New earphones - game changer

[Hairsy]

After years of contemplating it, I recently decided to get some custom moulded earphones. I got them from Ultimate Ears.

 

I've just been out for a couple of hours and they are truly a game changer. I use a Cardo with their JBL 40mm speakers which I thought were OK. However, volume would be at max and at motorway speeds the wind noise was the dominant sound. I couldn't hold a conversation over phone or intercom above 60 mph. After an hour or so, my iPhone would declare that my listening levels were damaging my ears and it would turn the volume down. Which didn't help at all because the wind noise would still be there!

 

These new earphones are like night and day. I put them in, connected them and set the volume on my Cardo to around 25%. I then rode around for a couple of hours on lots of different roads, including an open motorway into a fairly stiff headwind. And I left my volume on 25%. It's a joy. I'm aware that there's some wind around me but it has no effect whatsoever on the listening. Although motorways are never much fun, they're now entirely bearable without any intrusive wind noise.

 

I found an app for my phone ('Hear Boost') that allows ambient sound to be put through the Cardo so I was able to speak to the person serving me at the petrol station without removing my modular helmet. Without that app I would have had to take the earphones out because the sound isolation is so good.

 

They do feel a little uncomfortable initially as the fit is fairly intrusive - but they're already starting to feel better and a friend who has them said he went through the same thing but very quickly he stopped noticing them.

 

I did a search for a 'First Order' discount for Ultimate Ears which was easy to find. The cost was then around £160 for the earphones plus £30 to have the moulds created locally. When you order, Ultimate Ears will find a local specialist and set up the appointment. They take about 3 weeks to manufacture - they do offer a faster manufacturing service but it costs more so I just waited.

 

Highly recommended.

Edited October 24, 2024 by Hairsy

[Simon Davey]

Thanks for sharing, they seem ideal. 

Have to say, I've noticed more of a drain on the Cardo battery since using ear plugs. 

[veracocha]

2 hours ago, Hairsy said:

After years of contemplating it, I recently decided to get some custom moulded earphones. I got them from Ultimate Ears.

 

You don't have a link handy do you?

[Hairsy]

2 minutes ago, veracocha said:

You don't have a link handy do you?

 

No problem : https://ultimateear.com/product/soundear-motorcycle-custom-ear-plug/

 

These are the ones I went for. As I mentioned, do a little Google and you'll probably find an introductory discount code. 

[Stu]

Was you wearing earplugs before you ordered these? if so which ones? 

[Fish]

Been using Ultimate Ears for years, started with shooting (clays) then a set of gummies for room sharing on ski trips. Then I got on a bike and used those same gummies and work fine. Certainly know the difference between these molded, foam and nothing.

[Mawsley]

Bought a box of rhubarb and custard earplugs for a tenner in 2010ish, and they’re still going strong.

[Hairsy]

18 hours ago, Stu said:

Was you wearing earplugs before you ordered these? if so which ones? 

Yes, until now I was wearing Alpine Motosafe Race earplugs. They're OK, and did a decent job but what I've learned is that custom moulded is off the scale better.

 

It's a bit like when I first went to a 125 from my 50. It was SO fast. And then I rode my first 600. And then I rode your first litre bike. What you have can be great - until you actually experience the next level. And with protection of hearing, I'm glad I didn't leave it too late.

 

I also play bass and spend a lot of time standing next to a very noisy drum kit. I'm going to try the UltimateEars to replace my current In Ear Monitors and I suspect they'll be equally transformational.

[Stu]

2 hours ago, Hairsy said:

Yes, until now I was wearing Alpine Motosafe Race earplugs. They're OK, and did a decent job but what I've learned is that custom moulded is off the scale better.

 

It's a bit like when I first went to a 125 from my 50. It was SO fast. And then I rode my first 600. And then I rode your first litre bike. What you have can be great - until you actually experience the next level. And with protection of hearing, I'm glad I didn't leave it too late.

 

I also play bass and spend a lot of time standing next to a very noisy drum kit. I'm going to try the UltimateEars to replace my current In Ear Monitors and I suspect they'll be equally transformational.

 

Sorry I should have said! I have used custom plugs for the last 5 years  

 

I was just wondering what earplugs if any you had used before and what you thought to the difference 

 

I used to use 3M Neons and they was awesome for noise isolation but not so great on comfort on long days 6 hours plus of riding which is usually every ride for me 

 

I have the Mercury earplugs and got them from the NEC show. This year at the show I am intending on getting some with built in speakers as due to health issues a few years ago I have lost a certain amount of hearing and I am struggling sometimes to hear people on the cardo 

[Yorky]

Just a pointer on the plugs with built in speakers.

I bought a pair from Ultimate, built in speakers, bluetooth.

Now the speaker bit works fine, BUT, the microphone, so you can take calls, speak to pillion/others, is useless because it ends up hanging around your throat region. I'm afraid for me they were an expensive mistake which now languish in a cupboard, prior to be binned, no doubt, in a few years time.

[Blackholesun]

Whenever I use ear buds I can't get the helmet off without leaving half the bud in my ear 

[Stu]

1 hour ago, Yorky said:

Just a pointer on the plugs with built in speakers.

I bought a pair from Ultimate, built in speakers, bluetooth.

Now the speaker bit works fine, BUT, the microphone, so you can take calls, speak to pillion/others, is useless because it ends up hanging around your throat region. I'm afraid for me they were an expensive mistake which now languish in a cupboard, prior to be binned, no doubt, in a few years time.

 

That's only an issue with the Bluetooth ones with the microphone as if you have a cardo headset it just replaces the speakers and plugs in to a 3.5mm socket.

