OK, maybe this is a stupid question, but have you tried taking regular earplugs and cutting a little bit off to make the diameter smaller? Never tried this, so I don't know how well it would work, but its gotta be better than nothing and costs nothing to try. Since they're foam and expand they may still work OK even if the cut isn't circular like the rest of the plug.
Any Advice on How to Reduce Helmet Noise Without Ear Plugs
- Thread starter Moto-Charlie
- Start date
larryg
Site Supporter
I would suggest that she try these smaller diameter Hearos earplugs:
www.hearos.com
I use the regular size Hearos plugs, they're very soft and comfortable, and great noise reduction
Might be worth $10 to give these a try.
Good luck....
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Petite ears need protection, too At HEAROS, we recognize that all ear canals are not the same. Regular foam ear plugs can be uncomfortable to wear and difficult to even keep in the ears, making you less apt to use them and more susceptible to hearing loss. We designed HEAROS Nanos Extra Small...
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I use the regular size Hearos plugs, they're very soft and comfortable, and great noise reduction
Might be worth $10 to give these a try.
Good luck....
Along this line of thinking...I've found that a windshield set for the pilot's quietness invariably creates turbulence for the passenger. A fair bit of experimenting and definitely a compromise would be in order.
sirbike
Site Supporter
Calsci under mirror deflectors cut turbulence down behind my helmet.
I don’t ride with a passenger much but what I noticed was that formerly if I leaned back a little there was turbulence.
I figure that I have average canal size. The Howard Leight plugs compress down nicely but the mushroomed out edge pushed out uncomfortably the tragus. So I cut that off. With that trimmed off the HL plugs, which I find to be the softest, put the least amount of pressure in my ears.
I wonder if you could trim the diameter over its length.
If she has a lot of wax I’d wonder if putting these plugs in at first would be ok but quickly become uncomfortable after a few uses, and not roll down as tight as they absorb moisture.
I found the quiet ride ear muffs worked well up to about 45 mph. Over that sounds was getting conducted through the contact with the ear muffs. Maybe it could have worked better with more effort but with the combination of my wind management and modified earplugs I found peace.
And a Neotec 2 helmet helps. It blocks sound from underneath fairly well. And a Respro foggy too.
I don’t ride with a passenger much but what I noticed was that formerly if I leaned back a little there was turbulence.
I figure that I have average canal size. The Howard Leight plugs compress down nicely but the mushroomed out edge pushed out uncomfortably the tragus. So I cut that off. With that trimmed off the HL plugs, which I find to be the softest, put the least amount of pressure in my ears.
I wonder if you could trim the diameter over its length.
If she has a lot of wax I’d wonder if putting these plugs in at first would be ok but quickly become uncomfortable after a few uses, and not roll down as tight as they absorb moisture.
I found the quiet ride ear muffs worked well up to about 45 mph. Over that sounds was getting conducted through the contact with the ear muffs. Maybe it could have worked better with more effort but with the combination of my wind management and modified earplugs I found peace.
And a Neotec 2 helmet helps. It blocks sound from underneath fairly well. And a Respro foggy too.
skidgillen
Site Supporter
My wife also has very small ear canals. She couldn't handle regular foam ear plugs for any period of time without great discomfort. She also can't handle carnival rides. We went with the custom ear plugs with the noise reducing filters and have never looked back. Mine are BIGEAR and hers are INEARZ. Work great at cutting all the bad noise but we can still communicate via Cardo and listen to music while we ride at interstate speeds. They are a little spendy, but hearing aids are OUTRAGEOUS! Protect your hearing.
Amazon.com: Quiet Rider Helmet Skirt Standard with Zipper for Airflow - Made in The USA - Noise Reduction - Easy Install : Automotive
Buy Quiet Rider Helmet Skirt Standard with Zipper for Airflow - Made in The USA - Noise Reduction - Easy Install: Helmets - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
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Haven't used myself, but might help some. I've thought about one before
Yes my Arai Quantum has that flap and it is way quieter than any helmet I've tried. I would have tried a Schuberth if I could find a place to try one on near here. That said, I love the Arai.
I have the same problem and have had a couple of ear issues when wearing earbuds or plugs regularly because of it. Also, as ChriSTian_64 mentioned, experimenting with a different windshield, while expensive, may prove worth it.
