Motorcycle Hearing Protection - Why you should use it, and what to choose?

[@teneretraveller8980]

I buy them by the 1000 from hardware stores or online. Never used to bother decades ago but nobody did. Can't ride without them now. Ride safe 👍

[@bobz1736]

I use good old 3M foam plugs which for me give the right level of sound suppression but still allow me to hear enough of what's going on around me.

[@stephenwilkins376]

I have the ultimate earplugs and love them. Like you never got out on the bike without them

[@KiwiMoto72]

Mate from one KZbinr to another, thank you! Great video. I've been wearing custom molds for years, but didn't in my early days, and paid the price in terms of my hearing. This is a great message to share.

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, great channel by the way you’ve just got a new sub👍

[@KiwiMoto72]

@@mancavemotoseeet / thx! If you are ever in Seattle, look me up!

[@gttpete]

I bought the sound ear pro's last year because of your previous review, used in conjunction with a Cardo edge, the noise reduction and sound quality is truly impressive, they're so comfortable you can barely tell they're in your ears, I'd recommend them in a heartbeat.

[@bobbyb82]

Thank you you just saved me £50.00 I have ordered a set of sound ear pro,s thanks again…

[@alanbarnes2920]

Switched to custom fit 3 years ago..Custom Fit Guard's - Moto model..work brilliantly…as Tony says, they reduce not block..totally safe and comfortable under a helmet.

[@thelocodude01]

I used to work in a Steelworks electric melting shop where 8 seconds without hearing protection would damage your hearing for life. I always wear ear plugs, the best one's for me that I've found are the Alpine Motosafe Race.

[@brianperry]

@@thelocodude01 Me to, I’ve used Motosafe for a few years. Both the red and black filters….the red are especially good when on and unfaired bike and/or a after market exhaust….l use ear protection every time l ride…

[@MotoTourIreland]

@@thelocodude01 Same

[@kejefelcz]

Same here :)

[@TriumphRascal]

I bought my Ultimate set at the Motorcycle Live at Excel using your discount code following your last video on the subject. I’m now wearing them all the time. I only wish I had been for many years before as o now have tinnitus which drives me nuts!! A good video and I hope that others try the Ultimate hearing protection before they do irreparable damage.

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers

[@IanTed]

Big Ultimate fan here, I have the wired version for superb sound and a plain pair, tried the others but I find Ultimate the best and I certainly would never ride without hearing protection.

[@rodbowes5309]

A useful overview of hearing protection. I have tried all of the different technologies and agree that the expanding foam ones have a tendency to push themselves out of the ear canal. The custom fit ones I found difficult to insert properly and rather uncomfortable, which was quite a surprise! I prefer the generic silicone plugs as I find them more comfortable, subjectively they are just as effective as the custom fit and they cost a third of the price of a set of Squidgies. I have no irritation issues with them. Earpeace are my favoured brand.

[@taylortaylor1029]

Earpeace allllll the way. Great protection while still being able to actually hear things. Unlike foam ear plugs which I used for a while before discovering Earpeace.

[@MotoTourIreland]

I use Alpine moto safe earplugs. Having said that I must shop around for a better fit.

[@scootjockey]

Be carefull with those i pushed too far and had to have them removed by the ear doctor.

[@bobholley6202]

I have been using the Earpiece Moto-pro for the past 2 years. Can hear my Cardo and what’s going on around me without listening to the wind and the constant drone of my Trailmax Raids. Lost a lot of hearing in the Army so I need what’s left. Love the Moto-pro.

