Karl S

I've noticed a lot of pro drivers from F1 on down to ALMS have some nice ear protectors that seem to fit into the ear much better than those cheap foam things that you can buy at some race tracks for spectators.

Does anyone have source for these ear protectors or do they have to be custom made by a doctor?

Karl

PMS993

Generally, the ear plugs that you see in most professional driver's ears are custom molded and wired into their communication systems. Places like "Trackside Electronics" and "Racing Electronics" can work the custom molding. My system has just the foam inserts and they don't do as good a job at canceling the car noise. The tradeoff is that they are not cheap. However, I will switch to the molded products in the near future.

Bryan Watts

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Karl S:
<strong>Does anyone have source for these ear protectors or do they have to be custom made by a doctor?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Like PMS said, they are wired for the communications and plug into the helmet, which in turn plugs into the radio harness. However, I'd be willing to bet that the radio companies would make a pair without the communications equipment wired in. Your best bet might be to go to a local SCCA National or some sort of Pro event and check with the radio guy in the paddock...one of the companies will usually have a trailer setup. They can "shoot" the mold in the paddock and have them to you in a couple weeks.

Greg Fishman

Karl,

I had some plugs made by a local audiologist. They are not set up for use with a radio though. They cost about $40 if I remember correctly. He made them in his office and I had then in 10-15 minutes.

Check out this site if you want ones with radio capabilities:

<a href="http://www.sampsoncommunications.com" target="_blank">www.sampsoncommunications.com</a>

Karl S

Thanks, guys. I haven't advanced to having a pit crew yet but my car is wired for a radio, so I'll check out the prewired ones so I will be "future-proof".

Karl

Kerry

I've used both the custom molded and the foam while shooting. The foam do a better job for me, but you can't wire them <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . The type of foam is very important as some (like EAR) are very hard, uncomfortable and don't block sound well. I've settled on the MAX plugs and get them from Dillon Precision.
<a href="http://dillonprecision.com" target="_blank">http://dillonprecision.com</a>

pig4bill

BTW, using ear plugs alone is a bad idea for shooting. There's a bone behind you ear in your skull that transmits damaging sound to your ears. You should be wearing muffs too.

Kerry

Yes, we always used both.