Don-STOC237
STealer
A helmet liner will also reduce the noise somewhat. LDComfort has a good one. https://ldcomfort.com/helmet-liner-w-ties-tail-new-sizes.html#product-tabs4
Bose makes noise canceling ear buds. I bought mine a few years ago, but they fail for very loud, sudden noises. For me, riding on the bike, when I approached the back of a semi trailer at speed, the turbulence sounds like a slap on the side of my helmet, and this was amplified by the ear buds. It sounded like the thump when you turn on a high wattage amp - I think the speakers travel to their limit of movement. Anyway, this was probably 4 or 5 yrears ago, and Bose does have a 30 day try them n return em free policy.
Did not someone make an inflatable bladder that fit inside your helmet? You pumped it up and that pressed foam cups over your ear like ear muffs?
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
@klaproth bought them few years ago. He responded in this thread (see post 11) saying that the quality was inferior and that he does not recommend them.
I missed that post somehow. Thanks for the heads up.
I have the C3 and my issue is that it lets in too much air. I rode a sports bike not long ago, and oh man it was windy.
sirbike
Site Supporter
I used these pre-neotec 2, they work well.
Bose noise canceling buds gave me a scary case of tinnitus.
Near as I can figure, have damage that is worsened by the pop of sudden changes that the buds can’t keep up with. In between the pops was great.
I know this doesn't address Moto-Charlie's concerns, but for what it's worth, I had purchased an Bilt Evolution flip-up helmet from Cycle Gear. IMO, a very nice comfortable helmet at a great price. I also thought it was very loud. Earplugs were a must.
Wanting to protect my hearing, I looked into different 'quite' helmets and decided on a Neotec 2 (The Schuberths did not fit me correctly). It was purchased at a local Harley dealer on closeout, brand new for $300. (I guess Harley riders won't wear a full face helmet.) It came in any color I wanted as long as it was matte black. Black matte would be my last choice of color, but hey, $300 ! It also is a very nice comfortable helmet. It's a little quieter than the Bilt, but it was also very loud. Very disappointed. Earplugs are still a must.
I had ridden with neck gaiters, extra foam in the helmet earholes and earplugs all to no avail. Having said all that, favoring the Sport side of the ST, I had always ridden with my windscreen in the lowest position. On the advise of friends, I tried the windscreen in the almost full-up position. It dramatically cut down the wind noise. I could now actually hear the ST's engine. I still wear earplugs. As most of our riding is in the twisties, I'm having to relearn how to ride with the raised windscreen.
Bottom line, I don't think there is such a thing as a quite helmet.
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ST Gui
240Robert
I doubt very much that foam fillers in the helmet voids will provide any significant noise reduction. Some kind of "solid" fabric padding will work better but may still be lacking. Too much pressure on the ears can make them quite sore so a balance would need to be sought.
If your wife has trouble with earplugs I'd imagine earbuds would be problematic as well. Foam earplugs cut to fit might work. But the edges should be radiused or the ears might not be happy.
Custom earplugs should work on just about any size ears.
In my non-medical experience noise seems to increase the production of earwax. Maybe once some relief from noise is found that will be less of a problem.
Were it I then helmets would be the last thing I'd experiment with. It's my belief there are no quiet helmets– just some less noisy than others. As mentioned a different windshield might provide more relief.
If your wife has trouble with earplugs I'd imagine earbuds would be problematic as well. Foam earplugs cut to fit might work. But the edges should be radiused or the ears might not be happy.
Custom earplugs should work on just about any size ears.
In my non-medical experience noise seems to increase the production of earwax. Maybe once some relief from noise is found that will be less of a problem.
Were it I then helmets would be the last thing I'd experiment with. It's my belief there are no quiet helmets– just some less noisy than others. As mentioned a different windshield might provide more relief.
I've used custom plugs for at least a decade now (on my 2nd pair). But about five years ago, when experiencing some ear irritation, I tried these silicone plugs. I actually used half of a plug in each year. I remember that they were comfy and did a decent job of noise reduction. I was able to get a little of the material into the canal and the rest smashed around the outside. The downside is that they're kinda sticky and get dirty quicker than foam plugs. Looks like my local Walmart carries them.
Which oil do you use?
I use olive oil.
Fill the ear canal with olive oil and it will liquify the ear wax.
Makes it easier to get all the wax out. Chem101 - Like dissolves like.
Organically safe to use.
Works better if you can find someone named Molly to help you.
I use olive oil.
Fill the ear canal with olive oil and it will liquify the ear wax.
Makes it easier to get all the wax out. Chem101 - Like dissolves like.
Organically safe to use.
Works better if you can find someone named Molly to help you.
I Have actually taken a pair of ear muffs apart and jammed the foam in the ear pocket on my Arai. another helmet i bought Dynamat and removed the insides of the helmet and lined the ear area with it. its really thin so it doesn't take up much space.