Page 2 of 2
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 8:38 am
by Mr Moofo
Pirahna wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 8:34 pm
Another Loop user. I've got the Quiet 2 and Switch 2. To be honest I can't really tell the difference no matter what setting the Switch 2 is on, but then my hearing isn't the best, the outer loop is made of hard plastic. The Quiet 2 loop is much softer and more comfortable under a helmet.
This is test is pretty good:
https://www.verified-choice.com/moto/v1 ... RkQAvD_BwE
Thanks for that - good test and suggestion that maybe hear are worth the cost
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 9:11 am
by Nordboy
I'm lucky in that I had moulded earplugs bought for me every 5 years when in work. So I have 5 pairs in total. What is interesting is how different they all are as your ears are constantly changing shape and size. One pair I have are really uncomfortable now in the left ear when I wear them for long periods of time.
I do also have a small back up stash of rhubarb and custards though, just in case I lose one when out.
But even after wearing fitted earplugs for all the years I was riding, often at high speed and with blues and twos and having loud comms speakers or earplug comms directly into my ears, my hearing is knackered. I suffer with tinnitus which can drive me mad at times. And I 100% think the hearing difficulties are down to my previous job role.
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 9:23 am
by Pirahna
I had a pair of custom earplugs made when I got my new hearing aids last year. The right one was perfect, the left one would fall out. I had four different moulds made for my left year and each one would work it's way out. In the end they gave me a refund.
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 10:20 am
by Noggin
I had moulded ones which were brilliant - I could never get the squishy ones in equally so never felt balanced!
Then I didn't wear them for a few years and now they don't fit quite right
.
So, at some point (when I'm allowed to ride again, next year
) I need to find somewhere here to get new ones made
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 1:10 pm
by Skub
Noggin wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2026 10:20 am
I had moulded ones which were brilliant - I could never get the squishy ones in equally so never felt balanced!
Then I didn't wear them for a few years and now they don't fit quite right
.
So, at some point (when I'm allowed to ride again, next year
) I need to find somewhere here to get new ones made
Probably because your ears keep growing and changing throughout life,so even if you get custom plugs fitted,there will be a time when they no longer fit.
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 2:45 pm
by Noggin
Skub wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2026 1:10 pm
Noggin wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2026 10:20 am
I had moulded ones which were brilliant - I could never get the squishy ones in equally so never felt balanced!
Then I didn't wear them for a few years and now they don't fit quite right
.
So, at some point (when I'm allowed to ride again, next year
) I need to find somewhere here to get new ones made
Probably because your ears keep growing and changing throughout life,so even if you get custom plugs fitted,there will be a time when they no longer fit.
It was the first time I realised that! And I hadn't worn the molded plugs for maybe 6 or 7 years (for long enough to notice a difference). Still wierd
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 3:31 pm
by Pirahna
Mr Moofo wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2026 8:38 am
Pirahna wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 8:34 pm
Another Loop user. I've got the Quiet 2 and Switch 2. To be honest I can't really tell the difference no matter what setting the Switch 2 is on, but then my hearing isn't the best, the outer loop is made of hard plastic. The Quiet 2 loop is much softer and more comfortable under a helmet.
This is test is pretty good:
https://www.verified-choice.com/moto/v1 ... RkQAvD_BwE
Thanks for that - good test and suggestion that maybe hear are worth the cost
I've ordered a pair of the Hear plugs, I'll keep you posted.
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 3:37 pm
by Skub
Sunny wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 4:55 pm
But I've just been influenced into buying some Hears, which are very similar to Loop, but allegedly more comfortable for long rides, many of which I'm about to do.
I'll report back...
Pirahna wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2026 3:31 pm
I've ordered a pair of the Hear plugs, I'll keep you posted.
Me three. Oh the perils of idle time wasted on t'interwebz.
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2026 11:10 pm
by Sunny
Pirahna wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 8:34 pm
Another Loop user. I've got the Quiet 2 and Switch 2. To be honest I can't really tell the difference no matter what setting the Switch 2 is on, but then my hearing isn't the best, the outer loop is made of hard plastic. The Quiet 2 loop is much softer and more comfortable under a helmet.
