Post by: Brick on May 09, 2017, 01:25:49 PM
Hearing loss is not just a matter of more volume. In fact my wife's hearing loss is called a reverse loss in that she has lost low frequencies where my loss is the high frequencies. Most have the loss that I have. So while I may hear that someone is talking it's often hard to understand what is said. We have been experimenting with the Sena settings, speaker location and different microphones but no real change.
I'm wondering if earbuds would help me? I noticed that Norm Kern wears earbuds with his Sena 20S. Norm if you are on here I would like to hear your input on this.
I know there are many many different earbuds and that some can get quite expensive. How can I try them without throwing a lot of money away?
Got ideas?
Huhhh??? 8)
Brick
Post by: RIDEMYST on May 09, 2017, 01:52:32 PM
Your interest is timely as PlugUp.com is a vendor at STAR this year. You can purchase a high quality custom audio earplug and get more answers to your questions. -JEP-
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Post by: DirtFlier on May 09, 2017, 03:49:53 PM
I also use hearing aids and like you, it's the high frequencies that escape me. I generally appreciate the hearing aids but in a noisy room, such as a crowded restaurant, they can make it a bit overwhelming so sometimes I removed my hearing aids in that situation.
ps. maybe we need an Official Hearing Aid of the MSTA? :D
Post by: RIDEMYST on May 09, 2017, 04:45:22 PM
The problem with earbuds as I see it are fitting them into your ears then putting on your helmet without one or both coming ajar. ....
The better ear plugs don't do that especially the custom ear plugs. They will take a mold of your ear and the wires that connect to your Bluetooth are pointed downward so you can easily slide your helmet on without pulling them out. I wear a full face and the Boss wears a flip up and we never have that problem. Speak with Marilyn at STAR and she will answer those kind of questions. -JEP-
http://www.plugup.com/Default.asp (http://www.plugup.com/Default.asp)
Post by: Landon on May 09, 2017, 04:45:43 PM
For $10 these are worth a try to see if earbuds will work for you. I know several riders that use these.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Skullcandy-Jib-Earbuds-S2DUDZ/36277288?variantFieldId=actual_color
Post by: Brick on May 09, 2017, 04:58:31 PM
Now I need to find which connector the Sena takes to see if the Skull Candy can plug in.
And I can check with Plugup.
Post by: Landon on May 09, 2017, 05:02:43 PM
Ok some good stuff here... hear!! :clap:
Now I need to find which connector the Sena takes to see if the Skull Candy can plug in.
And I can check with Plugup.
If you have the 20s it has the plug for the skull candy. Believe its on the front by the boom for the mic.
Post by: copdocpvd on May 09, 2017, 07:15:07 PM
Post by: Brick on May 09, 2017, 08:53:29 PM
I use earbud-type headphones with my Sena 20, it's the first time I've ever had TOO much volume at full volume on any intercom. Highly recommend
If I might ask... which earbuds and where how much?
Thanks
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Post by: RIDEMYST on May 10, 2017, 06:37:40 AM
I picked up a 6" right angle cord from Amazon (I think they may have a 4") that I leave plugged into my Sena all the time then it's simple to find the port (even with gloves on) and plug in your earplug cord.
I also had my custom earplug cord shortened (I have mine at 18" from the Y) so the wire isn't flapping around when I'm riding....works great!
If you are at STAR take a look at my set up and I'm sure PlugUp can customize their earplugs the same way. -JEP-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C4FU52C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C4FU52C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Post by: Paco Bulto on May 10, 2017, 12:53:54 PM
The problem with earbuds as I see it are fitting them into your ears then putting on your helmet without one or both coming ajar. ....
The better ear plugs don't do that especially the custom ear plugs. They will take a mold of your ear and the wires that connect to your Bluetooth are pointed downward so you can easily slide your helmet on without pulling them out. I wear a full face and the Boss wears a flip up and we never have that problem. Speak with Marilyn at STAR and she will answer those kind of questions. -JEP-
http://www.plugup.com/Default.asp (http://www.plugup.com/Default.asp)
It seems that we are discussing both earbuds and earplugs, which are 2 different animals, I believe. Brick, is your original question about earbuds referring to the wired items that have speakers so you can listen to your Sena? My son David uses that type with his Cardo G9, but I don't know which brand. I have the same G9 and find that foam generic earplugs work fine for me. I never wanted to hassle of fooling with wired earbuds and find that my G9 with the later model in helmet speakers provide plenty of volume and fidelity when listening to music via Bluetooth.