[@jasondunn8313]

I never bothered with plugs for riding around town but i wear them pretty much always now. Foam style plugs don’t fit my ears well and I bought the silicone, cone style ones that work well but i ended up losing them as they aren’t connected. I ended up buying safety plugs from a local hardware store that are designed for use with mowers, chainsaws, etc and they work really well. They are connected via a nylon cord and are much quieter and cheaper than bike specific ones. Great video👍

[@humanentity2214]

I use the 3m foam ones after trying several others. They work best for my ears. Safe riding

[@Dan-56]

Great advice 👍! I started using the foam plugs 25 years ago to protect the hearing I had left, due to damage from “repetitive loud noise” (🔫😉). Like you the left one kept falling out 🤨, so I ended up using the earphone from the radar detector situated in the top of my tank bag in my left ear instead of the foam plug🤪. Many years have passed, I’ve slowed down 😆, and I’m now using the molded plugs. They stay in place, make for more relaxing longer rides, and don’t feel like someone has their fingers stuck in my ears 👍.

[@StefanBacum]

Bought and tested the Alpine Motosafe Race and they perform nicely. Havent tried anything else yet but these seem to be what i was looking for.

[@davidbarton7463]

Thanks good advice to wear something, next week I take delivery of some custom made ear protectors as well as a new helmet with bluetooth, not sure how the two will work together but should cut out the wind noise etc.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I use ones from 'Custom Fit Guards'. They are not cheap but they are excellent.

[@ianlogan9415]

I have 2 sets of Ultimatear plugs, Squidgy's and bluetooth speakers. I find both sets block too much noise so find conversions difficult and virtually impossible to hear gps instructions (using a Packtalk Edge unit). Also the bluetooth ones only last for about 3 hours before the battery dies and being harder are uncomfortable over a long day in the saddle. Now use Earasers and Earpeace plugs which work really well.

[@TheScortUK]

3M 'classic' ones are the best disposables imo - always a perfect fit, and take all the dangerous noise levels out of your ride. Got tinnitus from riding sans plugs back in 2007, and my ears have had a ringing noise ever since

[@davewash50]

Great, sound advice Tony. I also use custom plugs now, and they are superb. Crazy to not wear plugs at all. Thank you 👍

[@Screamifyoumeanit]

Your comments on foam and silicon ear plugs resonate with me exactly... I kinda don't mind the foam ones but I can't hear the sat nav, I used to use them decades ago (before satnavs)... I think I need to look into getting some custom fit ones now.

[@robinwhite716]

Never thought about this, shame on me thanks Tony another brilliant video.

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers Robin

[@alainmichaud6747]

I use vitae soul , comfortable ... in most of my helmets . My muffler is a bit loud and with the wind can make it pretty loud . Great topic. so many people do not even think of their ears. Alain & Yellow

[@Ole.Schultz]

Definitely custom molded earplugs, i have been using them for +10 years. I have tinitus and a hearing loss for the years of bike driving before i was using plugs.

[@allanmason7544]

good advice tony great vid again

[@ride-to-the-X]

Good overview of hearing protection! Are the molded ones easy to insert? Currently use disposable 3m, which works, but always a hassle to insert properly (specially left ear)

[@markmundy3435]

I've been using molded ear plugs now for well over 25 years, I'm very lucky in that I get mine via work, and I can't recommend them highly enough. Sure they feel a little odd to begin with as it feels like you have lost one of your senses but thats not the case at all, you can still hear everything you need to to be safe on the road. One thing you notice early on is just how fresh you feel after a long ride as that constant noise can fatigue you. I almost always have music playing in my lid when out on the bike and use the "filtered" type plugs and can still hear it perfectly aswell as the coms. Riding without them now feels something like not having gloves on, very odd and I don't like it.

[@hotdoug1000]

Going round to my opticians next week after watching your 'new' video to get an audiologist impression. I already use cheap sleeping plugs that do get a little awkward after 2-3hrs. I watched your original video early this year and put something in the basket but never got round to purchasing it. Maybe this time🤞 Had tinnitus for 20 years? Have hearing losses of different frequencies in opposite ears. Horrid thing to have when you get it. Now motorcycling and don't want to add to my issues.

