JayG

I just turn my hearing aids off LOL

BTW, active noise canceling just reduces the effective sound you hear, not the actual sound pressure level
it is also somewhat frequency specific. It works by generating an out of phase signal at the same frequency as the noise it picks up
(simplified explanation)

Sawborg

I've used a variety of them. I like the custom fit of the Radians but the comfort of the NoNoise ear plugs. Both work great and use both, depending on what I'm doing (karting, motorcycling, track driving, etc).

fatbillybob

FYI Stillo helmets have earcups that can be either radio or earmuffs. I got the muffs and they don't work IMO. I still use ear plugs.

Difool

I had just decided to get some over-ear inserts for my helmet, to be able to take future coms, but also to cut down the noise a bit. Looks like they didn't do much ^^^ for one user. Can anyone else comment on them?

Foam ear plugs were a bit too much for me, but passing WOT SPBs hurts!

dan212

Wearing proper hearing protection is a bit disconcerting at first. You will get used to it

There is a big gap between what you think is only loud and what causes pain: that gap is still enough to cause permanent damage. Check OSHA stats.

https://www.creighton.edu/fileadmin/...protection.pdf

The SPB's are loud. Wait till someone goes by with open pipes.

ir_fuel

It's a matter of habit.

You can also concentrate a lot better when you have less noise hammering your brain.

GT3DE

Have the muffled helmet. Inside helmet looks like ear muffs. When put on helmet I cannot understand anything anyone says to me. This thing works amazingly. Cannot heat car at idle. When I race I use radio ear plugs and don't have to turn it all the way up to hear spotter.

HoBoJoe

One of my friends uses a helmet that supports the ear cups, his experience seems to be more like Clarke's. However, my helmet does not support ear cups.

hf1

They work great and are so comfy that I often left them in my ears even when not driving. LRP paddocks can be loud on unmuffled days/races. Recommended.

mlct

Like these guys

https://www.etymotic.com/consumer/he...er20xs-ms.html

redracer

I used custom ear plugs and I have ear cups in my helmet. When using both, sound is pretty much muffled out but like Clarke, I can't hear anyone trying to talk to me.

When racing, I have custom ear buds and I don't have to turn the volume on my radio up.

True about using spit or water--even sweat that comes from racing can lead to an inner ear infection. There's a "lubricant" made specially for this type of application. It came with my last set of ear plugs.

redracer

Clarke, what make/model helmet do you have (with the ear cups)? I need a new 2015 helmet and was considering the Stilo model with ear cups.

linzman

I just used my Roux helmet with ear cups for the first time this past weekend. The sound was great.

LuigiVampa

My experience with a Stilo helmet is different. When I used a Bell helmet I needed to use the squishy ear plugs. With a Stilo my hearing is protected.

It might have to do with proper fitment?

mkaunitz

As someone who has hearing loss from high volume music I can tell you that you want to protect your ears before there is an issue.

Go with custom molded there are a bunch of options out there. Mine block 25db but I can still hear engine and tire noise without issue. It does take a little getting used to as you retune your mind for the quieter environment but it will actually improve your ability to focus. Numerous studies bear this out

The other added bonus for me is that when I instruct I can have the communicator volume at reasonable levels which was never the case when using the regular ear pieces