Your bike is making you deaf.
That is, of course, if you don’t wear any form of hearing protection while riding. Just an hour on your bike at motorway speeds is enough time to cause hearing damage.
“I’m just nipping out on the bike for an hour to damage my hearing, love. See you in a bit.”
It’s wind noise, rather than engine noise that is the main issue as the energy in the sound waves gives your tympanic membrane a hammering. Yes, helmet technology has improved and lids are generally quieter and yes, a big screen will reduce noise but hearing loss is still an issue and here to stay.
Table of Contents
Best Motorcycle Earplugs
It’s very hard to say that any earplug is the outright best because we all have different sized lugholes and different sensitivities.
However, as you can see from this review below, I’ve tried well over 20 different sets of commonly available earplugs and picked these two as my best buys.
All-day comfortable
Earplugs are a personal thing. I’ve tried a huge variety over the years and these 3M Earsoft Yellow Neons are my pick. They’re all-day comfortable, easy to roll up and insert and they block out a decent amount of noise without making you feel isolated.
Comfortable and easy to apply
There’s no point having a quiet earplug that’s not comfortable – it’ll drive you mad. That’s why my second choice pick is Howard Leight’s Laser Lite. They’re comfortable and easy to apply and they block out a good amount of noise. If you take your earplugs out quite frequently these are the ones to go for as the T-shape makes them easier to remove.
The 3M EARSofts are my personal favourites. They cost £9.79 for 50 pairs which works out at 19.8p per pair
They aren’t in the Amazon top five best rated (there are some odd choices in there) but out of the tens of pairs of earplugs I’ve tried over the years, these tick all the right boxes.
They’re soft, easy to roll and all-day comfortable. Plus they’re from a quality manufacturer, 3M.
Despite being smaller in diameter than other earplugs, they have an SNR of 33, so they’re nice and quiet without making you feel like you’ve got a bucket on your head.
The smaller diameter means that when they’re fully expanded they’re not putting undue pressure on your ears, which is what some people hate about wearing earplugs.
The Howard Leight Laser Lite (good tongue twister, that!) gets the runner-up spot. They’re a great choice for all the reasons stated above and from a specialist manufacturer you can trust.
Motorcycling and Hearing Loss
If you’ve ever got off your bike and your ears are ringing, that’s called temporary threshold shift and it’s an early sign that you’re damaging your hearing. Lying in bed at night and your ears are ringing? That’s an early stage of tinnitus. It’s time to review your earplug protocol.
Studies show that hearing damage can have a significant effect on a person’s mental and emotional well-being, often leading to feelings of anxiety, frustration, and depression. That all sounds a bit deep but hearing loss is a serious issue and if you ride a motorcycle you’re at a much greater risk of doing irreparable damage to your ears and you’d benefit from sticking something down your lughole before you ride.
Aside from saving your hearing, earplugs have two other benefits – firstly, when you first put them in, it’s like someone’s added 50bhp to your bike – the lack of noise has a funny way of making things feel faster. Secondly, wearing earplugs over a long distance helps prevent you from feeling TOTALLY KNACKERED when you get there. The battering the wind noise makes is overpowering for the old noggin.
If you want to do a bit more reading then hopefully this article will give you all the insight you need to review the market and make a great buying decision.
Earplug buying checklist
A good earplug has to tick these boxes for you.
Comfort
It's no good blocking out noise if they're uncomfortable. If you've never worn eaprlugs before, start with reusable foam ones before you shell out on custom molded options
Practicality
If you're the sort of person who loses things all too easily, you probably don't want to buy custom earplugs if you'll never be able to find them and use them. But if oyu're in it for the long-term, a custom option is great asthey are easy to fit and can be washed clean.
Noise reduction
Reducing noise is key and although it may sound daft, some earplugs are almost too good at cutting out noise. Fine if you're working on your own in a workshop all day but not so great when you need to be more aware of what's around you. You don't want to be completely isolated but you do want to trim off the wind noise that causes hearing loss.
Three different types of earplugs
This review covers three main types of earplugs for motorcyclists: custom moulded, reusable and disposable.
1. Custom Moulded
Custom moulded earplugs are a popular item for motorcyclists who are already converted to the quieter side of motorcycling. They come in two types: DIY custom moulded earplug kits or custom earplugs that are professionally produced.
They are exactly as they sound – earplugs that are bespoke to you. They usually cover the entire outer of your ear (known as the concha). The plug itself doesn’t go that far into your ear canal.
In my experience (I’ve had two different types of custom moulded earplugs), they don’t block out as much sound as a disposable foam earplug but if you find any earplugs uncomfortable (due to pressure in your ear canal), a custom set might work well for you.
They’re easy to maintain as most can just be washed with soapy water. Some companies will also produce versions that come with earphones built in, connected to a 3.5mm jack.
A DIY custom moulded earplug kit will cost around £30. For a set of custom moulded motorcycle earplugs, the cost varies but expect to pay anything from £60 – £100 for a quality set.
If you’re going down the custom route, we’d recommend a professionally produced set. They’re better quality, end of.
The Best Custom Moulded Motorcycle Earplugs
The honest answer is there is no ‘best’ when it comes to custom-moulded ear plugs but here are some companies that have been serving bikers for years:
- customfitguards.co.uk/
- ultimateear.com/categories/motorcyclist
- auritech.co.uk/custom-fit-earplugs.html
2. Reusable earplugs
There are also rubber ones that look a bit like a wine bottle stopper – these are reusable but not actually that good at keeping wine fresh.
If you don’t know what they look like, these are a good example of reusable earplugs.