[@mad082sss]

I was excited when you said you had small ear canals at the start of the video as i too have small ear canals, so was hoping for some good information and a bit more of a review and test of options, but it really just seems like an ad for your custom plugs. I've been using mouldable silicone plugs (that you mould every time you put them in) but wanted an easier option. I tried foam plugs and wasn't having much luck getting them in. Then i watched a few videos on how to install them (and how far in they should go). If they fall out easily then they aren't in anywhere close to far enough - they should go in about as far as your custom ones do, so you should only be able to see a small amount of the plug. I bought some kids sized ones and they go in far enough and don't fall out at all. But i find the pressure from them uncomfortable after a little while and they are still fiddly to get in. So I'll just keep trying different options until i find some that work as i can't afford custom ones at the moment

[@mancavemoto]

I thought there was plenty of information, but you can always check out my other videos that go into the fitting in more detail. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYGooWZsoLOsnJIsi=6_UaP2A3mpspT48k

[@mad082sss]

@mancavemoto sorry, i think you misunderstood. I would've liked to have heard less about the custom ear plugs and more thorough testing of a wider range of alternatives

[@mancavemoto]

@mad082sss OK, well apart from foam and silicone plugs there’s not much more in the way of alternatives. They all share similar features and it would be difficult (and boring to watch) go through a large number of different brands. I tried a few and discovered that the custom moulded route was the best one. Because the part that fits in your ear is moulded it doesn’t have the put the canal under pressure like the foam or generic silicone offerings, a good thing if you have narrow ones

[@Trevster65]

I have alpine motosafe, great but sometimes have to re insert after 2-3 hours, not sure why.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

Hi Tony, as an Australian subscriber to your channel I did reach out to them a couple of years ago. They were fantastic in offering assistance and even provided places in Melbourne for me to get a fitting. I didn’t at the time follow it all up. I will be doing so this time as I also have the same problem of having very small holes where the foam ones simply don’t fit and end up coming out. I’ve also tried a variety of the second option you mentioned yet still haven’t found any with a perfect fit. I love my music quality, so my main question is how do they compare to the 45 mm JBL drivers that I have with my Cardo bold? Better, or on par? If it’s a significant improvement then I’m sold as like I mentioned earlier their customer service/support was top notch. Cheers, Marcus.

[@Bornie205]

I bought Ultimate Ear BT - find them comfy and reasonably easy to setup, although can’t connect to TomTom and IPhone (music/Calls) at the same time. After 13 months the right earplug failed, requiring a very expensive (£85) and a 3 week fix which is only guaranteed for 6 months. So mixed feelings

[@MGman100]

I use Eggz earplugs but may have to try custom fit.

[@twowheeledadventuresuk2739]

I must admit I don't wear anything, but that's because it reduces the music volume of my Sena and when using the intercom. Interestingly when wearing my MX lids I use my Beats earphones and I was wondering if the noise cancelling on them helped in anyway, they certainly seem to be working like an earplug, and the obvious bonus is I get awesome music quality and sound, way better than what I get with my Sena. Must try plugs again, thanks for the prod, makes sense. Regards, Mike

[@theheroblob5036]

I bought some custom moulded earplugs a few years ago, but found they didn't offer the level of noise reduction I expected. I now use Earpeace plugs that work much better for me. Only downside is they aren't as comfy as the moulded ones. Would never ride without earplugs!

[@davidodonnell5376]

Custom fit are well worth the money.Have 2 pairs,one for bike other pair for shooting.

[@SileX406coup]

Alpine Motosafe for 7 years. Love them and cost just around 25€

[@FIREFIREBLADE]

Just ordered some UE pros off the back of your video. Subbed 🤙🏼

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers, you’ll love them!

[@Honda_Hooligan]

By far the best earplugs I've ever used are the cheap, disposable 3M E.A.R plugs available at the chemists. Far better than the overpriced custom ear plugs, which I tried and soon binned.

[@mancavemoto]

Cool if foam plugs work for you thats great. I'm interested in why you find them 'far better'?

[@Honda_Hooligan]

​@@mancavemoto I find the foam plugs have far better noise attenuation. My employer paid for top-of-the-range custom plugs as I work in an extremely noisy environment (Stansted Airport) and I still found the foam plugs to be better at reducing noise. The same goes for when I'm on my bike.