As far as custom earplugs, I had some made a few years ago at one of the International motorcycle shows and found that, first off, they didn't block noise as well as the generic plugs I am used to and they weren't as comfortable. YMMV.
Post by: copdocpvd on May 10, 2017, 01:36:32 PM
Post by: DirtFlier on May 10, 2017, 04:42:02 PM
I also had the same experience and felt the denser material was transmitting drumming noises (from wind). One good point is that there is a definite left & right side and fitting them into my ear canals was easy.
Post by: TN2Wheeler on May 10, 2017, 05:06:04 PM
[As far as custom earplugs, I had some made a few years ago at one of the International motorcycle shows and found that, first off, they didn't block noise as well as the generic plugs I am used to and they weren't as comfortable.]I had some of those too. Worked great for a couple of years and then the shape of my ear canal changed a little (apparently) and they didn't "seal" any longer.
I also had the same experience and felt the denser material was transmitting drumming noises (from wind). One good point is that there is a definite left & right side and fitting them into my ear canals was easy.
Post by: fartymarty on May 10, 2017, 05:24:48 PM
If you do find the ear buds work for you, you'll no doubt find that you will use the outside mic on the Sena 20s more often. The mic (for some unknown reason ??? {probably has something to do with rain}) is in the rear in the usb charging/software port, so make sure the little rubber cover is open and cock your head a bit to the right of whoever it is you are trying to hear.
Good Luck Brick!
Post by: Brick on May 10, 2017, 08:00:49 PM
Today I once more tried to reposition the speakers. I found one spot that was better. However the speakers were on the outside of the helmet liner and while I could hear better it didn't take long before the speakers were hurting my ears!
Clyde just today got custom ear plugs made at Beltone here in Morganton, NC. They are much softer than the other 2 pair I had made years ago. Also the have a hole through them and came with a bunch of tubes that are the decibel tubes that limit the amount of "sound" allowed past the ear molds. He uses the older SENA and say these plugs with the db tubes work well for him. I think he said like $160
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Post by: JeffT on May 10, 2017, 08:38:35 PM
I've use Ear-iris molded ear buds with my Sean's for about the last five years and love them.
Jeff
Post by: Brick on May 10, 2017, 10:02:42 PM
Hey, Brick
I've use Ear-iris molded ear buds with my Sean's for about the last five years and love them.
Jeff
Hi Jeff... Thanks
I googled Ear-iris and didn't get a direct match but some stuff with some combination of those words.
I guess the idea is to get something that fits and stays in the ear as you ride.
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Post by: doug mcpeek on May 11, 2017, 07:49:07 AM
http://www.plugup.com/the_S_plug_stereo_earbuds_s/67.htm (http://www.plugup.com/the_S_plug_stereo_earbuds_s/67.htm)
I recently switched to Plugfones (contractor yellow). They have a soft foam earplug wrapped around the inner workings of an earbud. I've used them once. They are more comfortable and seem to work just as well.
www.plugfones.com (http://www.plugfones.com)
Both keep out wind noise and deliver music and voice clearly. Both fit under helmet easily. Only issue is managing the long S plug wires. Next time I'd get shorter wires.
Post by: Brick on May 11, 2017, 09:16:03 AM
I used the same pair of S plugs for 2 years. They work great, but are silicone and less comfortable than foam ear plugs.
http://www.plugup.com/the_S_plug_stereo_earbuds_s/67.htm (http://www.plugup.com/the_S_plug_stereo_earbuds_s/67.htm)
I recently switched to Plugfones (contractor yellow). They have a soft foam earplug wrapped around the inner workings of an earbud. I've used them once. They are more comfortable and seem to work just as well.
www.plugfones.com (http://www.plugfones.com)
Both keep out wind noise and deliver music and voice clearly. Both fit under helmet easily. Only issue is managing the long S plug wires. Next time I'd get shorter wires.
Doug,
Very interesting! So in trying to understand both products it seems that the Plugup S actually have a driver or 2 drivers depending on what you order and the Plugfones look to be passive. Is this correct?
