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Ok, don't judge!

I have a habit of re-using ear plugs (mainly cos I usually only have the one pair at any one time), the soft-foam disposable type. Generally wear them for a week(ish) then chuck them when they stop re-expanding properly, or I've dropped them in a pile of something on the floor.

So, how often should I be chucking them before risking an ear infection?

I have a set of moulded plugs that allow certain frequency's though, voice's apparently, ( designed that way ).
They were designed for working in engine rooms & have used them for 5 years.
seems to be ok.

Ear plugs are one of they things I keep meaning to buy... But always forget!

I do the same, use for about a week or until they look skanky or stop shaping easily. I've been doing that for a few years now without issue.

One thing I have done in the past is wash them under some cold water to remove any earwax, came up looking good and didn't adversely affect them in any way.

I commute to work every day so going through a pair a day seems exessive.

if you were sharing them, then there could be a possible cross infection risk - but unlikely

personally, wear till they look skanky or do not return to shape properly

i would not wash them

oh - one thing - WEAR THEM

applies to any one who travels at over 30mp with a helmet on - after five minutes you have hearing damage

I'm going to order some today.... Seeing as we're on the subject and whilst I remember.

Cathcart wrote:I'm going to order some today.... Seeing as we're on the subject and whilst I remember.

Before you do, have a look at these. Good value, & high performance, for a disposable plug. Originally brought to my attention on here by ? GrgD? Mangocrazy? - can't remember now

http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/aearo-earso ... pai-p31163

I'd already ordered 50 pairs of generic orange ones before I seen your post. Nr 37... No idea what it means but I assume they reduce noise by 37db on average.

have to admit i very rarely wear ear plugs i know i should do but i just dont seam to i suppose i am just being lazy which is silly as i dont ride the bike unless i have all my gear on jacket, trousers, boots, gloves and helmet and ear plugs are just as important when you consider that the clothing is there to protect when you come off and the ear plugs are protecting you all the time when riding.

Out of curiosity, can you still use rider to rider kit that has helmet speakers when using earplugs?

The problem with earplugs is that I can't listen to music as I ride, which sucks.

And headphones suck as keeping other noises out.

Dale

Cathcart wrote:I'd already ordered 50 pairs of generic orange ones before I seen your post. Nr 37... No idea what it means but I assume they reduce noise by 37db on average.

Yes
NRR 37 is a noise reduction rating of -37dB. so assuming your bike and the noise from riding it is at say 130dB then you're now in a slightly better place.. (the higher the NRR number the better..) and 93dB is still a bit on the high side

You want to aim to reduce it to 70-90dB and avoid prolonged exposure to that level

The yellow E.A.R ear plugs are the very base anyone should be going for.. they come in at about 26dB reduction - I can get these by the hundreds if anyone wants some, but ideally you want to go for a moulded ear plug with a much higher NRR figure.

I was a Joint Service Noise Assessor at one stage of my career however it was a wasted course as nobody gives a stuff as they can't see it.
(My hearing was already fucked before then though from service in the 80's as a youngster)

Oh and it cannot be repaired. once youve fucked your hearing... it's fucked. that's it.

Oh and racal who do the Army moulded earplugs do have an option for Ipod fittings..

http://www.esterline.com/communications ... stics.aspx

Expensive mind.. but worth it

i wear ear plugs with my starcom system and i listen to music etc from my garmin zumo - so it can be done

I work in an industry that uses ear plugs everyday. So I get them from work. It is drummed into us by the medics offshore that:-
a) you have to wear them in areas where you "have to raise your voice to heard" (although its just advice.other areas are mandatory ear protection)
b) DON'T use them twice as " cross contamination"(left to right) can cause ear infections.

Having had an ear infection last year, I don't use the plugs more than once anymore, (touch wood) I won't get another ear infection.