[@nulla9601]

For the ultimate ear ones (with the speakers), how would you say the audio quality is compared to regular earbuds? Are they decent like budget earbuds, midrange (~$100) or more high end (~$200+). Obviously price isn't an indicator of sound quality but it gives an idea in which playing field it is.

[@mancavemoto]

They are good quality, the clarity is nice but obviously not the 'bassiest' of speakers given there size. But overall a good listening experience

[@andrewhey84]

Alpine motosafe I use. Don't even know they are in

[@zombiejase]

Don't they come out your ear when you put the helmet on? Or work their way out on a ride ? Also if you have to plug them in how do you plug them in the jack before you put your helmet on? And lastly where are they located as dont you have to go for a fitment to order them?? Cheerz Tony Jase

[@mancavemoto]

No, they fit flush in your ear, so pulling a helmet on or off doesn’t pull them out. Again the same with them not working their way out. There’s a long enough cables on them so that you can plug them in and put your helmet on, obviously you need to keep it close to you head unless you use the cable extension. Ultimate are based in Kent, but they have audiologists around the uk that can take the impresssions

[@DavidPereira-k1n]

I use Ultimate earplugs but I think the filters have come out? can you buy them seperatly?

[@mancavemoto]

Thats definitely something to speak to the guys about, I'm not sure how a filter could come out? Also depending on the db rating, they may only have a channel that does the job of the filter. So if theres no black piece, I don't think necessarily means something missing?

[@danthechippie4439]

Is a better fitted helmet not the solution? I mean if the wind can't get in then there shouldn't be an issue?

[@mancavemoto]

It’s a case of the wind on the outside of the helmet…

[@pw601]

Not wearing earplugs on a bike. Have you seen the cost of hearing aids?

[@scootjockey]

Dude you have lost some weight, i rode HD for a long time and had some action in the Army so still get tinittus now .At the moment i use Banannaz german firm i think come with a metal cylinder retaining thing .

[@Seqhael]

Can you side sleep in these?

[@mancavemoto]

You can, and I have, but they make sleep specific plugs with a more comfortable cut out Concha section

[@speedyspeedyi]

In work in a loud factory, turning my headphones up full to listen to this

[@mancavemoto]

It’s got subtitles

[@fuglbird]

Check the specifications carefully before you buy expensive hearing protection. Many industrial grade disposable ear plugs offer very good hearing protection - much higher than the expensive and popular filtering ear plugs. Disposable ear plugs are not just "better than nothing". Often they are the best solution.

[@mancavemoto]

True, but you can over protect as mentioned in the video. Some plugs designed for heavy industrial use have too high a SNR to make them useable on a motorcycle.

[@750vfrman]

Well, well. This is a subject I can speak with some, personal authority. Before I am set on fire, my experience only. Old boy, passed my UK two wheeled test back in the early sixties. Then wore no hearing protection. Later working in the oil exploration industry, noisy environment, only occasional ear protection. Now for some time suffer with tinnitus! Other hobby, shooting, now mainly clays. 12 gauge shotgun, about 154db/2msec. Still ride my Honda using my lovely Arai Quantic full face helmet. Over the years have had many different silicone in ear plugs, all with filters. Recently new pair, for shooting, excellent. Under my helmet, completely useless, as all previous. Reason. When my ear is injected to form the plug, I am not wearing a helmet! My outer ear, the flappy bit is in its natural slightly flared position. Squash a helmet on & once the ear is smoothed flat, the ear canal is slightly opened, allowing sever wind noise at speed. Answer, I use the one & only Howard Leight orange foam plugs. SNR 37. You have to go through a procedure to fit. I wet my ear canal & plug, roll to a small size, lift top of outer ear (straighten canal) insert, hold in place until expands. Once fully inserted, you will not see I have inserted plugs! Riding now with no wind noise whatsoever. Can I have a conversation, no, do I hear traffic, sort off, but dull. Do I care, no. Emergency vehicles, I can see the lights/police/ambulance. Lastly, my ace card. MotoGP, check what a lot of riders (Rossi, now retired) they can have the very best of protection, so what do they use. Orange foam plugs. Ever stood next to these bikes, the engine noise alone would make your ears bleed and what it must be like at over 200mph I cannot imagine. So go ahead, make my day!

