OT - Hearing Protection - this is great

[Mark]

A little off the topic of R12R's but I ride one and now have much clearer hearing when at speed.

I have just completed a two day ride and tested these new ear plugs. The verdict - THEY ARE FANTASTIC.
http://www.alpine.nl/EN/consumer_motor.htm

Not only are they comfortable and very clever, but they work.
They are a simple but clever design based on a reasonably standard double baffle configuration but they also use an insert/filter that is attenuated to the range of noise associated with wind in the helmet. What this would appear to do is block out most of the wind noise without significantly reducing the other sounds associated with riding.

Using these I am now able to chat over Bluetooth communicator with my wife (bike to bike) at speeds of up to 120km / hour comfortably and still hear my engine and other road noises. Without them we would give up at anything over 90). When parked (helmet on) I can have a normal conversation with people around me also.
The product comes with two types of insert and the rider can swapped them over for a different attenuation level if you intend to do longer higher speed riding.

These are very, very clever and very very comfortable. They make using an intercom, mobile/cell phone or MP3 player possible at speed.

I am in Australia and they are in the Netherlands so I purchased them from New Zealand - closest reseller.
Don't you just love the internet and on-line sales. Not cheap - almost AU$100 for two sets delivered but worth every cent.

[deilenberger]

I went to their website, and asked about a US dealer. Got an almost immediate reply:

Thank you very much for your e-mail and request concerning our products. We do have a special distributor in the US, the best way is to get in contact with the company earplugstore.

Website: http://www.earplugstore.com
Link Alpine products: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/alhepr.html

Good luck, if you need any further information please feel free to contact us.

Best regards/Mit freundlichem Grüβ/Met vriendelijke groet/Meilleures Salutations,
Alexander Vendrig

Went there, found the following page:

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/mo ... gear1.html

That took me to:

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/almonasomoea.html

Where it sez: "MotoSafe works by reducing volume evenly across all audible frequencies." - which is not what is said on Alpine's website at: http://www.alpine.nl/EN/consumer_motor.htm, where it sez: "This is the reason Alpine hearing protectors have special filters, that filter only harmful wind noise."
Hmm... what'cha call a discrepancy here. I'll email the Yahoo store and see what's up..

Will let'cha know what I hear back... they "sound" interesting (pun intentional)..

[Mollygrubber]

They look interesting... I've been considering the custom inserts ($$$) but these look worth a try.
Thanks for your review!

Peter

[deilenberger]

Heard back from the EarPlug store:

Don,

Excellent question!

Acoustic science includes some difficult concepts to get across, and all of us in the business struggle in our efforts to describe the function of the filtered earplugs in a way that helps customers understand what to expect when they use these products. If you look at the chart on our Motosafe page: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/almonasomoea.html you will clearly see that these plugs attenuate at all the frequencies, not just those that are potentially harmful wind noise. You will see that the attenuation is generally greater at higher frequencies, which are indeed the most dangerous, and which are present in wind noise. You will also note that the attenuation levels are not the same across all frequencies as our description suggests.

A better description might be that motosafe plugs help to protect your hearing by providing greater levels of attenuation at higher frequencies, while still letting you hear much of the lower frequencies which includes traffic noises and warning sounds.

If you have used foam earplugs, attached is a comparison chart that shows the relative attenuation profiles of foam earplugs and motosafe, along with several others. This chart is helpful in showing the relative attenuations with different products, and as you can see, clearly the motosafe will let you hear a lot more of what is going on around you, making them a safe and effective alternative to ordinary ear plugs.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Tom

If I read him correctly - these attenuate more at higher frequencies, which is where wind noise becomes bothersome.. so the manufacturers statement is correct.

[fastdogs2]

I looked at these ear plugs on the website and I have a question about their design.

I noticed that they have a protrusion (the filter) that might come into contact with the helmet liner, when the plugs are inserted. I have tried earplugs with stems on the opposite side of the end that goes into the ear canal and have experienced pain from the compression of my helmet liner against these stems.

Anyone else had this happen? If so, how do you prevent this?

I have experienced no problems with the disposable foam earplugs because they don't protrude from the ear canal when inserted and they are soft enough that the helmet liner doesn't cause me any distress.

Bill

[Mark]

Fastdogs2 - regarding the question about the stem that extends from the ear plug - I had the same concern, but the good news is it is short enough not to catch on the liner as you pull your helmet on. This will differ slightly with helmet design, ears and how far you push them in but my wife and I had no problems.

In fact I had the opposite issue - I pushed one in too far and had to drag it out with tweezers.

