ear plugs, are proper ones worth it?

Ah, there we go, the for and against got a lot more balanced (and a lot less useful in my ultimate decision doh!)

Maybe I'll just stick with what I've got then, considering I got a box of 200 pairs for £11 sometime last year and still have 2/3rds left it may be the way to go.

Another reason not to spend money is always good though

Originally Posted by Stu

You got tinnitus from only wearing disposable foam eaarplugs instead of customs?

No? I didn't say that.

But custom moulded ones are far superior to all the foam ones I've tried. The best foam ones I've tried are Earsoft FX and they offer the most attenuation out of all the disposeables.

But spending £50-70 on a custom set to save your ears from irreversible hearing damage is a no-brainer for me.

Ahh i just went to get the card and leaflet for the people i spoke to.
Clicky
just for ears, and they said £60, cant see much difference in how they are made and seem good enough with all the hearing aid stuff aswell, that being quite a high market and all.
investigation is the way forward i think.

Edit:
just realised they say surrey and sussex. So dont know if its useful to those further afield.

I use the earsoft FX too as they are the best disposibles about. they are great WHEN fitted properly and new. I tend to use them for longer than I should maybe, but particularly on longer stints (i days on end) I tend to forget to pack enough to use new every time. My lidi (Arai RX7) is really noisy on the motorway and I can't ride without some sort of ear protection. i've been looking at a set of moulded monitors to use with my Autocom but at £200 a go they best be bloody good! almost as cheap to buy another quieter lid!

I used the pink and yellow disposable foam ones (Laserleights?). I get them free as we use them at work. They are comfortable and reduce noise well. Custom made plugs are probably better at reducing noise, but are considerably less hygienic. Sweat, wax, dead skin cells and dirt can lead to bacteria multiplying on an earplug and causing ear infections. Personally, I change my earplugs frequently. When I had to wear them at work I had a new pair at least once a day.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by madness

Sweat, wax, dead skin cells and dirt can lead to bacteria multiplying on an earplug and causing ear infections.

Yes, that's a noodle scratcher...

Of course you could always... I dunno... wash them?

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Brettus

I assume given the wording

Yes, But I don't believe it, hence inviting him to confirm.

That he's merely suggesting they are best.

lots more debate on this topic than I expected, by no means a clear line but you are looking pretty lonely on your side of it Stu. The majority seem to be for them* but I'm still undecided because of your experience Stu.

* = Other than those, like myself who use foam only and are happy with them.

I'm just wondering if they are a better option, guess I need to compare db blocking levels really for a scientific rating, if not particularly realistic.

I think I'm in the silent majority

I think people don't like to admit that after spending £59, £80, or whatever that something for £1* (although disposable) does as good or even a better job.

I am now perfectly happy with the fit of my customs & have no issues at all to complain about. I just don't hear them as any better or worse than disposables and just see it as a different way to pay. £1 a week* or £60 up front


*(or whatever you can find them for.)

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by Stu

I think people don't like to admit that after spending £59, £80, or whatever that something for £1* (although disposable) does as good or even a better job.

Except they don't...

Not for me and plenty of others anyway, if you're custom moulded plugs aren't a big improvement over foam ones there's something wrong with the way they were manufactured, something wrong with the way you're using them or some other problem, simple as

[Stu]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

Except they don't...

Not for me and plenty of others anyway, if you're custom moulded plugs aren't a big improvement over foam ones there's something wrong with the way they were manufactured, something wrong with the way you're using them or some other problem, simple as

Maybe, I was just happy with the foams?

I'll test again with disposables

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

Of course you could always... I dunno... wash them?

I'd sooner have disposables and throw them away when I've worn them a couple of times. I'd be interested to find out the last time people with custom made plugs actually washed them.

What about you Lone Wolf, how often do you wash yours?