Noise cancelling ear buds?

[Neal H]

I always wear ear plugs on the bike but I hate wearing them. I’ve tried numerous types but often struggle to get them to fit in my ears and it can sometimes take ages to get them in properly!

I was wondering whether noise cancelling ear buds are a good alternative. Obviously they need to be able to fit comfortably under a helmet. I don’t need them for comms and I’m not very bothered about music or sat nav voice instructions - it’s just something to protect my hearing.

Anyone have any recommendations?

[black-k1]

The problem with noise cancelling and bike helmet's is ensuring that the mic used to "hear" the noise that needs to be cancelled is in the right place to pick up the right noise. Different areas around the helmet have different noises at different levels and if the noise cancelling is attempting to cancel the wrong noise, it's just adding to a bad situation.

[RazerSauber]

If I understand noise properly, noise cancelling just puts the opposite soundwave into your ear at the same time as the regular soundwave so while perceived volume is lower, your ears are still getting a battering.

A better idea might be custom fitted ear plugs? I'm sure Username Kate just plugged one company on her socials with a 10% or 15% discount.

[snagzie]

Best recommendation is earplugs I'm afraid pal

And even if the ANC (automatic noise cancelling) did actually stop noise getting in, ANC is not perfect. Some are better than others, but none are perfect.

Think of them as being great for on a plane/train with low to moderate ambient noise rather than a bike with shed loads of ambient noise

Edited by snagzie on Thursday 6th April 17:40

[Neal H]

I’ve been riding for over 20 years and always used ear plugs, so it seems I’ll need to keep persevering with them! I was hoping that in that time technology may have come up with a better solution, but it seems that stuffing a rubber bung in your ear remains the best solution.

How do those who use comms systems cope - ear plugs and speakers?

[GreaseNipple]

I've tried wearing mine whilst riding. The problem for me at least is the helmet moves them when you put it on so the seal in the ear canal is disturbed and they don't work.

[modellista]

I have some nice Sony noise-cancelling earphones but I can’t get them in with my helmet on. Too bulky.

As far as “pummelling” your ears, I’m fairly certain that’s not right. The earbud uses equal and opposite energy as the outside noise passes through the earbud, thus lessening the energy that hits the eardrum. Otherwise you would hear it!

I still don’t have any constructive suggestions I’m afraid. I have some fitted earplugs for music and I find them no better than the Christmas trees which are ten a penny. I also don’t find the trees very difficult to get in, a matter of a few seconds is all. What passive earplugs are you using?

[OverSteery]

Sena do an active helmet...

https://www.sena.com/eu-en/product/momentum-inc

I've not seen any reviews etc

[Bob_Defly]

GreaseNipple said:

I've tried wearing mine whilst riding. The problem for me at least is the helmet moves them when you put it on so the seal in the ear canal is disturbed and they don't work.

You don't have them in far enough. (if you're talking about ear plugs that is)

[Neal H]

modellista said:

I have some nice Sony noise-cancelling earphones but I can’t get them in with my helmet on. Too bulky.

As far as “pummelling” your ears, I’m fairly certain that’s not right. The earbud uses equal and opposite energy as the outside noise passes through the earbud, thus lessening the energy that hits the eardrum. Otherwise you would hear it!

I still don’t have any constructive suggestions I’m afraid. I have some fitted earplugs for music and I find them no better than the Christmas trees which are ten a penny. I also don’t find the trees very difficult to get in, a matter of a few seconds is all. What passive earplugs are you using?

I’m currently using Alpine Motosafe which are a Christmas tree type soft rubber. I have more success with these than the soft squishy ones which I find I cannot get them in at all, but even with the Alpine ones I find it normally takes numerous attempts before they seal properly.

I can live with it, I was just hoping there was a better solution!

[chappj]

Get yourself a set of these - https://ultimateear.com/

I commute 100/miles a day and they are definitely worth the cost. Significantly more comfortable than your standard foam ear plugs.

[iidentifyaswoke]

Neal H said:

I’ve been riding for over 20 years and always used ear plugs, so it seems I’ll need to keep persevering with them! I was hoping that in that time technology may have come up with a better solution, but it seems that stuffing a rubber bung in your ear remains the best solution.

How do those who use comms systems cope - ear plugs and speakers?

Yes, ear plugs and helmet speakers. Turn the speaker volume up so it gets past the earplugs. The ambient noise will still have about 25dB taken off it.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Don't you need a certain level of outside noise for awareness etc?

I find if earplugs are 'too good' it has a subtle effect on my balance/handling.

Plus I like to hear the roar of tyres from cars etc and the fast speed of a car etc

[archie456]

chappj said:

Get yourself a set of these - https://ultimateear.com/

I commute 100/miles a day and they are definitely worth the cost. Significantly more comfortable than your standard foam ear plugs.

Get a set of these with speakers in.
This is the only sensible solution, wind noise is blocked with quality music in your ears, anything else is rubbish in comparison. I have a Shoei Neotec 2 with the Sena kit and use these instead.
Go for the 2 driver 'Pro' version for best sounds.

[black-k1]

iidentifyaswoke said:

Neal H said:

I’ve been riding for over 20 years and always used ear plugs, so it seems I’ll need to keep persevering with them! I was hoping that in that time technology may have come up with a better solution, but it seems that stuffing a rubber bung in your ear remains the best solution.

How do those who use comms systems cope - ear plugs and speakers?

Yes, ear plugs and helmet speakers. Turn the speaker volume up so it gets past the earplugs. The ambient noise will still have about 25dB taken off it.

I find that the volume level of my headset is only very slightly louder when using earplugs. Having the speakers correctly positioned over the ears both reduces the outside noise and ensures clarity for the sound coming from the speakers.

[black-k1]

Neal H said:

I’m currently using Alpine Motosafe which are a Christmas tree type soft rubber. I have more success with these than the soft squishy ones which I find I cannot get them in at all, but even with the Alpine ones I find it normally takes numerous attempts before they seal properly.

I can live with it, I was just hoping there was a better solution!

Are you doing the over the head move with the opposite hand to pull the ear up when putting the plug in? Moving the ear forwards and backwards while lifting it will make plug fitting much easier.

[black-k1]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Don't you need a certain level of outside noise for awareness etc?

I find if earplugs are 'too good' it has a subtle effect on my balance/handling.

Plus I like to hear the roar of tyres from cars etc and the fast speed of a car etc

The obvious question from this is "do you think it's impossible for a deaf person to safely ride a motorbike? "

[chappj]

archie456 said:

chappj said:

Get yourself a set of these - https://ultimateear.com/

I commute 100/miles a day and they are definitely worth the cost. Significantly more comfortable than your standard foam ear plugs.

Get a set of these with speakers in.
This is the only sensible solution, wind noise is blocked with quality music in your ears, anything else is rubbish in comparison. I have a Shoei Neotec 2 with the Sena kit and use these instead.
Go for the 2 driver 'Pro' version for best sounds.

Thanks for fixing the link. Those are exactly the ones I was thinking of!

[KTMsm]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

Don't you need a certain level of outside noise for awareness etc?

I find if earplugs are 'too good' it has a subtle effect on my balance/handling.

Plus I like to hear the roar of tyres from cars etc and the fast speed of a car etc

I like to be aware too - but I find I can hear in ear plugs well enough

There is a huge range of fitments and noise attenuation between the types - to start with I burnt pin holes in some as I found it the best compromise but now I use Moldex Contours which work perfectly for me

[conkerman]

Shure SE215 or Mee M6 Pro with comply foam tips are a good option. Bluetooth cables are available.

Edited by conkerman on Friday 7th April 15:12