Because they are so soft and flexible it feels like they are no there at all after 2 minutes or so.
They come with a clever little tube that fits over the central stem so that you can push them into your ear without crushing the outer form. DON'T PUSH TOO FAR THOUGH.

Like I say - these work perfectly for us.

[fastdogs2]

Mark,

Thanks for the reply! I have ordered a pair and will be anxious to try them. I always wear ear protection when I ride, usually the disposable foam plugs, but these look like they would be more substantial than the disposable ear plugs.

Bill

[Bheckel169]

Ordered today. They seem to be constructed in a similar design I have now, but I'm willing to try it out for the price. I'll report after some testing.
Bruce

[bhope]

Hey, Bruce.

Any follow up on the hearing protection? In theory, they sound like a very good idea, in practice I wonder if they deliver. Thanks for your thoughts.

Blair

Ordered today. They seem to be constructed in a similar design I have now, but I'm willing to try it out for the price. I'll report after some testing.
Bruce

[ka5ysy]

I tried a lot of different foam and other protective devices and settled on these custom fit earplugs:

http://www.earinc.com/p2-iplugz.php

They are simply great and interface with all the audio gear and Autocom into the helmet. They really work well for reducing helmet noise, do not get hung up on the helmet liner and have really great audio. I have been using them when I fly lately. The noise reduction is as good as the Bose Quiet Comfort headsets, and are much smaller and less obtrusive. The company is great to work with, and they support the BMWMOA through advertising.

[Bheckel169]

I've had these plugs for about 3 months now and find them very comfortable and do an admirable job of reducing the wind noise associated
with low windscreen and high road noise. Are they the best I've had. Maybe. I've had others that I thought were as good. I'm an experimenter and my feeling is that some of the more expensive ear molded sets are probably better but I haven't tried them yet. For now, these plugs work reasonably well.
Bruce

[jess]

Just ordered a set. I suffer from a permanent ringing in the ears, and wear foam plugs pretty much religiously while riding. It would be nice to find something that allowed me to use helmet speakers, if in fact they work for me.

I'll let y'all know.

[R12RnHouston]

I just received a pair after ordering them based on the good review here. I am very happy with my purchase so far!

[azimuth551]

I bought these last spring for my two week long North West trip and they really did work. Although, I have a problem with my right ear, that one never really sat right and still allowed the rumbling noise to come in and after hours of riding, I still got the ring in my ears and fatigue. So I switched between these and some blue foam ones I picked up at the pharmacy with 33NBR rating. These are the best for blocking the noise (all noise!) but they do not last all day long and become uncomfortable. The Motosafes can easily be worn all day with no discomfort. I have pushed one too far in the right ear and was very difficult to take out, but have had no clearance issues with the helmet. That being said, I think if you have "standard" ear canals, then your options are greater and these will certainly work fantastic for you. For me, I think I am looking into getting the expensive custom fit ear plugs or go deaf. If anyone can recommend a good custom fit ear plug that blocks out as much noise as possible that is what I am looking for.

Thanks,

Brent

[hjsbmw]

The Alpine plugs indeed look and sound interesting. The two things that concern me are their fit and losing them:

I tried a number of brands for iPod ear buds with a similar shape, and they were plain uncomfortable. Might be my ears, but before shelling out this money I'd like to try them.

I have lost too many foam ear plugs to believe I wouldn't lose more expensive ones too. I'd probably be more upset with the Alpine's considering the cost.

[rockbottom]

I found that the stem stuck out just far enough to push against the helmet lining and create pressure which became uncomfortable over time, so I no longer use mine.

[xprof]

Brent,

You might try going to a gun show. There are vendors there who will pour foam into your ear to make quite effective and comfortable ear plugs. I use mine for both shooting and motorcycling, and wear them all day quite happily. One tip: ask to have them made in 2 different colors, so you can instantly tell left from right. Shoot straight and ride safe!

[azimuth551]

Mike,

That is some good advice, I will see about the gun show, I know we have a couple of them each year up here. For shooting, I have the electronic ear head phones and they are awesome. I did some digging around and some of these ear doctors want $100 just for the injection mold. Then you have to purchase the actual plugs separately, so if I can go to a show that might be the best option. I can't wait until spring, oh well, in the meantime I will hit the slopes!
Brent

[angellr]

Brent,

You might try going to a gun show. There are vendors there who will pour foam into your ear to make quite effective and comfortable ear plugs. I use mine for both shooting and motorcycling, and wear them all day quite happily. One tip: ask to have them made in 2 different colors, so you can instantly tell left from right. Shoot straight and ride safe!

This is where I got both pairs that I have ... even had them fit them for my etymotic ears. Lost one side on the headphones ... not happy about it .. but they were REALLY good while I had them.