Ear plugs

..............

[Mark_h]

I use some from here.... http://www.ultimateear.com/

They come and fill your ears with foam (really strange sensation) take a moulding then a few days after custom fitted plugs arrive in the post. Mine fit really well and are very comfortable.

They can fit speakers in them too if you want an auto-com, mp3 player or anything similar. I find that normal helmet speakers still work fine with the plugs in and because they fit flush they do not get pushed in like the horrible foam ones do.

They're not cheap but then again I value my hearing and found that I kept not bothering with foam ones because they were either uncomfortable or kept falling out. Also if you spend a lot of money on them you are more likely to use them.

I have two pairs. One total block (Can still use bike-to-bike radio) and the second set have bypass filters so it's easier to have conversations with your helmet on. With the total blocks it's pretty much impossible to have a conversation with your lid on but much better for long journeys. It's amazing how it helps your concentration.

Phone them up and they'll tell you when they are in your area for a fitting or if not can recommend a local agent who'll do the squishy ear filling thing.

There are other suppliers too but these are the only ones I have used and I have several friends who have also had good service. However STU from this forum found his kept falling out so not a 100% success record.

[Mark_h]

They should last a few years. I've had mine 12 months and they are good as new. Biggest problem is your ears change shape and size throughout your life so sooner or later they will get loose. I keep mine in their packet between usages and keep them clean so I don't see me killing them too early.

[Messie]

This is a question I wanted to ask as well.

I always wear earplugs cos I value my hearing. However, I've just got over an ear infection in one ear and compacted wax (sorry) in the other and the nurse said this was common in people who wear the one size fits all squidgy ear plugs. She highly recommended custom made ones.

I shall look into this further

I'd also recommend the Ultimate Ear ones - I bought two sets as they were on a deal, and after nearly 18 months of being used roughly 3 times a week, I'm still using the first pair with the second un-used.

Originally Posted by Messie

I always wear earplugs cos I value my hearing. However, I've just got over an ear infection in one ear and compacted wax (sorry) in the other and the nurse said this was common in people who wear the one size fits all squidgy ear plugs. She highly recommended custom made ones.

I'd never use the foam/squidgy ones again now I've got custom.
With the custom, I got the gel type one with is apparently more comfortable, and you can wash them after every use if you wish with no problems at all.
Haven't mad an ear infection from mine yet

I still use the foam ones, new for every ride as I get them from work for free! As someone else mentioned, my concentration is so much better with earplugs in.

I've got Ultimateear, the soft type on a connecting cord, had them 3 years and used daily for two for them. Always comfortable. A little icky but I have to visit the Docs about every 6 months to get de-waxed but not had an infection, prevention is down to keeping them clean.

I'm looking at getting some custom ones made. Does anyone know someone who has the R and G mould your own ones?

I have ultimate ear ones too and not impressed on first use, they slowly work there way through and yes they are being put in correctly, the squidgy ones on comparison were much better. But full credit it to them I am sending them back and they are going to alter them so there may of been a defect when they first made them.

So thumbs up on customer service and ill report back when I get them through again.

How do you mean woring their way through? How much are those ones?