Ear Protection - Earos

[JIMOCO]

I know a lot of you use ear plugs when driving. Has anyone tried the EAROS ear protection? This is their web site. https://earos.co/
If yes, what are your thoughts? Has anyone used something similar?

[Bobby Doug]

I don’t have them, but after reading the information about them I personally don’t believe a 17 decibel reduction is enough. If you are using the stock FFR side pipes and between them along with the wind noise they are both over 100 decibels at highway speeds. I use a local company that makes custom ear plugs and they claim a 22 decibel reduction. Just my 2 cents.

[AdamIsAdam]

Want you share the company info?

I'd like to get something. I've never found any type of ear piece that stays in comfortably. Maybe it's my ears. So I'd like to find something I could wear comfortably.

[FLPBFoot]

We've found that wearing one 3M 1100 ear plug, Left ear for me and Right ear for my wife works great. They provide 29 db attenuation. Plugging the ear that is closest to the exhaust is all that is needed. Keeping the other open lets us talk at stop lights and even with a louder yell while on the road. The windshield with sun visors up and with the side wings does a pretty good job of keeping the wind noise down. We always wore these on the Harley. They work great and are cheap. We keep a dozen or so packages in the glove box.

[AdamIsAdam]

FYI:

A Noise Reduction Rating or NRR is a system used to measure the amount a hearing protection device is capable of reducing sound exposure in decibels. The higher the NRR of a hearing protector, the more effective it will be at reducing noise.

The amount of exposure to sound when wearing a shooting hearing protection device is based on the NRR of the device. As mentioned before, the NRR is measured in decibels. It’s important to know that the amount of decibels being reduced are not equivalent to a device’s NRR though. In order to figure out how many decibels of exposure are actually being reduced, you must subtract 7 from the NRR and then divide by 2. So if a hearing protector has a rating of 33 NRR, you would do (33 – 7) / 2. This comes out to be 13. So in actuality, only 13 decibels are being reduced. If you are being exposed to 100 dB with the naked ear, putting the protectors on would reduce it to about 87 dB in this case.

[Papa]

These are what I've been using.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TWGMVRS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Seem to work very well so far and I've used them for one highway trip of ~100 miles.

Link updated

[mburger]

Bad link Papa.

[Railroad]

I shoot a lot and have used a lot of different ear plugs.
These are the best I have used.

https://www.ferguson.com/product/3m-e-a-rfit-corded-reusable-ear-plugs-box-of-100-in-yellow-3m08052911011/_/R-6317424

The ones I use have a blue stem. Maybe a size indicator.
Also, 3M makes numerous mushroom models. The foam is without inside structure and all soft foam.
I have tried the other 3M mushrooms, not as good.
These also come without the lanyard.
3M™ EXPRESS™ Pod Plugs™ 80529-21000 Earplug, Push to fit Foam, 25 dB, Yellow/Blue Plug

[SerpantFL]

Has anyone done a comparison between FFR side pipes, Gas-N, and underneath pipes to measure the sound levels? Something to consider prior to a build for those sensitive to loud noises. I know, if you can't stand the noise, get off the race track, but just a thought... Stay safe, everyone...

[Papa]

Has anyone done a comparison between FFR side pipes, Gas-N, and underneath pipes to measure the sound levels? Something to consider prior to a build for those sensitive to loud noises. I know, if you can't stand the noise, get off the race track, but just a thought... Stay safe, everyone...

There is a thread that someone had posted that compares FFR to Gas-N with measured dB data. I don't have measured data, but the difference from the bare steel FFR pipes to the Gas-N pipes on my car was significant.

Dave

Update:

Found the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plP1ecBy8F0

[Papa]

Here is a clip of my car with the FFR pipes:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS-T5ODCc0o

Note: This was my first start and there is a bad exhaust leak on the driver's side, but if you listen to the portion of the video where I bring up the RPM to around 3K, it should give you an idea.

