custom molded ear plugs?
- Thread starter TrxR
- Start date
I use custom molded. I'm pretty sure it's this product. I got it done at a gun show.
http://www.instamold.com/consumer-products/custom-molded-ear-plugs/
As I recall they were $65. They're done while you wait.
I absolutely love them. The protection level is very good IMHO. They're incredibly comfortable. I really disliked the foam earplugs and stopped wearing them long ago. With the customs I can leave them in for long periods of time and they're perfectly comfortable. As an example, I'll frequently leave them in when I go downrange during a cease fire. I have no reason to take them out because they're not bugging me. (As opposed to earmuffs, which I also wear on occasion, where I do take them off because they become uncomfortable.) I also use them when I'm mowing the lawn.
The customs work well enough I sometimes miss when others are looking to call a cease fire. And more importantly, they really are not optimum if you're wanting to talk with someone. So I have good electronic earmuffs for when I need to talk while shooting. But if I'm alone or not shooting with anyone per se I'll use the plugs. They are my protection of choice.
CG
http://www.instamold.com/consumer-products/custom-molded-ear-plugs/
As I recall they were $65. They're done while you wait.
I absolutely love them. The protection level is very good IMHO. They're incredibly comfortable. I really disliked the foam earplugs and stopped wearing them long ago. With the customs I can leave them in for long periods of time and they're perfectly comfortable. As an example, I'll frequently leave them in when I go downrange during a cease fire. I have no reason to take them out because they're not bugging me. (As opposed to earmuffs, which I also wear on occasion, where I do take them off because they become uncomfortable.) I also use them when I'm mowing the lawn.
The customs work well enough I sometimes miss when others are looking to call a cease fire. And more importantly, they really are not optimum if you're wanting to talk with someone. So I have good electronic earmuffs for when I need to talk while shooting. But if I'm alone or not shooting with anyone per se I'll use the plugs. They are my protection of choice.
CG
germanlongbow
Scott M Bainbridge
I had a set made by local audiologist for riding my motorcycle. Works great for shooting. Very comfortable and no clumsy head muffs. They come mild to wild depending on needs and budget
gkgeiger
Silver $$ Contributor
I’ve also had custom ear plugs for years for MC riding. In my opinion they don’t work as well as muffs. Most of my experience has been at an indoor range. I was wearing them at my Rifle club and an old timer told me that I should really be wearing muffs. Stopped using at the range
Custom ear plugs would be the best solution.
First, one must be aware that ear plugs for motorcycle riding are often illegal in some states.
Plus, under a helmet, the noise source is wind noise and for protection from this constant periodic noise you need about 20 dB attenuation. To get this, try Etymotic ER-20 ETY-PLUGS. These yield 20 dB sound suppression and also are designed for hi fidelity so sounds and voices sound normal.
These plugs are also the best addition to quality ear muffs with or without built in amplifiers.
But, back to general purpose ear plugs, that means shooting, you don't want to deprive yourself from adequate protection. Remember, the holy grail is still the yellow foamie! If you want reliable attenuation, go as the fellow above did and visit an audiologist and tell them you want a solid ear plug that extends at least to the second bend in the ear canal. They will then make an impression of both ears and order a pair of custom plugs from their favorite ear mold lab. This is more expensive than the gun show quickie plugs as the audiologist will make quality impressions and produce quality plugs that will also not stick out of the ear canal enough to cause discomfort.
First, one must be aware that ear plugs for motorcycle riding are often illegal in some states.
Plus, under a helmet, the noise source is wind noise and for protection from this constant periodic noise you need about 20 dB attenuation. To get this, try Etymotic ER-20 ETY-PLUGS. These yield 20 dB sound suppression and also are designed for hi fidelity so sounds and voices sound normal.
These plugs are also the best addition to quality ear muffs with or without built in amplifiers.
But, back to general purpose ear plugs, that means shooting, you don't want to deprive yourself from adequate protection. Remember, the holy grail is still the yellow foamie! If you want reliable attenuation, go as the fellow above did and visit an audiologist and tell them you want a solid ear plug that extends at least to the second bend in the ear canal. They will then make an impression of both ears and order a pair of custom plugs from their favorite ear mold lab. This is more expensive than the gun show quickie plugs as the audiologist will make quality impressions and produce quality plugs that will also not stick out of the ear canal enough to cause discomfort.
I used custom molded silicone plugs for a few years, bought new pairs every year from the gal who brought her trailer rig to NRA National at Camp Perry.
Seems after a few months' use either my ear canals changed shape or the plugs did. They fit but never as good as the first weeks after I had 'em made.
So now I buy a box of these every couple of years, haven't had a problem with them fitting either since I learned to take pains getting them squished down & rolled skinny enough to go in dry. 100 pair costs less than 1 pair of molded and that box lasts almost two seasons' shooting, and snow-blowering, and mowing the lawn, and sawing up wood for projects....
Seems after a few months' use either my ear canals changed shape or the plugs did. They fit but never as good as the first weeks after I had 'em made.
So now I buy a box of these every couple of years, haven't had a problem with them fitting either since I learned to take pains getting them squished down & rolled skinny enough to go in dry. 100 pair costs less than 1 pair of molded and that box lasts almost two seasons' shooting, and snow-blowering, and mowing the lawn, and sawing up wood for projects....
