Foam Ear plugs

Foam earplug manufacturers are a dime a dozen, I have experimented with many brands, both inexpensive and expensive. Although price is not the ultimate quality factor, you tend to get what you pay for regarding foam earplugs.

How foam earplugs work:
Material- pliable foam
Wax coating to slow foam rebound when crushed and rolled tight.
Once inserted, the foam slowly expands filling the ear canal void.

Differences in brands
The less expensive brands tend to use foam much stiffer and abrasive. The stiff foam is abrasive to the skin of the ear canal. Placing and removing cheap foam plugs tend to cause micro-scratches to the delicate skin in your ears.
The stiffer foam rebounds with more force. The extra force or pressure on the ear canal will create pain and headaches.
Wax coating; Less expensive plugs have less wax coating. When the wax wears away there’s nothing to inhibit the rebound of the compressed foam plug thus making it difficult if not impossible to insert the compressed plug into the ear canal.

Silicone vs foam
Hands down you will get a far greater individualized fit from foam and a higher NRR (Noise Reduction Rating).
Silicone plugs are designed with a series of fins that create the barrier. Lower NRR is due to fins of a millimeter or less compared to 1/2 inch of foam material.
Silicone plugs tend to dislodge from perspiration. Nothing worse than a plug slipping out of your ear at high speed or with heavy winds.

But with earplugs the price difference is relative.
Howard Leight by Honeywell sells 200 pr for $26.95 (Amazon)
Generic brands sell 200 pr for $15.19
Even though the price is almost double you’re still talking about an $11 difference.

Honorable mention
PLUGFONES
These are foam earplugs with a wired speaker system built in. They come with a standard 3-foot cord and 8mm jack. They are stereo and fit well.
The downside is NRR rating is 29 to 27 dB, depending on which tip used

Howard Leight by Honeywell Laser Lite High Visibility Disposable Foam Earplugs, Pink/Yellow , 200-Pairs (LL-1) - 3301105 Howard, lists an NRR dB of 32

NRR means: Noise Reduction Rating

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) is a unit of measurement used to determine the effectiveness of hearing protection devices in reducing sound exposure in decibels. It ranges from 0 to approximately 30, with higher values indicating greater amounts of noise reduction. The higher the NRR the more effective at reducing noise NRR is one of the principal factors users look for when hunting for Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs). Sound is measured in decibels, and the higher the decibel level, the louder the noise.

Experts determine the level of wind noise reaching your ears while motorcycling at hwy speeds of 65 mph can be anywhere from 103 to 116 dB, Obviously, there are a number of factors such as the amount of wind, how fast you are riding, type of windshield if any.

How does NRR change decibels of exposure?
When hearing protection is worn, your level of exposure to noise is based on the NRR rating of the protection device being used. Keep in mind, that the hearing protector being used does not reduce the surrounding decibel level by the exact number of NRR listed by the manufacturer’s device.
To determine the actual amount of decibel reduction, take the NRR number (in dB), subtract seven, and then divide by two.
103 dB noise environment (32-7) / 2= 12.5 dB reduction 103-12.5= 90.5 dB
At 116 dB that equates to 103.5
All of this is predicated on wearing the hearing protection perfectly.
If we compare this to the OSHA Noise Exposures chart we’ve got anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours before permanent hearing loss
What is considered excessive noise?
Excessive noise is generally defined as exposure to noise of 85 dB or higher over an 8-hour period. According to OSHA, hearing protection is required for all employees at this degree of exposure. This OSHA Action Level, however, will vary depending upon the decibel level of the surrounding environment. For example, if a worker is exposed to 100dB in a 2-hour period, he or she is also required to wear hearing protection.
For a better grasp of industry standards, here are a few of the most common noise level producers that OSHA considers dangerous: lawnmowers, rock concerts, firearms, firecrackers, headset listening systems, motorcycles, tractors, power tools, and industrial machinery. The use of hearing protection is strongly recommended during continued exposure to any of the previously listed environments, as all can deliver sounds in excess of 90 decibels.

Wind noise is a big threat to the hearing of the riders. 1 hour at Hwy speeds (103-116 dB) with unprotected hearing can cause permanent hearing loss. OSHA study found a motorcycle ride at 63 miles per hour sound levels range between 103 dB and 116 dB.

Motopro EARPEACE    • Motopro earplugs. Do they block wind noise??