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★★★★☆
The Plugfones Need Modification for Me
I originally gave this product A ONE STAR RATING but a week later found a way to make these work very well so I changed it to a FOUR STAR RATING. Neither of the Plugfones ear plugs that comes with this product worked for me. So if neither of them works for you then read on!
MOTORCYCLE APPLICATION WITH FULL FACE HELMET (extremely high noise environment)
The Plugfones comes with two types of ear plugs: 1) Tapered foam, and 2) Ribbed silicone
THE PLUGFONES TAPERED FOAM EAR PLUGS: The foam plugs ought to be the ones to use in order to provide the highest level of noise reduction. However, the foam inserts simply do not fit into my ear canal far enough to provide a "good" level of noise reduction (like traditional foam ear plugs do). They are simply too large to fit into my ear canal properly. There are many reviews here agreeing with this so I know I am not alone. The foam plugs are simply too large (when the plastic speaker inserts are inserted) to fit properly into the ear canal and thus the product is a no-go for me.
THE PLUGFONES RIBBED SILICONE EAR PLUGS: Using the silicone ribbed ear plugs I can get them to fit into my ear canals more deeply but the overall noise reduction level of this product is completely INSUFFICIENT to provide proper protection for my ears. I went out and rode for 20 minutes with them and the noise levels are simply too high and I believe it would result in permanent hearing loss if I used them long-term and thus the product is a no-go for me.
HOW I MADE THIS PRODUCT WORK FOR ME:
I have always used the standard yellow 3M tapered foam ear plugs and they fit into my ear canal very well and gives so much noise reduction I can barely hear someone talking that is standing right next to me. I can barely hear them talking - but I cannot understand anything they are saying. Very good protection. And I was able to find a way to modify them to work! :-)
HOW TO MODIFY 3M TAPERED FOAM EAR PLUGS (SEE ATTACHED PHOTO):
I drilled out my ear plugs so the Plugfone base part will easily insert into my ear 3M tapered foam plugs and they work beautifully! However, you CAN'T drill the foam ear plugs at room temperature! You have to freeze them before you can successfully drill them out. I used a 7/64" drill bit and drilled about 1/2" deep into the 3M foam ear plug. See photos.
November 2016 · Electronics · verified purchase