So if you recently switched do you still have the Plugup? Do they work?
Also I like the idea of Plugfones where you can change from silicone to foam covers and even have different colors for each ear. Am I reading this correctly? I didn't see that option on the Plugup.
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Post by: qman8 on May 11, 2017, 09:50:56 AM
https://www.etymotic.com/consumer/earphones/mc5.html (https://www.etymotic.com/consumer/earphones/mc5.html)
I've tried custom molded (nearly $300 and dont isolate as well), The shure 215s (way too cumbersome under a helmet, and dont isolate well)
The Etymotics are small, dont interfere when puttin on your helmet, and isolate very near to the best foam earplugs. And the sound is pretty damn good too....maybe just slightly less quality than the Shure's, but when you're at speed, the better isolation makes the MC5 sound better.
Only downside is that after a full day, they can be not quite as comfortable as custom molded plugs or plain old foam plugs, but not bad at all. And for ~$60.....the best deal out there.
Post by: Brick on May 11, 2017, 11:37:49 AM
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Post by: normkern on May 11, 2017, 01:46:24 PM
I'm wondering if earbuds would help me? I noticed that Norm Kern wears earbuds with his Sena 20S. Norm if you are on here I would like to hear your input on this.
Brick
Earbuds like the Skullcandy ones don't work for me- they fall out of my ears almost immediately. I like in-ear ear PHONES. Etymotic MC5 are the best I have found so far. They come with several earpieces, but the "Christmas tree" ones work the best for me. The MC5 are very small and insert into the ear canal. If the "Christmas trees" fit your ear canal properly, they knock out 30+ db of external noise and stay in your ear very well. They are super high fidelity and I can hear very well with them at low volume levels.
Both music and voice sounds the same as if you were listening to good speakers in a quiet room. MC5's are about $60 on Amazon Prime. https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Noise-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B003S3RFIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494524115&sr=8-1&keywords=etymotic+mc5+earphones (https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Noise-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B003S3RFIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494524115&sr=8-1&keywords=etymotic+mc5+earphones)
If the stock earbuds don't work well for your ear canal, there are many aftermarket eartips on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=etymotic+mc5+eartips&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aetymotic+mc5+eartips (https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=etymotic+mc5+eartips&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aetymotic+mc5+eartips)
The cord and plug are very durable and the plug is angled so it stays plugged in very well. The earphones are small and go into the ear far enough that I can leave the Sena speakers in the helmet although I had to relocate them slightly.
The only problem I have is with sweat and earwax on warm days that make them dislodge easily after about 4 hours. To overcome this, I carry small alcohol wipes with me. Before each day, I clean the eartips with a wipe and dry them with a tissue. I also swab out my ear canals with the alcohol wipe to get rid of sweat and wax. On hot days I may clean everything at lunch as well.
Everyone's ears are different. Some will love my solution, others will not. Jeff Dolence has some custom molded earphones/earplugs. A bit pricey, but I may get a set some time and try them.
BTW, Brick, I have a spare set of new MC5s with me. Hit me up at Sparta if you'd like to try them.
Norm
Post by: Brick on May 11, 2017, 01:52:17 PM
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Post by: NinjaBob on May 11, 2017, 01:54:00 PM
I bought a set of S plugs at STAR one year for around $90 and they were lost before I got home. :helpme:
Read Norms post about the Christmas Tree style buds. I tried them - really weird! Not them, my ears! No sound unless I hold my mouth partly open...
Post by: Brick on May 11, 2017, 02:26:23 PM
I bought a set of S plugs at STAR one year for around $90 and they were lost before I got home. :helpme:
Too funny! You are a mess! LOL
Read Norms post about the Christmas Tree style buds. I tried them - really weird! Not them, my ears! No sound unless I hold my mouth partly open...
Now that IS weird!
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Post by: JeffT on May 11, 2017, 03:44:17 PM
I got mine at barber a few year back and he made the mold there, I still have his info if you want it, I've have not had any issues with themHey, Brick
I've use Ear-iris molded ear buds with my Sean's for about the last five years and love them.
Jeff
Hi Jeff... Thanks
I googled Ear-iris and didn't get a direct match but some stuff with some combination of those words.
I guess the idea is to get something that fits and stays in the ear as you ride.