Not that I've run across, no. Adding muffs helps mitigate the sound waves that don't go in through your hears but can get in through your head bones.
I don't wear muffs either when I'm shooting rifles as I've never found a pair that both fit AND don't interfere with my cheek weld. Pistols - what little I still do - is a different situation.
I'm 70+, resigned to the tinnitus and hearing loss I've been diagnosed with. Probably from shooting pistols with dad when I was maybe 11 or 12, never used ear protection.
Got new hearing aids a couple years ago (be paid off next Feb.) that help with the tinnitus and can be 'tuned' for different environments on my smartphone.
Save what you have left. It never gets any better than it is right now.
rjs1230
Silver $$ Contributor
Amazon sells the kit to make your own for $9.00 and they work pretty well .
There are several people who do this, I would do ample research on him and not do more than a deposit. What happens if he had an untimely demise??? That being said, these things are reported to be the bees knees. Back in my bike riding days, I had several friends that road raced motorcycles which can cause hearing damage pretty quickly, even with good helmets. Many of them started going to these because they were so much better than mass produced ones.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Bob scarbrough’s wife makes em at matches. They are better than any other ear plugs but even with my damaged hearing they are not enough by themselves
Nancy isn't making them anymore. My dog chewed mine up last year and I tried to use the foamies but got tired of messing with them getting them to seal. I ordered a few different ones from McMaster Carr to try. I have been using one of these style. They seal good and are easy to use. They also have different sizes.
Joe Hynes
Joe Hynes
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
If i use regular plugs i have to use the roll up foam ones to work- a push in just doesnt cut it.
Good thing i have like 12 sets she made!!
Good thing i have like 12 sets she made!!
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
Your local audiologist can make them too right in the office. My company paid for them at every annual hearing test if we wanted some
LarryDScott
Site $$ Sponsor
I was told by an audiologist to use both the custom molded plugs and the muffs together. He said sound enterers through the outer part of the ear, if its uncovered, and also through your mouth if you happen to have it open when you shoot. LDS
D Coots,
In general, if a fitted plug is made properly, it should have attenuation close to 40dB. And, that is as good as it gets for hearing protection. yellow foamies can be just as good but most folks don't insert them properly and do not get safe protection. A well made solid custom plug will go past the second bend and not feel right if not inserted correctly, therefore better than a foamie.
BUT,,,, I would tell the audiologist up front that when you get them in and before you leave the office she/he must measure the attention in your ears with the new plugs. If the attenuation isn't at least 38dB, you aren't getting what you pay for.
AND for all you guys using someones sisters plugs or buys their "made on the spot" plugs, just be aware that if you buy the kit to make them your self it is VERY difficult to make a proper impression that goes all the way past the second bend of the ear canal. It is also an un-known how well that person at the show knows what they are doing. If the person making the impressions for custom plugs has a hearing aid dispensers license, he/she was tested for correctly making impressions or they don't get a license. I know this as I had to take this test even tho I did the graduate course in Audiology. I don't believe most states make a hearing aid dispensers license mandatory for also making ear plugs. So, you have no idea how good those plugs are. In addition, the plastic used for the made at the show plugs has to be a two part material and may not be stable enough to maintain the original shape. The plug a competent hearing aid dispenser/audiologist makes by first making an impression then sending the impression to a mold laboratory to make the plug out of a stable plastic that is tested for being inserted into the ear canal, while more expensive, it also maintain its shape for a long time.
It amazes me how many folks will pay $2500 to $3000 for a bench rest scope then will only use $25 to $50 hearing protection!
In general, if a fitted plug is made properly, it should have attenuation close to 40dB. And, that is as good as it gets for hearing protection. yellow foamies can be just as good but most folks don't insert them properly and do not get safe protection. A well made solid custom plug will go past the second bend and not feel right if not inserted correctly, therefore better than a foamie.
BUT,,,, I would tell the audiologist up front that when you get them in and before you leave the office she/he must measure the attention in your ears with the new plugs. If the attenuation isn't at least 38dB, you aren't getting what you pay for.
AND for all you guys using someones sisters plugs or buys their "made on the spot" plugs, just be aware that if you buy the kit to make them your self it is VERY difficult to make a proper impression that goes all the way past the second bend of the ear canal. It is also an un-known how well that person at the show knows what they are doing. If the person making the impressions for custom plugs has a hearing aid dispensers license, he/she was tested for correctly making impressions or they don't get a license. I know this as I had to take this test even tho I did the graduate course in Audiology. I don't believe most states make a hearing aid dispensers license mandatory for also making ear plugs. So, you have no idea how good those plugs are. In addition, the plastic used for the made at the show plugs has to be a two part material and may not be stable enough to maintain the original shape. The plug a competent hearing aid dispenser/audiologist makes by first making an impression then sending the impression to a mold laboratory to make the plug out of a stable plastic that is tested for being inserted into the ear canal, while more expensive, it also maintain its shape for a long time.
It amazes me how many folks will pay $2500 to $3000 for a bench rest scope then will only use $25 to $50 hearing protection!
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