[@mancavemoto]

Fair enough. One question I do have is how you wet your ear and plug? Hopefully not by using saliva? Also as i detailed in the video you can over protect, bringing the dB level too low can cause issues, but that is of course up to the individual. Thats also why a lot of MotoGP (not all) riders use foam plugs at a much higher SNR than you would need for the road. They don't need to hear much ambient noise, all they need is to be able to hear a bike thats close to them (and as you say its a loud bike). Plus they'll only be wearing the plugs for 40-45 minutes at at time tops. So as per the video, its not just about blocking out as much noise as you can, its about finding the right level for the desired activity. Coupled with comfort and to some extent longevity. But whatever works for you is best...for you.

[@750vfrman]

@@mancavemoto Valid points, however, I hear enough ambient sound for my needs, like I said, I prefer to use my eyes rather than ears. And yes,. I know not the best practice to introduce bacteria laden saliva to ear, but as I am a fit & healthy 81, with no untoward infection (I hope) that is what I do. As to length of ride, I like to take a break after about 2 hours, at which I remove plugs. One thing I did not mention. I am considering asking Custom Fit Plugs, to get silicone sample whilst I hold my outer ear flat to my head. They of course tell me they sell hundreds of plugs for motorcyclist, all happy customers. I think we are all disillusional!

[@ianbriden7907]

Why can't UE produce a wire free bespoke in ear phones similar as an example to those you buy for the gym? I Discovered by accident my soundcore in ears reduce the background noise and I can listen to the radio too.Just need my Chigee for BMW's and I'm sorted,would just prefer that made for me fit

[@mancavemoto]

They offer Bluetooth Soundears, but I guess the problem is fitting all of the necessary hardware (particularly battery) in the earplug itself and keeping sitting flush in the ear

[@ianbriden7907]

@mancavemoto yes your probably right..and thanks, your videos are always really informative

[@ChunkehMunkeh]

Pardon... 😂 I use loop quiet. No issues yet.

[@grimnismal8377]

I use Experience pro without mute everyday :)

[@franckbald3750]

I use Loop Experience 2 Plus: perfect for wind/engine noise and still able to listen to cars or music.

[@brianperry]

Hearing loss is such a slow process, normally, it’s something you don’t really notice until it’s to late. l was unfortunate to get tinnitus about twenty five years ago….caused by a gunshot, the tinnitus increasing if l enter a loud environment, loud Pubs/Clubs or loud music is a No,No!….the ringing is terrible and very distracting….l would always recommend wearing earplugs when riding a motorcycle even if you are wearing a ‘quiet’ helmet…

[@antonypickles442]

I paid a small fortune for some custom moulded headphones, and they're the most uncomfortable thing I've ever worn to the point of wanted to cut my ear off after wearing them for 30 minutes

[@mancavemoto]

Obvously not, a good fitting service!

[@cpuuk]

No I don't. I've never had a problem, no ringing, no tinnitus, nada... but like everyone else I bought those custom fit ones and I wore them for exactly 1x day up the motorway for 250 miles. And for the first (and only) time in my life I heard ringing when I took them out. I tossed them in the box and haven't touched them since. 60K miles since that experience I still don't have a hearing problem, but then I always buy quiet helmets and sit behind a touring screen.

[@davidmatthews3093]

You sound just like me a couple of weeks ago. I had never had any hearing loss because of motorcycling. Then I rode 150 miles on my motorcycle and when I stopped I couldn’t hear through my right ear. I’ve been wearing simple ear plugs and my hearing has picked up a bit. Please don’t be arrogant and think that it can’t happen to you. Such a basic bit of safety equipment can protect a person’s quality of life and should not be sneered at.