 

The cardo uses the original microphone. 

 

Is there no way you can strap the microphone in to the helmet? A couple of bits of tape or velcro would work 

[Yorky]

1 hour ago, Stu said:

Is there no way you can strap the microphone in to the helmet? A couple of bits of tape or velcro would work 

 

No Stu, tried that but just too much arsing around each time you put on / take off the helmet.

[Hairsy]

As Stu says, I'm just using the wired version. This replaces the Cardo speakers but retains the Cardo mic.

[Yorky]

3 hours ago, Hairsy said:

As Stu says, I'm just using the wired version. This replaces the Cardo speakers but retains the Cardo mic.

Yes, that sounds like a good solution.

[Working Class Hero]

By any chance, has anyone used more than one manufacturer's custom ear plugs?

I have a pair from Custom Fit Guards and they were great, but after about a month, it kept losing the seal in my right ear making it useless. Not sure if it's the manufacturing or the mould or just pot luck with my ear anatomy, but their customer service just insisted that I was not putting them in correctly, so I just gave up with it.

[Pie man]

Why not visit your local audiologist. I went to my local Amplifon audiologist were they used microsuction to clear any wax and then took impressions, they also have a large selection of custom fit hearing protection. 

[Hairsy]

17 hours ago, Working Class Hero said:

By any chance, has anyone used more than one manufacturer's custom ear plugs?

I have a pair from Custom Fit Guards and they were great, but after about a month, it kept losing the seal in my right ear making it useless. Not sure if it's the manufacturing or the mould or just pot luck with my ear anatomy, but their customer service just insisted that I was not putting them in correctly, so I just gave up with it.

I’m afraid I don’t have experience of different manufacturers.

 

However, I was given advice relating to your problem by a long term user - always ensure that the plugs are lubed when putting them in. The seal is dependent on the skin inside the ear ‘settling’ onto the silicone of the plug. Mine came with a little tube of lube which does the job well but is a faff.

 

The recommended solution sounds gross but it works … give the plugs a bit of a suck and put a wet finger in your ear before you fit them. This helps them slide in nicely and gives a good seal.

 

I find this works really well but, as a result, my additional step is that I keep some wet wipes next to where I store the plugs so that they can be cleaned after every use.

[Working Class Hero]

13 minutes ago, Hairsy said:

I’m afraid I don’t have experience of different manufacturers.

 

However, I was given advice relating to your problem by a long term user - always ensure that the plugs are lubed when putting them in. The seal is dependent on the skin inside the ear ‘settling’ onto the silicone of the plug. Mine came with a little tube of lube which does the job well but is a faff.

 

The recommended solution sounds gross but it works … give the plugs a bit of a suck and put a wet finger in your ear before you fit them. This helps them slide in nicely and gives a good seal.

 

I find this works really well but, as a result, my additional step is that I keep some wet wipes next to where I store the plugs so that they can be cleaned after every use.

 

I do use the lube that came with it, but it still happens. I'm considering trying a different brand, but it's quite a punt to take considering the cost....

[Hairsy]

Just now, Working Class Hero said:

 

I do use the lube that came with it, but it still happens. I'm considering trying a different brand, but it's quite a punt to take considering the cost....

That does sound as though they’re no longer fitting you. As you say, the cost hurts. 
 

First though, I’d suggest going in a bit heavier with the supplier. They’re an expensive product that is there to do a very specific job that it’s not doing. Classic ‘not fit for purpose’. They should be helping you solve the problem after only a month.

[bonio]

I'd agree with that. The supplier is responsible for ensuring they fit properly. You might have to find ways of being "more persuasive with them".  My argument would be that if they are so difficult to put in correctly that I get it wrong every single time, then they are clwlearly not fit for purpose.

 

If all else fails, and if you paid by credit card, consider a charge back. Use email when contacting customer services, so you have the evidence that you've tried to get the refund from the suppliers and they've refused.

[Working Class Hero]

Unfortunately, due to my own stupidity, it's been too long since I bought it now. I got it 3/4 years ago now and when it stopped working I just chucked it in a drawer (after trying to get advice from CFG). I've gone back to "normal" plugs since, but I still prefer the FIT of the custom ones. If only it worked...

 

I should have been more forceful with them though 

[bonio]

I've done the same myself often enough. Sometimes it's too much effort, and it's not nice having to act like a nob.

[onesea]

Not moored but figured I should get some plugs, thinking non fitted but should let intercom work through them without breaking the bank…

 

I see plenty on Amazon any suggestions, if I find I wear them and don’t loose them to easily I may well go for moulded. 
 

one step at a time.

[RideWithStyles]

On 30/10/2024 at 08:09, Hairsy said:

I’m afraid I don’t have experience of different manufacturers.

 

However, I was given advice relating to your problem by a long term user - always ensure that the plugs are lubed when putting them in. The seal is dependent on the skin inside the ear ‘settling’ onto the silicone of the plug. Mine came with a little tube of lube which does the job well but is a faff.

 

The recommended solution sounds gross but it works … give the plugs a bit of a suck and put a wet finger in your ear before you fit them. This helps them slide in nicely and gives a good seal.

 

I find this works really well but, as a result, my additional step is that I keep some wet wipes next to where I store the plugs so that they can be cleaned after every use.

That is terrible and mank at best! You’re inserting pretty much the second most  bacteria infested part of your body (gut/stomach is the most) bacteria into your ear that doesn’t want it !!! Hence ear wax.

Might aswell stick it up your arse first wthan your mouth, use water or light olive oil as its a good safe lube.
(tap is ok, even puddle water would be better chance your mouth).

Edited November 15, 2024 by RideWithStyles