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Post by: Brick on May 11, 2017, 08:30:10 PM
I got mine at barber a few year back and he made the mold there, I still have his info if you want it, I've have not had any issues with themHey, Brick
I've use Ear-iris molded ear buds with my Sean's for about the last five years and love them.
Jeff
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Jeff,
Thanks but I've had two sets made one at a MC show and one at an MSTA event. Both from people I knew. Both were so painful I couldn't leave a helmet on.
So no Thanks!
Brick
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Post by: normkern on May 12, 2017, 07:44:04 AM
Norm... excellent I would love to try them. Thanks!David,
You might be surprised at all the spare/backup techie things I carry. Make me think of what the teacher would say when she caught me with chewing gum when I was little: "Did you bring enough for EVERYBODY?"
Norm
Post by: Brick on May 12, 2017, 08:11:14 AM
Norm... excellent I would love to try them. Thanks!David,
You might be surprised at all the spare/backup techie things I carry. Make me think of what the teacher would say when she caught me with chewing gum when I was little: "Did you bring enough for EVERYBODY?"
Norm
Yea... I got that too.
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Post by: bcd on May 12, 2017, 02:58:17 PM
I did get a set of custom ear molds made for them a few years ago. They fit in my ears nicely but they made the back of the MC5 stick out further, and the helmet would move it around and mess up the seal. I went back to just using the silicone 'xmas tree' tips that came with them.
The only times they've failed have been my fault. One got stepped on and another got smashed in a saddlebag hinge.
I just roll up the extra wire length after putting on my helmet, and put the loop in my jacket's left chest pocket.
Post by: osufz6 on May 12, 2017, 03:26:23 PM
Post by: bcd on May 12, 2017, 03:29:10 PM
It's probably a little easier with the modular, but I didn't have too much trouble before.
Post by: doug mcpeek on May 14, 2017, 12:45:52 PM
Yer on target, Brick...
I rode with the Plugfones yesterday. With the foam, they are clearly more comfortable than S plugs, IMO. They are also loud and clear with the Sena SMH10r (correction: not a 10S). I'll keep my S plugs as a backup.
Post by: wmeacham on May 16, 2017, 12:21:43 PM
Post by: Brick on May 16, 2017, 02:38:25 PM
Brick , I 've been using the custom molded ear sets from http://www.earfuze.com/ (http://www.earfuze.com/) for sometime. The racing set is on $35. Give them a try. They will plug directly into the 20S.
Wayne thanks for the input. I watched the video and am well concerned. I had two sets made one at a bike show and one at a race without speakers years ago. When I put a helmet on both really hurt. I could not wear them. Are they soft to the touch?
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Post by: stevegrab on May 17, 2017, 05:11:53 PM
You ever open your mouth when riding and notice the change in pitch of the wind noise? (I always ride with earplugs but have never tried music in my helmet, and don't have hearing loss now but probably will as I age [damn loud rock music].)
I bought a set of S plugs at STAR one year for around $90 and they were lost before I got home. :helpme:
Too funny! You are a mess! LOL
Read Norms post about the Christmas Tree style buds. I tried them - really weird! Not them, my ears! No sound unless I hold my mouth partly open...
Now that IS weird!
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Post by: RichGrab on May 18, 2017, 10:16:45 AM
Yes, opening / closing the mouth moves the jaw bones and can change the shape of your ear canal. Also things like turning your head and just chewing a piece of gum. I've used some cheap velcro mount speakers in my helmet along with either standard foam plugs (Howard Leight, the yellow/red colored ones) or some Etymotic noise cancelling plugs. The have a little hole in the center which allows the sound to travel through. Worked pretty good, with volume up. After a few hours you could feel them in your ears, since they are not as soft as the foam plugs. For the long slab rides, they worked pretty good and total investment (plugs, speakers, extension wire from helmet to sound source) was under $45.You ever open your mouth when riding and notice the change in pitch of the wind noise? (I always ride with earplugs but have never tried music in my helmet, and don't have hearing loss now but probably will as I age [damn loud rock music].)
I bought a set of S plugs at STAR one year for around $90 and they were lost before I got home. :helpme:
Too funny! You are a mess! LOL
Read Norms post about the Christmas Tree style buds. I tried them - really weird! Not them, my ears! No sound unless I hold my mouth partly open...
Now that IS weird!
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