Product Review: 3M E-A-R Ultrafit corded Earplugs

Recently with the HJC helmet the sound in the helmet is totally different from the ones I am used to with the X-Dot 3/4 helmet. In the X-Dot helmet I have the whistling sound which can mainly  be eliminated when I put the visor down. The sound on the HJC is a different kind of wind noise. I can reduce it with the chin curtain installed but that would fog up the visor instead. This sound is made worse when on the Vulcan because the windshield directs the wind up to the head.

This got me researching on earplugs and end up with so many questions: Which are better for motorcycles, which are easier to fit in, are they reusable, which type is better. If possible I do not want the foam earplugs where you have to roll them up before inserting into your ears. I always have this fear of putting it too deep in and will need a trip to the ER to get it out.

If you are wondering about the benefits or how wind sound can damage your ear, head over RideWell and Motorcycle Paradise for more information.

As for as I know the highest earplugs NRR (Noise Reduced Rating) is 33dB. This will reduce most of the ambient sound which is very dangerous to a motorcyclist as you will not be able to hear any sirens, the traffic around you and and most importantly.....the lovely sound of the motorcycle. It also makes it harder to have a proper conversation with either your pillion, riding buddies, when asking for directions or anyone on the other side of the phone (through bluetooth of course).

After some 'research' I did not want earplugs with a too high NRR and also found out that motorcycle specific ear plugs such as Pinlock has the NRR rating of 24dB and Alpine MotoSafe Tour has the NRR rating of 14.6-19dB. Both have been used and reviewed by SGBikerBoy. Review can be found here and here.

There are also some requirements which needs to be met:

1. Casing
2. Washable
3. Reuseable
4. Corded
5. NRR between 14.6-24dB

Went to look around and manage to find 3 shops which sells earplugs:

1. Travis Hegel / National Geographic: Sells the Matador earplugs with NRR 32dB. 
2. Daiso: Has no NRR on the package but I assume it will be about 32dB.
3. Guardian: Sells the 3M Ultrafit Corded Earplugs with NRR 25dB and the 3M Taperfit 2 Uncorded Earplugs with NRR of 32dB.

All has a carrying case except for the 3M Taperfit 2 so that automatically gets disqualified. With all the requirements to meet, you can by now guess which earplugs I went for. That's right, the 3M Ultrafit Corded Earplugs.

Information from the 3M website: "The 3M™ E-A-R™ UltraFit™ Corded Earplugs feature a “no-roll”, triple-flange design that provides quick, clean, and comfortable hearing protection. Simply hold the stem and push the earplug into the ear. The tip stays clean even if hands are dirty or gloves are worn. The soft polymer earplugs are washable and reusable so they don’t need to be replaced as often, reducing waste and lowering costs.

These soft polymer earplugs have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 25 dB and are test compatible with the 3M™ E-A-Rfit™ Validation System....Hearing loss due to noise is almost entirely preventable by judicious use of hearing protection."

Text and image from 3M website.

Conclusion: I have yet to test the earplugs on the Vulcan but tested it with the Demak. The sound is significantly lesser while riding and I can still hear the traffic, make conversations and the sound of horns and the motorcycle.

I did try a few times without earplugs while riding and I noticed the difference in sound level and the wind noise in the helmet. With them on, it is a lot quieter and more peaceful. It is always better to wear ear plugs and save your hearing than losing it for good.

Better safe than sorry !!

*Update 11/7/19: I have done a minor modification to the earplugs. They sometimes cause a bit pain when in the ears due to the stem. What I did was trimmed the stem shorter and it solves the issue.

 

The cord can be removed. Just give it a tug and it will come out from the earplug

 

 

 

 

 

The total length of the stem trimmed off

 

The difference between the original (right) and modified (left) stem

 

*Update 07/08/19: Recently I have been feeling that the ear plugs are a bit loose and it doesn't seal as tightly as it used to. Did some reading and found out that it is best to replace them about every 4 months. I have been using it for 8 months. Compared to the new plugs, the silicon on the older ones are harder. To make things easier to remember, I will replace the plugs every 6 months.

 

*Update 08/01/21: I have been using these earplugs for sometime and all I can say is that not all are the same. It depends on your luck and the manufacturing batch. So far I have been using it for long tours and short half day trips. The longest I have used is during the Segari Turtle Sanctuary which was 7 hours long and there was no discomfort in the ear.

Remember to ride safe, be vigilant and keep the rubber side down