wind noise in a 7 but 35dB is going to be better for longer.

I find the Laserlite ones work very well (cheap as chips) as they are shaped and if inserted properly
(you have the wet them and suck em small and them lift your ear upwards to open the ear canal whilst wriggling the squeezed plug into ear... cord is good but not essential.

Edited by Yellow 7 on Friday 15th July 22:59

Edited by Yellow 7 on Friday 15th July 23:00

[EFA]

These are posher than most http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/f1-paddock-club-earplugs-/16...