Truth be told, I’ve not met anyone who wears rubber reusables on the bike. I can see how they would be useful at a motorsports event or the like, where you’ll be taking them in and out countless times in a day and you won’t be wearing a helmet.
Personally speaking, I find them a bit uncomfortable, they’re always applying pressure to my ear canal, pushing outwards. They also poke out a bit too much and I can feel them being tweaked by my helmet lining when I’m riding.
I’m all about the foam, me.
3. Disposable earplugs
These are the most common type but in case you’re not familiar with them, they look like this.
When I was a yoof and first started riding, I was sensible enough to wear earplugs but I also had short arms and deep pockets; a set of disposable earplugs would last a month.
In the end what I was stuffing into my ears was 50% earplug, 25% ear wax and 25% pocket fluff. Even though people always seem to link disposable earplugs with ear infections, despite my track record, I’ve never suffered one.
Disposable earplugs are great – you can carry a few packets around with you and – unlike with custom earplugs – not worry about the cost of a replacement should you lose them.
The best disposable motorcycle earplugs
As I hope I’ve made clear above, there is no ‘best’ when it comes to earplugs, because different plugs work in different ways for different people, so if you’re in any doubt, buy this earplug selection pack and have a go yourself.
In my time (almost a decade) of working as a motorcycle journalist, I’ve tried on tens of different makes and models of earplugs in the quest for the perfect one and for me, the 3M Earsofts are the best.
Amazon Customer’s Top 5
(and my opinion of them)
The table below links to the Top 5 by rating on Amazon. I’ve ridden with them all and I’m going to give you my personal opinion of them.
3M E-A-R Classic Ear Plugs
£7.90 for 50 pairs – 15.8p per pair
I find these a bit itchy, the material isn’t that soft, and the slightly coarse material tends to get dirty quite quickly. They’re also harder to insert as they’re not conical and they’re quite short. Despite all this, they’re Amazon’s top rated, so what do I know?!
Moldex Pura-Fit
£22.99 for 200 pairs – 11.5p per pair
Nice soft material and quite dense. They block out a lot of noise, too. These take a bit of a pro-touch to roll up and get in place before they expand as they spring back quickly but once in they’re comfortable but not the comfiest.
Howard Leight Laser Lite
£12.99 for 100 pairs – 13p per pair
Looking like a Rhubarb & Custard sweet but slightly easier to get in your ear, these Laser Lites are easy to roll up and fit, they have a good SNR rating of 35 (35dB reduction) and thanks to the soft foam, they’re comfortable too. These are my second favourite model of earplug.
3M E-A-RSoft FX earplugs
£10.99 for 50 pairs – 23p per pair
I can’t use these earplugs. They’re bigger than the rest, quite wide and consequently they need a deft touch to roll up and get in place. If you’ve got wide ear canals (mine are tiny), then these could be a good option for you but for me it feels like I’m trying to stuff a sock into my ear.
3M 1100 Earplugs
£15.92 for 200 pairs – 7.96p per pair
You can’t go wrong with these earplugs from 3M but I don’t think they’re the best ones 3M do. These are called the 1100 range and claim to reduce noise by 37dB. They’re super cheap too. A good choice but not as comfortable as the Earsofts.
Motorcycle Earplugs - Ben's Top Tips
Give your disposables a longer life by using a squeeze pouch to store them in when you’re off the bike - rather than just putting them in your pocket where they pick up dust and dirt.
Sticking your earplugs in your helmet vents when you park up is a great way of getting an ear infection.
You shouldn't lose your custom molded earplugs but you probably will. When you get measured up, after for two or three pairs as each additional pair will only cost a few quid more.
What is the Noise Reduction Rating? (NRR)
The NRR rating is really confusing. Well it is to me at least. Let’s say the NRR is 23 decibels. You’d think this meant that it would reduce 100dB of noise to 77dB but it doesn’t work like that.
Instead take the NRR number, subtract seven then divide by two (23 – 7 / 2 = 8), so a 100dB noise would be reduced to 92dB.
Luckily, they also have the SNR, see below..
What is the Single Number Rating? (SNR)
Slightly less confusing is the SNR – Single Noise Reduction. If an earplug has an SNR of 21 and the noise level is 100dB, then the earplugs would let an average of 79dB through.
Keep your earplugs handy
If you’re really cool, like me, you can fit an earplug dispenser like this one in your garage and that way you never forget to go out without a few pairs on you.
There are hundreds of types of earplugs around. You won't go wrong with my top pick the 3M Earsofts but if you're in any doubt, I’d highly recommend you buy an assortment like these and try them out to find a set that fits you best.
Motorcycle Earplug FAQs
Will I be able to hear other road users?
Earplugs are designed to cancel out high-frequency noise – like wind noise, so they don’t block out everything and don’t leave you feeling vulnerable on the bike. At first they take a bit of getting used to but once you get used to them you’ll wonder how you managed without.
Can I wash foam earplugs?
The short answer is no. If they get wet they tend to expand. Plus at 20p a pair, it’s not worth the hassle.
Do they make bluetooth custom motorcycle earplugs?
They’re getting there. One firm, Ultimate Ears, in the USA make a set of custom-moulded bluetooth earplugs. They look a bit chunky to be properly comfortable on the bike and they cost a whopping £400. http://pro.ultimateears.com/bluetooth
Can I hear my bluetooth headset with earplugs in?
Sounds that are close by, like sound from speakers aren’t too badly affected by earplugs. Earplugs are great at cutting out high-frequency noise, like wind noise. You can get really good sound with a set of custom moulded earplugs with built-in speakers.
Sources
Thanks to the following websites which helped us write this motorcycle earplugs review.
https://www.hearingcenterofhawaii.com/blog/connection-happiness-hearing-loss/
