View Full Version : Custom Ear Plugs & Handsfree
Evening All!
I am interested in getting some custom moulded Ear Plugs made but was wondering who had them and what company they recommend.
I would love to have some moulded ear plugs that kept out the noise but also worked with a handsfree kit, maybe with the microphone coming out on the one mould. Is this possible?
That would obviously work with an iPhone 4, wirelessly or by plugging into the jack.
Mr Speirs
02-02-11, 10:24 PM
I have custom moulded ones and TBH they aren't great. They extrude too far out of the ear and rest against the padding inside the helmet. This just transfers wind noise down the mould and into the ear.
This was my experience.
I have some Chris. They are absolutely fantastic, I panic if I lose one of them, as I did in France... I refused to leave the camp site until I had found it. I got them through an audiologist. Many on here will know that I'm partly deaf. If I didn't wear earplugs on the bike, my ears would ring for days afterwards, and I wear them to protect the hearing that I have left. They are so good that I forget that I have them in. Not cheap, mind. I'm sure they'd do them with a handsfree gizmo.
http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=141&Itemid=278
husky03
02-02-11, 10:42 PM
can't recommend these enough-i use custom made ear moulded ones for work crazy price it cost but well worth it-mould was taken at ear specialist like Eds and then sent to company down south-there quality is great i'l try and find out the name for you.
h.
I have some Chris.
Its Craig btw. :-P
Yeah well five letters beginning with C... slip of the pen is no fault of the mind, as my Irish mother says...
Sorry!
speedplay
02-02-11, 11:07 PM
Its Craig btw. :-P
Yeah well five letters beginning with C... slip of the pen is no fault of the mind, as my Irish mother says...
Sorry!
Could have recovered that by aiming it at mrspeirs...;)
I have looked into custom ones but have a steady supply of the disposable ones and they seem to be fine for me so cant justify the extra cost.
Drumming_Animal
02-02-11, 11:25 PM
Ah you must have seen the bikers from the emergency services with them then?
The local fuzz were doing some safe riding promotion at the local bike meet and all the biker coppers had them dangling from their necks with the mic attached to one.
They do look pretty cool, and i should imagine pretty useful to, ill keep an eye out as i wouldnt mind saving my hearing, especially being a drummer and loving loud music, im rarely in a quiet atmosphere :D
Im off the to the Excel MCN show tomorow, the shows usually have a few stands set up so ill keep an eye out
matt_rehm_hext
03-02-11, 01:35 AM
Ultimate Ear are quite good.
http://www.ultimateear.com/
Essex of Essex
03-02-11, 07:42 AM
I have a set from Ultimate ear, I would recommend them to anyone. When they took the moulds for mine they appeared to be working on a setup as you describe, with the microphone built in this was a few years ago so may well be available.
I have the ultimate ear plugs, excellent service from them and i wouldn't wear anything else.
Daryl
dizzyblonde
03-02-11, 11:26 AM
Custom ear plugs free from work.
Verdict, great for the SVs...nay on the VRap! cancels wind noise on both, but not headache from twin zorsts!
I have the ultimate ear plugs, excellent service from them and i wouldn't wear anything else.
Daryl
Not to be confused with Ultimate Ears. They make high end in ear monitors for musicians and would set you back upwards of £600 for a set!
I have to say mrspeirs I've never tried my in ears on my bike. Looks like you've saved me the bother:)
Sent from my HTC Wildfire
Myself and the wife bought some custom moulded ones at Bike show (about 80-100 I think, missus paid).
Sadly they were not good. The headphone inserts kept falling out (you can glue them in, but it only last for a few weeks before falling out again).
They are fairly uncomfortable to get in, but relatively ok once in.
However my recommendation is buy a pair of very cheep JVC ones with the mouldable foam ends (available in Sainburys). Fit these on a pair of sony earphones (about 25 quid) and actually they are really comfortable and cut out a lot of external noise, and I recon the sony earphones are pretty much the best quality on the market (and I have tried the £70 Bose ones as well as loads of others).
SUPERSTARDJ01
09-02-11, 11:24 AM
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DIYearplugs-Custom-Moulded-Earplug-Kits-Motorcycles-/230574244799?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Protective_Clothing&hash=item35af4bc3bf
BoltonSte
09-02-11, 12:20 PM
I just nick them from work.
