Topic: earmold

[CaféElite]

I wear ear buds when I ride but have yet to have much success in keeping them in my ear. I have tried all kinds of head phones as well. So I have decided to create a mold of my ear and customize it to my liking.

With this in mind can I get some advice on the best thing to use to create a ear mold?

BTW I have no interesting in switching helmets (unless your buying) or headphones.

Thanks!

[medic09]

No advice, but I have seen commercially available products to do this.

[my78k]

Well my daughter had custom ones made for her ears after getting tubes put in. It wasn't too bad in terms of price and was done at our local Shoppers Drug Mart with a kit that the pharmacist person does. It is basically a kit that you take the stuff and heat it up (not too hot though!) and you press it in and let it cool and it hardens back up. If memory serves it was like 20 bucks or something like that.

I would however recommend the ear phones that mount in the helmet it self....Chatterbox makes them (and loads of others as well)

Dennis

[DammitDan]

I use Etymogic ER-6i in-ear noise attenuating earbuds.  Never had a problem when them falling out...  In fact it takes a good lug to get them out once they're inserted.  And the best part is, I can ride my barely muffled XS650 all day long without wind noise fatigue (or exhaust noise fatigue  ) AND listen to a radio show podcast on longer trips and understand everything with crystal clarity.  Without blowing my eardrums (the volume on my ipod touch is about 1/3 for music, 1/2 for podcasts)

They about $80, might be worth the investment if you're thinking of getting in-ear molds done.

They look like this: 

[Steve F]

Just a thought, call me a wet blanket, but wearing two earphones, earbuds whatever is illegal in Illinois, a single-side headset is legal.

[kirkn]

Hmm...  trouble keeping 'em in?  Sorry to hear it.  I don't have any suggestions for what you're looking for.

But, at the powerplant I used to work at, hearing protection was mandatory and we used the simple foam plugs, with or without a connecting string between them.  None of us ever had troubles, and I wear 'em still every time I ride.  You can get similar foam plugs at Home Depot and Lowes.

Roll 'em between your thumb and finger till they look like a worm, and feed 'em in.  Then, they expand perfectly, and they had the best Noise-Reduction Rating (NRR) going.  Better than muffs, etc.

Kirk

[fuzzybutt]

 awwwwwwwwwwww man i though i was gonna get to read a thread about fungus 

[DammitDan]

Just a thought, call me a wet blanket, but wearing two earphones, earbuds whatever is illegal in Illinois, a single-side headset is legal.

Pfft! 

[hopterfixer]

I wear these under my full face helmet.  They hold on to my ear and my helmet slips on without catching on them. 

[ColinMc]

The problem with NON noise cancelling headphones in your helmet is that not only are your ears getting barraged with the windnoise, exhaust still, they are ALSO getting extra decibels of music on top of that! I have a pair of just regular earplugs that look like DammitDan's headphones, but they are just earplugs connected by a string, stay in really well. I got them at a local hardware store.

It is NOT illegal to wear ear protection on a motorcycle, but headphones are.

[azuredesign]

I think the material of choice is a silicon based or polyether material similar to what is used by dentists to take impressions in the mouth. A wick or string should be incorporated so that you have something positive to pull the material out with once it's set. I had a set of custom earplugs made in around 1990, and they still work grea. The attenuators are removable and replaceable with anywhere from -20--40 db attenuation. I believe I'm using -30 which works great. I can hear everything but it's not overly loud.

I'm not a fan of music in both ears, legal or not, but that's my personal choice. Season to taste as they say..

[Ecosse]

I don't wear ear plugs myself but a buddy does; they're the generic type described above with string connecting the two bits. He then uses I believe first aid tape to hold them to his ear.

[DarkRider]

I dont see the point in having earplugs in the ears either way..but then again i barely notice any noise in my helmet unless i have the visor open...But when its closed all i can really hear is my breathing and not much else...but that could be a trait of the model of helmet i have...

[Spikeybike]

Just a thought, call me a wet blanket, but wearing two earphones, earbuds whatever is illegal in Illinois, a single-side headset is legal.

really ......oops

[super pasty white guy]

Well, the legality of earplugs depends on the state.  They're ok in Virginia and DC, but illegal in maryland (unless you get custom molded plugs-  eeer, what's the difference).  Personally, I don't see the point in state mandated disability, so I wear earplugs for every ride.  But then, I've been told that my Arai helmet must be louder than others.

Maybe I'll spring for customs some day.

If you want to look up your state, check here:
http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws/result.asp?state=md

spwg

[Ecosse]

Thanks SPWG... very helpful link.

[DammitDan]

Wow...  I didn't realize that Tennessee has no requirements on earplugs/earbuds, helmet speakers, mufflers, maximum sound levels, turn signals or handlebar height.

Very interesting site!  I guess that means that The Bruiser really IS street legal!  I love living in a socially backwards state 

[martino1972]

very easy to solve,just use superglue....

[mark]

awwwwwwwwwwww man i though i was gonna get to read a thread about fungus 

+1 ..............

......... something waaaaaaay beyond the ol' yellow waxy buildup.


 

[Steve F]

Well, the legality of earplugs depends on the state.  They're ok in Virginia and DC, but illegal in maryland (unless you get custom molded plugs-  eeer, what's the difference).  Personally, I don't see the point in state mandated disability, so I wear earplugs for every ride.  But then, I've been told that my Arai helmet must be louder than others.

Maybe I'll spring for customs some day.

If you want to look up your state, check here:
http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws/result.asp?state=md

spwgGood link there.  I noticed that Illinois has no restrictions for "helmet speakers".  I'm going to assume that that's different than earphones, headphones or earbuds that are worn over or in the ear?  I know you're not allowed to wear headphones on both ears while driving a cage.

[Markcb750]

I too thought fungi would be involved...

I do not want music on my rides, have found the hours of just the noise of the bike to be relaxing. Ears are also an import part of defensive riding, but there are other threads to debate that issue.

I really like the driving feel of the Honda Gold Wing, I don't like all the plastic but the form of the bike is nice to look at.  But all that push button nonsense, speakers, Ipod connections, vents, AM FM, CB bla, bla, bla...is turning me off. Keeps me looking at a BMW 800.  A cherry Honda CB 900 or 1000 custom would be nice.

[fuzzybutt]

i wear the same earplugs i use when i go shooting. i wear a "pudding bowl" helmet and the wind over 50 or so kills me ears without some sort of ear protection. they allow me to hear road sounds and the engine sounds still but block the worse of the wind scream

[heffay]

I dont see the point in having earplugs in the ears either way..but then again i barely notice any noise in my helmet unless i have the visor open...But when its closed all i can really hear is my breathing and not much else...but that could be a trait of the model of helmet i have...

well, give it up.

[kach_me]

I don't wear ear plugs myself but a buddy does; they're the generic type described above with string connecting the two bits. He then uses I believe first aid tape to hold them to his ear.

I bet that's quite a sight...

[heffay]

I don't wear ear plugs myself but a buddy does; they're the generic type described above with string connecting the two bits. He then uses I believe first aid tape to hold them to his ear.

I bet that's quite a sight...

i laughed at that thought too