This is test is pretty good:
https://www.verified-choice.com/moto/v1 ... RkQAvD_BwE
That's the one that made me get them
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 10:04 am
by asmethurst99
Just used a set for the first time -pretty good - and make the bike faster.
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2026 11:10 am
by mangocrazy
I read through the test article and one statement stood out for me: MotoGP riders? They all wear earplugs. Custom-moulded, audiologist-fitted, weeks of fitting and waiting. All of them. Sorry, but that simply isn't true.
I do a fair bit of MotoGP watching and quite often you see riders putting in earplugs just before going out for a session.
They wear standard, foam earplugs. They will doubtless use a fresh set every time (unlike cheapskate me) but they use readily available cheap foam earplugs. They could afford anything they want but they use foam earplugs. Why would that be if the other types of earplugs are better?
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2026 8:48 am
by Newbie73
Scotsrich wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 6:07 pm
I bought custom moulded ones at the Birmingham Show last year.
I’m pretty underwhelmed by them to be honest. Maybe it’s just those particular ones.
I had some made by Autotel - they specialise in Race focused comms gear. I found them very good...
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2026 2:17 pm
by Whysub
Nordboy wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2026 9:11 am
I'm lucky in that I had moulded earplugs bought for me every 5 years when in work. So I have 5 pairs in total. What is interesting is how different they all are as your ears are constantly changing shape and size. One pair I have are really uncomfortable now in the left ear when I wear them for long periods of time.
I do also have a small back up stash of rhubarb and custards though, just in case I lose one when out.
But even after wearing fitted earplugs for all the years I was riding, often at high speed and with blues and twos and having loud comms speakers or earplug comms directly into my ears, my hearing is knackered. I suffer with tinnitus which can drive me mad at times. And I 100% think the hearing difficulties are down to my previous job role.
Like you, my previous employers used to buy me a new set of moulded plugs every couple of years (along with a helmet) from 2000 to 2018.
I never had a pair that were comfortable to have in for more than a couple of hours (and I could be deployed for 12 hours or more at times).
I used to cut off the bit that went into my ear canal, and just use the part that fitted my outer ear, and I could still hear the radio calls crystal clear. I never had blues and two, just high speed riding to dull my hearing.
Luckily my hearing is still excellent, as my last hearing test confirmed. I have been using foam earplugs for 40 years now on the bike, and also used defenders when clay pigeon shooting
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2026 1:08 pm
by Sunny
Sunny wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2026 4:55 pm
I find earplugs a massive pain. Got some custom moulded ones were were better than the foam ones, but they still made my ears ache after a while, and so I often rode without.
Recently I've been using Loop, which are great - easy to fit, comfortable, and work.
But I've just been influenced into buying some Hears, which are very similar to Loop, but allegedly more comfortable for long rides, many of which I'm about to do.
I'll report back...
I just don't get on with ear plugs. It's not them, it's me.
So it's kind of pointless me reporting back, but... The Hears ones fit my left ear fine, and were indeed comfortable for long rides. But nothing seems to stay in my right ear. I've tried the different sized inserts they come with and yet still no 'seal'.
So I gave up and went back to nothing, and/or the rhubarb and custard foam ones for the motorway stretches.
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2026 7:52 pm
by Bustaspoke
I started using ear plugs 3 years ago.My favourite's are those mushroom types,Now I couldn't go any distance without them,a couple of times I've just nipped out a couple of miles for some petrol,not used the plugs & I've regretted it.The longest ride I've done so far was approx 370 miles in one day & I only had minor discomfort in my ears.I also mark the plugs so the same earplug goes back into the same earhole.
The dilema now is that I also do cycling & don't use earplugs on the pushbike but above 30 MPH it starts getting noisy..
Re: Ear plugs
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2026 8:16 pm
by Cousin Jack
I have always used disposable ones, both for motorcycles and before that for pistol shooting. (Some pistols warrented a set of muffs too, 44 Magnums indoors are a tad loud and 9mm is a very yappy little beast). Never really had an issue with foam plugs although the really soft yellow bell-shaped ones were most comfortable and are hard to find today
