JeffS

I'm trying to get an idea what everyone's preference would be for ear protection:

Foam - uncorded - NRR 30 to 33 range - $0.20 a set - disposable


Foam - corded - NRR 30 to 33 range - $0.40 a set - disposable


Foam - uncorded with case - NRR 30 - $0.30 a set - disposable


Rubber - uncorded with case - NRR 27 - reusable - $1.00 per set


Rubber - corded with case - NRR 27 - reusable - $1.00 per set


Foam - corded with case - NRR 26 - reusable - $0.50 per set


There are other options, but you get the idea. Some of the options are:
- foam vs rubber - foam reduces sound better
- disposable vs reusable - disposable is cheaper and reduces sound better
- corded vs not - would you want a cord inside your helmet?
- case vs. not - could you keep up with them (and keep them clean) without it?
- many of the rubber plugs tend to have a stem on them which might not work with a helmet

Please take price into consideration, and not just what you like best. Five sets of disposables could be better than one reusable set that you lose on the first weekend. Also, appearance is subject to change so don't make your choice because they match your driving suit.

Thanks.

[edit]The higher the NRR is, the more effective it is at reducing noise




[Modified by JeffS, 4:25 PM 3/31/2003]

Warren

Foam disposable for me. I couldn't keep something even if it was surgically attached to me.

Warren

SJR

recently (and as yet untested): custom fit corded, reusable (goddam I hope so!) NRR 29dB, some kind of silicone/polyurethane kind of material. $175. Ouch.

sackdz

Rubber-Corded is the way to go.

Having a job where you have to take earplugs on and off a lot makes this decision easy. ******* around with rolling up foam ones and setting them up right in your ear is a hassle, and they get really nasty after you use them even once, and pick up all sorts of crap if you put them in your pocket. The rubber ones can be reused easily, don't pick up as much junk inside your ear, outside your ear, and can be cleaned.




[Modified by sackdz, 4:55 PM 3/31/2003]

RStoR

Jeff- Shoot Pat an IM (Splat) about this. His GF is graduating with her Masters in Hearing (non-official term). She knows all about this. Think she can even test the dB of your car and tell you how bad it is. She did that at the dyno once.

Track rat

I use foam, corded and use fresh ones every other event.

Foam = comfort, quiet, but can still hear my motor and the guy next to me locking up his tires!
Cord = easy removal and easy to keep up with, hard to misplace one!


[Modified by Track rat, 10:19 PM 3/31/2003]

JeffS

72 views and 5 votes eh? I thought I was going to try to help everyone out, but I guess noone cares.

travis

I use the foam corded disposable plugs. I can get these free at work because of the helicopters, but I think that's what I'd buy anyway. I like the cord since I can just toss them over the mirror in between sessions and I never misplace them. Plus it's rare for both of them to fall out at the same time, so if one falls out it's still attached to my head.

Gansan

For me, the blue rubber corded ones really hurt when I stick them in my ears, so I don't like them. Also, the cord is just stuck into the end, so it's easy to pull the cord out by accident. The orange corded ones work pretty good, but they are not comfortable either, and after a certain number of uses, one developed a rip in it that let in the screaming engine sounds during a race. Not very durable.

I bought some foam ones that I'll try next time. Maybe they will do the trick.

RacerBowie

Foam corded disposable.

Don't be like me and think for years that you don't need protection. I am 25 and my left ear has noticable hearing loss.

Track rat

Don't be like Bowie, 25 and 1/2 of his brain cells are gone too.

4WDrift

Foam plugs are fine, even wadded tissue helps, I use that at clubs. Anything to dampen the mid/high frequencies to the eardrum by 20+ dB is good.

RacerBowie

Just 1/2?

Track rat

The 1/2 we have left is focused squarely racing!

celica73

Good topic...

One problem I have with the basic foam plugs is that you need to roll them between your fingers before putting them in. I realize that I'm not the cleanest person out there (in so many ways...), but it's pretty easy to imagine having dirty enough fingers that you don't want what's on them to get into your ear. Imagine this... you just finished bleeding the brakes, topping off the oil and changing a tire, and your run group is gridding, you either A) miss a lap or two (or worse) because you are washing up so you can roll and insert the ear plugs, or B) you do it with dirty fingers.

Well, if "B" is the option, then I suspect those purple re-usable parts with little finger grips are the ticket.

Scott

Splat

I'll get Bef to post her opinions/thoughts later tonight. She's almost done with her master's degree in audiology (hearing, like Chris said). Hopefully, after her CFY she can open a clinic and we'll get to peddle her skills track-side

RacerBowie

Or focused on paying off past racing debt!

Being completely serious, I resisted ear plugs for years because "my car isn't that loud" or "I like being able to hear what is going on" or "it isn't bothering me"

Last season, when I made the "mistake" of complaining about my left ear losing some hearing in earshot of my girlfriend, I was faced with the "use ear plugs, or no more sex EVER" decision. Quite an easy one to make, and I marched up the hill to the trackside sales people and got a set of foam ones, no cord. (he actually gave them to me no charge)

Lost those fairly quickly and went to the corded type, I hang them over the rearview in the racecar between sessions so I can't forget them. Once i got used to them, I find it is one more step in my mental preparation needed to drive well...if i don't have them, it feels like something is missing and I am not prepared to drive my best.

YMMV.

BenMara

Peltor President from gun case and some earplugs wit tye

REFLUX

having never road raced/autox'd before ('03 will be my first season)
what is it like? even in stock classes, are roadracing/autoxing conditions loud enough to need ear plugs?

Warren

You really only need them if you're around uncorked cars, which are cars with little to no exhaust and make insane amounts of noise.

Warren

usuck

i use disposable foam plugs at work. keep some in a little bag or something so they don't get dirty.