But this reminds me, I've got one of the manufacturers coming in and they do custom plugs too. May ask them for more info, maybe an org discount?
SoulKiss
09-02-11, 12:24 PM
I still cant understand who would want to take/make phone calls while riding...
maviczap
09-02-11, 12:53 PM
I still cant understand who would want to take/make phone calls while riding...
Only Iphone users of course ;):D
dirtydog
09-02-11, 04:19 PM
Ultimate Ear are quite good.
http://www.ultimateear.com/
Thats the ones I've got, very comfy. I even use them when I'm working sometimes
I still cant understand who would want to take/make phone calls while riding...
Maybe he just wants to listen to the music on his phone?
SoulKiss
09-02-11, 04:33 PM
Thats the ones I've got, very comfy. I even use them when I'm working sometimes
Maybe he just wants to listen to the music on his phone?
Then I would assume that the word "Handsfree" and the comment about a mic built into one of the earbuds would have been missing.
In-ear type headphones - eg SkullCandy Inkd or Sony E71s do a very good job of blocking out some noise while I am listening to music while riding :)
Does anyone here use in ear headphones with the mouldable foam inserts? Just wondering how good they are at blocking noise as normal ones I find uncomfortable and dont work quite as well as i'd like in blocking out wind and exhaust noise. If they're no good im looking at the custom fit earphone/plugs route.
Steve_God
09-02-11, 05:06 PM
I got the Squidgy one and it's fantastic! Would HIGHLY recommend. As for a handfree - they do a variety of ones with the connectors for headsets built in - would be worth having a look.
Mr Speirs
09-02-11, 05:08 PM
Reeder.
I don't use them on the bike but do use them in work.
They are very good at blocking out noise, just as good as the custom moulds.
maviczap
09-02-11, 05:13 PM
Does anyone here use in ear headphones with the mouldable foam inserts? Just wondering how good they are at blocking noise as normal ones I find uncomfortable and dont work quite as well as i'd like in blocking out wind and exhaust noise. If they're no good im looking at the custom fit earphone/plugs route.
Reeder.
I don't use them on the bike but do use them in work.
They are very good at blocking out noise, just as good as the custom moulds.
Which ones do you use, as I could do with some for long drives in our works van. Wind noise is cronic and very tiring after a while.
But I can't justify £175 for the custom moulded ones, which I have for the bike, but without the speakers. Even then they get uncomfortable after a while
Bluepete
09-02-11, 05:38 PM
It's of no use to this thread, but I've just been fitted for the Sonic (I think) moulded plugs with comms built in.
Love my job some days!
I tried music whilst I rode once, didn't like it. Not interested in taking calls either. I like the fact that I can't be contacted whilst out on the Tiger. Orange foam plugs for me!
Pete ;)
Mr Speirs
09-02-11, 05:39 PM
Personally I am either using Shure E5's or Futuresonics EM3's. But I am using them for In ear monitoring purposes so you dont have to spend that much.
As long as the earphone facilitates the foam tips then the noise reduction offered by the foam itself is very good.
I've got a pair of Sennhieser headphones and bought some comply foam tips for them, they don't quite block out as much wind noise as normal earplugs but are pretty close plus there great for listening to music with just got to be carefull when putting your helmet on as its easy to knock them out but once on there fine
danf1234
16-02-11, 05:55 PM
Well I have just taken the plunge and placed an order with Ultimate ears for a set of custom made jobbies. I am geting the moulds made locally which is 2 miles from my house in York. I will let you know what they are like when they arrive.
I have to wear ear defenders at work so I will give them a good coat of looking at while I am there!
Ultimate Ear or Ultimate Ears?
Well I have just taken the plunge and placed an order with Ultimate ears for a set of custom made jobbies. I am geting the moulds made locally which is 2 miles from my house in York. I will let you know what they are like when they arrive.
I have to wear ear defenders at work so I will give them a good coat of looking at while I am there!
Funny that! I actually rang these up today but their earliest appointment local to me was more than 2 weeks away and then it takes up to 28days to receive them.
