Ear Plugs - Hearing Protection 

Everything you need to know about ear plugs, earplugs, hearing protection, wearing earplugs, sources for earplugs, or earplugs and motorcycling!

Riding a motorcycle creates a lot of noise, even when wearing a full-face helmet.  Depending upon circumstances and the helmet's design, wearing a helmet may actually increase the noise level!  I have lost hearing in my left ear and I have a very annoying and constant ringing in that ear and some ringing in the right ear. 

Granted, it's not all due to riding a motorcycle -- some of it is due to working as a machinist in a very loud shop and some of it is due to a misspent youth in the '60's and early '70's...but let's not go there!  

The fact is that earplugs, when worn properly, can greatly reduce the noise level of riding.  They can help save your hearing and also reduce some of the stresses of long-distance riding.  Remember, once your hearing is lost, it is lost forever. 

Wearing earplugs whilst riding motorcycles can make your ride much more enjoyable; if you've never worn them, you won't believe how much less stressful it is to ride without wind noise drumming in your brain!  And earplugs can make a noisy helmet much quieter.

Helmet Noise:  See the wBW Motorcycle Helmet Noise reference page to learn how to attenuate helmet noise

wBW Recommended Ear Plug Brands:  See the right-hand column on this page for links to our earplug reviews; EAR E-A-Rsoft Grippers are our current favorites!  |  Many motorcyclists recommend earplugs by either E.A.R., Howard Leight or Moldex (see descriptions and photos below).  Of the many styles of disposable earplugs made by Howard Leight, there are three that are recommended: the Max, the Max-Lite, and the Laser Lite.  Moldex makes a disposable called the Moldex Pura-fit 6800.  This is the earplug I have been using.  Remember that every ear canal is different, so try several types until you find the one that works best for you.  wBW recommends earplugs that you purchase earplugs with at least a 30 dB noise attenuation (see the Howard Leight link above).  Make sure your earplugs are tested in accordance with ANSI S3.19-1974. 

Latest wBW Ear Plug Reviews:  Non-Disposable Ear Plugs Reviewed  |  Noise Reduction Earphones  |  Mack's silicone ear plugs and disposables reviewed  |  Six new disposable ear plugs reviewed  |  Lucy Dell's sample pack of earplugs

Disposable Ear Plug Fitting Instructions:  It is important to make sure your earplugs are inserted and fit properly, or you won't get the full benefit of their noise attenuation.  Here's a nice .pdf poster from 3M that illustrates how to wear earplugs.

Before fitting any ear plugs, make sure your hands are clean!  Hold the ear plug between your thumb and forefinger.  Roll and compress the entire ear plug to a small, crease-free cylinder. 

While still rolling, use your other hand to reach over your head and pull up and back on your outer ear.  This is important!  This straightens the ear canal, making way for a snug fit.  Sometimes it helps to hold your mouth and throat open whilst inserting the earplugs.

Insert the ear plug and hold for a few seconds. This allows the ear plug to expand and fill the ear canal.  When properly inserted, the ambient sound level should drop way down as the earplugs expand.  You'll feel like the "world's closing in on you" as some have mentioned.  If you can cup your hands over your ears and the noise seems to decrease, your ear plugs are probably not fitted properly. Remove and refit following instructions. 

Always remove ear plugs slowly, twisting them to break the seal. If you remove them too quickly, you could damage your ear drum!  Foam ear plugs are disposable and are not supposed to be re-used, but I usually can wear the same pair anywhere from two to four or so times without problems.  More:  Extensive article (.pdf format) entitled "Tips for Fitting Hearing Protectors" by audiologist Elliot H. Berger

Noise Levels, Hearing and Motorcycles:  John Allen's interesting page "A Bicyclist's Sense of Hearing" has some good information on hearing, headphone types and headphone laws  |  A summary of a study that describes the sources of motorcycle helmet noise 

Hearing Protection and Earplug Resources:  U.S. Department of Labor information on the effects of hearing loss and prevention  |  The Tinnitus and Hyperacusis site has information about tinnitus (and hyperacusis) and an interesting retraining therapy that can be used in some cases (Thanks to JS!)   |  The Mayo Clinic on Tinnitus  |  This study comparing laboratory NRR ratings of commercially available disposable earplugs vs. field testing NRR results doesn't always load correctly, but may be useful  |  "The Naked Truth About NRR's" is a .pdf file from EAR Inc.

