Custom Earplugs / Headphones.
 

No idea if any of you have already got these, but I was looking for a way of listening to music on the bike while not damaging my hearing (long motorway stints). These are plenty of companies that produce custom fitted headphones, but they are expensive and involve a trip to an audiologist.

I always assume I can do it cheaper. So I did.

First up is to buy a DIY silicone ear plug kit:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-mou...ht_1470wt_1396
Good for 2 pairs.

Then you need a set of the newer style in ear headphones - the ones that come with several rubber tips and fit inside the ear canal.

Follow the instructions supplied with the earplugs, and insert the headphones into the plug before it sets. Make sure its in far enough to not foul on your helmet while putting it on. Wait 10 mins, remove.

Remove the headphone and clean any extra material out of the tube. Drill from where the end of the headphone tube went into the plug to the end of the section of the plug went into your ear canal.

Rinse and repeat.

In order to satisfy the bluetooth requirement, I bought one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Ericsso...7164108&sr=8-1

The headphones supplied with it are suitable.

Now I can listen to music (track skip and volume works with iPhones), get sat nav instructions etc from my phone on the bars. Plugs are comfy so far and decent at "motorway Speeds". Not tried taking a call on the device yet, the bluetooth unit doe shave a mike so it should be possible. More use for quick calls while stopped probably, not sure i want to be on the phone while riding a bike.

I'll get some photos of the finished product up tonight.

http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/...on/Photo16.jpg

http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/...on/Photo17.jpg

There is a video here of someone doing the same thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmk-y_9exJ8

Re: Custom Earplugs / Headphones
 

Fantastic post , cheers Mark!
Will give it a go at some point
My ears were in agony after a recent ride back from France, shoulder checks were blindingly painful

Re: Custom Earplugs / Headphones
 

great stuff..always up for a bit of diy. I wonder how they stack up when you are pulliing the helmet on and off.
Any low profile ear buds out there? Look forward to the pics and review.

Re: Custom Earplugs / Headphones
 

I got the left earphone one pushed in further, works well. The right catches a bit and I sometimes need to give it a tap once my lid is on for it to sit perfect.

Pics are up, should be able to see what I'm talking about.... Still got half the stuff left, will make a set of plain plugs as well I think.

Re: Custom Earplugs / Headphones.
 

I've heard good things about these ...
http://www.earfuze.com/store.html

Quite cheap, not much more than your DIY jobbie.

Re: Custom Earplugs / Headphones.
 

Cool, both ideas look good & I've been thinking about getting some custom ones made, I will try the DIY way first, as you could make loads before even getting near the price of custom made ones

Re: Custom Earplugs / Headphones.
 

I was talking to a guy last weekend when I was on my trumpet weekend up north, he's got a viper Bluetooth flip front lid, I'm thinking of one for touring.

He let me listen to it, it can answer calls, synch with the satnav, if your pillion has one you can use it as comms, all for £150.

Re: Custom Earplugs / Headphones.
 

Just ordered a set, might as well give it a go for that price

Re: Custom Earplugs / Headphones.
 

Great post Mark, definitely worth a shot :D

Haha Marshmallow poops 8)

Re: Custom Earplugs / Headphones.
 

I just ordered 2 x sets for £12 (made them an offer).

Cheers for the heads up!