I found this chap.. customearprotection.co.uk
He is cheaper £50 a set and he comes to your place of work or your home and only takes a week to get them done and sent out to you, he said. :-)
danf1234
17-02-11, 08:26 AM
Ulimtate Ear.
Apppointment in a week, 2 miles from my house, and delivered to me 10 days after that.
Admittedly they are more expensive than most, yes, but they are well know and pretty well tested so I don't mind.
beabert
17-02-11, 08:45 AM
I found this chap.. customearprotection.co.uk
He is cheaper £50 a set and he comes to your place of work or your home and only takes a week to get them done and sent out to you, he said. :-)
Thanks
Poor website, lacking on info though.
beabert
17-02-11, 11:08 AM
reply
Hi Daniel,
It is always difficult with web pages, yes you want to give out lots of info, but you don’t want to give the competition too many of your good ideas, especially if you are working on projects which they never thought of –as is the case with us.
But lets answer your most important questions:-
Your price starts from £50.00 for plugs which keep noise out (non vented plugs).
If say you need to listen to music in your helmet you are looking at vented plugs, priced at £70.00
Should you wish to have sound systems in your ears your price is £170.00
The business is based upon travelling to see clients, so let me know where you are so a visit can be arranged.
Best Wishes
Antone
See it's all good. :-) thing is I know the Internet is the now and future but not everyone likes it they still prefer good old phone call and sales in person.
But maybe I should go with the Ultimate Ear Plugs, I'm undecided...
beabert
17-02-11, 01:18 PM
Id rather go somewhere than someone come to me, ive enquired.
beabert
17-02-11, 01:19 PM
might try diy ones.
http://www.diyearplugsonline.com/
danf1234
17-02-11, 01:20 PM
I went for Ultimate's based on the fact that they get a really good report, and the cost is nothing compared to knackered hearing.
Id rather go somewhere than someone come to me, ive enquired.
Who you enquired with?
beabert
17-02-11, 01:27 PM
Who you enquired with?
Same place
response
Hi Daniel,
Your place of work is an option.
Best Wishes
Antone
In others words no lol. They must be worth like £5 if im paying for their time and petrol to come to me. Im going the diy route.
beabert
17-02-11, 01:31 PM
Infact sod it, my ones have much higher rating already, even though they are a pain to but in.
Well I've seen sence and changed my mind...
Cancel my appointment and arranged one with Ultimate. :-) like you say better to go with someone every rates highly. :-)
Plus the guy was a little rude when I cancelled my appointment.
Surely DIY ones can be good for your ears though.
beabert
17-02-11, 02:15 PM
Well I've seen sence and changed my mind...
Cancel my appointment and arranged one with Ultimate. :-) like you say better to go with someone every rates highly. :-)
Plus the guy was a little rude when I cancelled my appointment.
Surely DIY ones can be good for your ears though.
I've just gone for highest attenuation rating, and thats my disposable ones 35db, id like to try some custom moulded at 30db attenuation, but id cry if i wasn't happy at £50+
I've just gone for highest attenuation rating, and thats my disposable ones 35db, id like to try some custom moulded at 30db attenuation, but id cry if i wasn't happy at £50+
I think you'd be hard pushed to improve on the attenuation levels of the soft foam plugs. When insreted properly they really are good :)
I would be a little wary of the DIY ones. In essence they are just the silicone mold that the audiologist would use to make the "real" plugs.
I have got my silicone impressions at home that i had taken when I had my in ear monitors made. I have never tried them on the bike. I will compare them to the cheap foam ones I usually use.
They will also require some trimming/reshaping to get a flush fit around the outer ear as by the time you have injected the silicone it will be a bit of a mess around the outside of the ear. See here (http://www.alienears.com/instructions.htm) for instructions on how to take the impressions. Although £18 is fairly cheap, I would be very surprised if you get 30db attenuation from them.
danf1234
17-02-11, 04:37 PM
Well I've seen sence and changed my mind...
Cancel my appointment and arranged one with Ultimate. :-) like you say better to go with someone every rates highly. :-)
Plus the guy was a little rude when I cancelled my appointment.
Surely DIY ones can be good for your ears though.
Good choice. If they are good enough for all the people that recommend them on the website, then they can't be that bad can they?:)
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