Custom Made Ear Plugs:  wBW Visitor "P.L." writes:  "I've been a professional recording engineer and live soundman and (the EAR Inc. Sonic Valve earplugs) are the best earplugs! A great number of 'roadies' swear by them also."; the Sonic Valves come in standard or custom-fit varieties  |  DIY Custom Plugs are apparently no longer in business, but you can still "do it yourself" custom molded ear plugs at a very reasonable price with this kit  |  DIY Earplugs has custom molded ear plugs and disposable ear plugs in the UK

Earplugs and Speakers for Music:  Blockade noise reducing earbuds review  |  Comply in the Ear makes noise reduction earphones that claim 42dB (NR-1) or 48dB (NR-10) noise reduction and a signal boost for listening to music; here's our review  |  wBW Visitor B.Y. developed an interesting solution which combines hearing protection with the ability to listen to music  |  Rock 'n Roll Hearos or Hi-Fi Hearos are designed to be worn at concerts, but may also work with helmet speakers

Earplugs in the News:  California at one time was going to pass a law banning earplug use while riding.  See the California Earplug page for more information  |  Recently, there have been reports of California police officers ticketing motorcyclists for wearing earplugs.  It was assumed that this was a new law that had recently been passed.  But sources have now informed us that this law has been on the books in California since January of 1986!  The California law prohibits motorcyclists from wearing earplugs.  This wBW information page has a copy of the law as it is written; can you decipher it?

Moldex:  We have found the Moldex Pura-fit 6800 to be very soft and comfortable.  These are the earplugs we use almost all of the time when riding.  According to the box, they have a noise  attenuation of 32.8 to 43.9 dB, depending upon frequency.  They are very comfortable and barely noticeable when inserted properly. 

Rick says: "The only problem is that they may be a bit too small in diameter for some ear canals.  I have solved this problem by inserting them 'backwards', that is, I insert the larger end of the tapered plug first.  This works well for me, although the blunt end can sometimes be felt.  I can tell when they are properly inserted, as I can really hear the ambient noise level decrease dramatically when they expand in my ear."  Information about Moldex earplugs can be found on the Moldex website. 

Sources for Earplugs UK:  All Earplugs carries Mack's brand earplugs and they ship world wide  |  Lucy Dell Earplugs sells many types of earplugs, including Howard Leight, Moldex Purafit 6800, down filled eaplugs and more; they also are a supplier of earplugs to the U.K. police; see the wBW Review of Lucy Dell's sample pack of earplugs  |  Carbtune in the U.K. has Howard Leight and EAR  |  Snorestore carries Mack's brand of earplugs

Sources for Ear Plugs Worldwide:  Alpine MotoSafe ear plugs are one of the only ear plug types specifically designed for motorcycle use and they come with two different noise attenuation inserts  |  Hear-Tech earplugs are sold in many countries; inexpensive shipping to anywhere in the world; see the wBW review of Heartech Earplugs

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►Reader Comments and Owner Feedback

From "J.R." (11/09):  "I have some comments on your reviews of disposable foam earplugs.  I have always worn earplugs when riding.  I started out with the E.A.R. Classics - which I would typically wash and reuse almost indefinitely.

I tried some of the reusable style earplugs, but none of them work for me.  I too have a
problem with my right ear canal.  In my case, it has an extra bend in it, and if I am not careful, the earplugs do not insert all the way and then they simply do not block the noise.  The reusable style plugs do not go in far enough at all.

After reading your review of the E.A.R. Grippers, I decided I had to try them.  Naturally, this was just after the non-corded version had been discontinued.  So, instead I ordered various trial packs and did some experimentation. 

In my opinion, the "E.A.R Classic Superfit 33" are the best earplugs I have ever tried when it comes to noise reduction.  They are so good in fact that I quit wearing them on my daily commute because I felt they isolated me too much.  The time I glanced to my left and discovered an 18-wheeler which I had not even realized was there shook me.  The problem with the Superfit 33's are that they are PVC foam not urethane and after about an hour or so, the PVC starts to itch.

