Custom ear plugs

[MarkHK]

I decided recently to get custom ear plugs. Disposables never seemed to work so well for me, and selection here in Hong Kong is limited. So I opted to fork out for custom plugs made at my local audiologist.

I get a great seal when I first jam them in, but donning my helmet always causes that seal to break. Even if they dislodge only very slightly, it seems the sound protection is lost almost entirely. Sometimes the sound is worse with a dislodged ear plug than with none at all.

First of all I try to avoid folding the upper ear as I pull the helmet on (Suomy Vandal). But once it's on, the plugs still dislodge slightly. I am pretty sure it's because the helmet padding presses gently against my ear lobes. But surely that is the case for everybody else, and I don't see anyone else complaining of the same thing.

I plan to go back to the audiologist AGAIN (I don't think any here in HK have experience with m/c helmets) but, before I do, any thoughts? I'm thinking next time we should press my earlobes while taking the mould/impression so it replicates the ear position inside the helmet. Or maybe use lots of vaseline?

Just wondering if anyone else has had issues with custom ear plugs and what you did to correct them. Thanks.

[stopintime]

I had the same experience and I think it's mostly due to the helmet pushing on ears/plugs.
The 'handles' on mine were grinded down and it helped, but not perfect.

Maybe try to apply a little moisture (spit) to get them to seat better - that always help me with my 'mushroom' re-usables. 

[seevtsaab]

Would it help to put your helmet on while the molds are setting? How long does that process take?

[Triple J]

My custom plugs are fantastic. It took a while to learn how to install them correctly to solve the problem you're talking about. Sometimes I thought they were in right when they weren't seated just proper. Never happens now though. 

[IdZer0]

I have the same problem, in my case I think it's due to my jaw being pushed by the helmet as I think my jaw isn't 100% in the center.
I usualy make the earplugs wet before I put them in and it helps to seal it off.
I've tried to put my jaw in different positions while they make the mold and it has improved, but not completely resolved.
I'm thinking next time to put my helmet on.

[Travman]

I'm a hearing aid specialist and make custom earplugs at work. I made a pair for myself a few years ago. I had to send them back to the lab to get the fit perfect. Most earmold labs won't charge anything for a re-make. They want you to be happy. Mine needed to be a little snugger to make a perfect fit. I do need to moisten them to get them in. The moisture improves the seal too. We have products to lube hearing aids and earmolds, but most people just use spit.

What material are your molds made out of?  Are they hard like plastic or are they soft like silicone?  They should be soft molds.  Also I'm worried about your helmet. It really shouldn't be pressing on you ear that hard. 

[MarkHK]

They're soft silicone. The spit thing has improved the seal but 1 in 5 times, so still not a permanent solution. Also vaseline doesn't solve it. I am inserting them correctly - i get a great seal when not wearing a helmet. I think I'll try wearing the helmet while taking the mould. Will be seeing a couple more audiologists to see what experience they have with bike riders. Might have a throw a bit more money at new plugs to try develop a workable solution. But it is true that the audiologists are happy to repeat a couple of times FOC (within a month). Will see.

[Armor]

I have the same problem and have gone back to foam ear plugs.

[ab]

My custom ear plug with musicians filter (cant remember name) made at an audiologist office started falling off in my helmet.  I lost one as it fell when I was taking off my helmet and it fell into some thick grass and couldn't find it.  That was $150 down the drain.  I still have 1plug left and use it but it's loose.

I now use disposable one that is working out pretty good so far. It's called molodex - pure-fit - NRA 33. 6800

http://www.moldex.com/hearing-protection/foam-earplugs/pura-fit.php

[He Man]

theres several shapes but the howard leight ones with a flair end are my favorite, they are hard to get a good fit after a few uses though.