[@MickH60]

You are so typical of most people that lose hearing, It happens all of a sudden, ignore it at your peril... I've had extremely loud tinnitus for 30 years now, I'm lucky as I can ignore it, people have offed themselves over tinnitus, and it drives others mad....

[@Bepissmall]

Have you had hearing tests done? Most riders I know who refuse to wear hearing protection don't have tinnitus and claim they hear just fine, you have to yell at them for them to hear you. Not all hearing loss is accompanied by tinnitus, but it is a problem

[@bills5423]

The absolute best, and you can try and return for free, is to buy apple pro 2 earbuds, reverse the ears and turn them upside down Run the earfit test before putting on helmet Then hold in with index fingers as putting on helmet as long as you can Now run earfit test again If it says “good fit” you will be amazed at how quite it is I have a bmw 1300 and it blocks out almost everything If you lime music, you do NOT have to increase the volume on e riding Again, you can order, try them, and return if you find it’s not for you I’m retired, no affiliation Why upside down”? Because i found the earbuds fell to ground when removing helmet when out in normally, and seemed easier to dislodge when riding

[@bills5423]

Forgot to add obvious comment..turn on noise cancelling 😉

[@Kirkster131]

I liked the idea and tried them with my Pros. Unfortunately my helmets are all race fit they get painfully displaced/ripped out on donning and removing the helmet. 😢

[@mancavemoto]

Just a note, 'Noise cancelling' on headphones is good for low frequencies, but has little effect on higher ones.

[@bills5423]

@@mancavemoto I don't believe you've tried the airpod pro2s if you make that statement. Just try them. If you find they don't, simply return

[@mancavemoto]

I have a pair of Airpod Pros, they sit proud of the concha part of my ear and are obviously hard plastic. But the point I was making is that they may not be suitable given the nature of the noise cancelling. I'm glad you're happy with them though, as I said whatever works for you...

[@brucekendall52]

Critical equipment.(Get custom).

[@theadventuresofbellatheenf4627]

I never use them on a bike I like to hear the other cars about on the road and hearing the bike revs a good fitting crash helmet normal is good for me

[@odinrandall]

@@theadventuresofbellatheenf4627 That’s your choice, your bike may not be loud, my Harley is extremely load especially at full noise. So for me the best protection for my ears is important, I can still hear music from my sena and I definitely can still hear my engine.

[@MickH60]

You obviously didn't watch the whole video. You can hear virtually everything, they only cut the level and the damaging lower frequencies.... The first time i road with ear plugs, within an hour I had forgotten i even had them in, they work brilliantly . My only concern was as you stated, not being able to hear anything, well that's simply NOT the case....

[@MGman100]

Each to their own. You can hear everything you need to. Even a good fitting crash helmet won't stop noise damage to your ears.

[@theadventuresofbellatheenf4627]

@MGman100 after 36 years with out ear plugs I still can hear and no tinnitus problems

[@MGman100]

@@theadventuresofbellatheenf4627 Eh? 😉

[@frogclip1]

I passed my test and for the first 2 months would ride with nothing in. Then I tried the twisty foam ear plugs but they kept falling out. I went to Motorcycle Live and picked up a set of Ultimate Ear. I have used different plugs from them for the last 14 years of riding. Hands down the best purchase for using on the bike I have ever made. Typically go for their filtered squidgy plugs and does enough to block loud sounds but can still hear my intercom / music etc. As it happens, my ear canals are a funny shape which I was told is why the twisty plugs kept falling out when I used them.

[@G-Man01]

Wow, nobody spoke or cared about this for years then suddenly it's a thing for motorbike riders?

[@mancavemoto]

I think its always been a thing, its just getting more attention now.

[@user-fv1576]

Comes across as an advert - sorry

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

@@mancavemoto Didn't strike me as an advert.

[@MickH60]

Stupid comment mate.....