For regular commuting, I settled on the E.A.R EarSoft FX.  Even though they have the same NRR (33) as the Superfit 33's, they don't seem to isolate as much.  They do a very good job however, and they are comfortable.  If I have a complaint, it is that they are softer then the PVC style plugs, and hence more difficult to get inserted correctly in my right ear.  Also, I have noticed on a few long rides that they can tend to work their way out.

For long rides, I prefer the E.A.R Classic Soft.  This is billed as "thermal reactive foam" which gets softer with body heat.  This seems to actually work.  They are quite comfortable, which is why I like them for longer rides.  The complaint is that it can take a little while to soften and expand fully, so I don't wear them on the commute.

I note that I tried the Taperfit II, as well as some of the others you suggest, and none of them seems to be as good at noise reduction as the ones I mention.

I really wish the Grippers were still available. Maybe they are / were the perfect earplug (in which case, why discontinue them).  In the meantime, the EarSoft FX seems to be the closest thing I could find, with the various versions of the Classic - including the plain Classic - being good backups."

From "Y.R." (10/09):  "After reading (the Blockade ear buds review) I went after these earbuds.  In every single place I found the seller didn't ship outside US for a reasonable price, I only find one seller that charged the same price of the earbuds for the shipping.

Together with the review I read the comments, after I couldn't find the Blockade earbuds I decided to buy the Etymotic earbuds that one of the comments talked about. They are much more expensive than the Blockades, but the sound quality from what I've read was definitely better.

On the specs of this earbuds it's said the NRR is 34-36 dB, I thought there was no way that these could be better than the Purafit 6800,which is what I always use (they have an NRR of 33).

When I got the earbuds I wasn't intending on using than for motorcycling anymore, it's illegal where I live (Brazil) and makes riding much more dangerous.  But just to test, I used it once.  To my surprise with the foam plugs the Etymotic ER-6i also comes, it really does block even more noise than the Purafit.  The Etymotic comes with 4 pairs of plugs.

One with a common cylindrical shape (which is the best), one that is kind like a ball (which you can put without rolling it), this one blocks as much as the Purafit.  And it also comes with two sizes of silicon ones, they are good, but blocks much less noise than the foam ones.

Oh, and on the only time I wore them, I was hit behind by a car on a traffic light that went yellow and I stopped (kinda suddenly, but not much), I was almost at full stop when I was hit (maybe 2mph) and the car was about 6mph faster, my rear wheel locked and I was pushed forward, but I managed not to fall.

The driver said that had faulty brakes (which I could not hear ,I read the lips), I don't even know if the driver used the horn, with these earbuds and music playing you can't hear it.  And I never put the volume too loud.  Don't ride using earbuds."

From "J.H." (9/09):  "Since I returned to riding a year ago, I’ve learned to go to webBikeWorld.com whenever I think about buying new gear.  Recently while browsing through the site I ran across your ear plug review and would like to suggest some plugs that I find comfortable and are great at blocking noise levels (at least for my ears).

I have been using Winchester brand Red-E-Fit Foam Earplugs for some time.  I used to pick them up every so often at local sporting goods stores, but recently noticed that my neighborhood Lowes carries them.

I can’t remember exactly what I paid for a package of a dozen plugs, but it wasn’t more than a few dollars.  For my ears I find the Red-E-Fit plugs comfortable and do an exceptional job of blocking out noise.  The plugs are soft, pliable, are easily rolled up and do not expand too quickly.

BTW: I have no interest in the company that manufactures or sells these plugs.  I simply want to pass along info regarding the ones I like to use."

From "K" (1/08):  "Always enjoy your excellent reviews.  I am new to the sport and really didn't think about earplugs until I began to read information on your sight.

I tried many different ones and maybe I have some weird ear canal shapes but I didn't find anything really comfortable or anything that fit my ears well.  I came across a product by Beneficial Products Inc. which claim to be rated NRR 34 and to be the "world's finest earplugs".

I have been using them for the past several months and for me they have been outstanding.  They really block all that noisy air going around in my helmet and the fit is both comfortably and tight. BPI states the product is made out from Beeswax, Cotton and Lanolin. 

To me it is like molding silly putty and putting it in my ears.  I do not know if you have seen or tired the product, but I thought I would pass along my comments. Thanks for your continued great information."