[Papa]

Here is a clip with Gas-N pipes:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxF-K-vwR1c&list=PLuOBX_HJpgA6kU9wQvOfihMCKMAI8z8dQ&index=3&t=0s

[SerpantFL]

Thanks Papa. That is something to consider going forward. No limit to the help found here on the forum, Thanks, Anthony

[Papa]

Here is a video with the FFR pipes after fixing the exhaust leak:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doBle7rb7hI

[Railroad]

This thread reminded me, I put a sound meter app on my phone. I might check mine, next test drive. Driving with ear plug in left ear now.

[edwardb]

Good discussion. I too have a sound pressure level app on my phone and have done quite a lot of checking. Some observations: Different engines have different sounds, and also at different RPM's. Kind of an obvious statement, but important IMO to distinguish. So it's not only about the pipes. I've had both FF pipes and Gas-N pipes. Decibel wise there's not a huge difference, as the linked videos above show. But the Gas-N is a less harsh sound. Plus they point down a bit which definitely helps. The FF pipes having a ringing sound that makes my head hurt very quickly. Also, FF pipes have the unfortunate reputation for blowing out and getting louder over time. But my main point is I was extremely surprised in my monitoring to find that with my Coyote powered Roadster with Gas-N pipes at highway cruise you can barely hear the engine or side pipes. Yet the sound pressure level is still in the upper 90's or more. That's with wind wings and visors. Wind, tires, traffic, etc. in an open top car is a very loud environment. Louder than I think most people realize. That's up in the range where 1-2 hours exposure can cause hearing loss. Any industrial environment with those levels would have mandatory protection shop rules. So no matter which pipes you choose, look at the whole picture. Wear protection. And I'd strongly recommend both ears.

[phileas_fogg]

I bought a pair of the Christmas tree style rubber ear plugs & drove with them for ~1000 miles. Then one day I woke up with ringing in my ears. A trip to the ENT later, we determined those ear plugs were not adequate to the task...and that's a 302 with Gas'N pipes. I've got some mild hearing loss in the upper frequencies and the ringing.

The ENT said the best hearing protection was (1) over the ear headphones, (2) custom made ear plugs, and (3) the cheap foam plugs you get from the home improvement store in bags of a hundred. I now drive with option 3.


John

[Bob Cowan]

The most important thing to look at is fit. Whatever ear plug you choose must fit correctly. If you're using a 32dB ear plug that doesn't fit right, you won't get the protection you need. Kind of like a condom with a small hole in it. ;)

I've tried a number of different types over the decades: foam, rubber, custom fit, etc. Now I use these: https://www.mcmaster.com/54725t32 Only $0.18 a pair.

The other trick to disposable ear plugs is to remember that they are disposable. When I'm on a road trip I use a new pair every day.

[shark92651]

My wife and I shoot quite a bit as well and we have a couple different sets of electronic muffs that have a volume control and can actually amplify sounds below 82 db, but will knock down anything above that - think a max of 22 db reduction. I will give them a try when I get my car back. I haven't yet been on any long trips over about an hour, but I can definitely feel that I am not doing my ears any favors already.

[Avalanche325]

One thing to note when listening to videos of peoples cars. Unless you have EXACTLY the same engine combination (compression, cam, heads, etc), it really doesn't tell you a lot. There are a few tests that were done on the other forum with different pipe combinations showing HP and Db differences on the same engine. Gas-N pipes actually showed to be louder than FFR pipes by Db level. But the tone is very different and out of that annoying bark area, so they sound quieter.

When I go to DSCC events, where there are typically 20 - 25 FFRs, they all sound completely different, and have very different loudness levels. My friends 347 sounds completely different than mine. Mine is WAY louder even with me having Flowmasters because I have different heads and a bigger cam.

I have thought about trying a couple other things like places that build custom mufflers for Corvettes, racing boats, etc. But it is hard to plonk down $1000+ with no idea what you will get.

My car is very loud. I use foam plugs simply because they have the highest attenuation rating.

[Railroad]

I just bought a set of these for $131 and change. I bought them for shooting. I will let you read up on them, but a major feature for some will be the blue tooth. You can answer and hear your phone or music. They also are controllable by blue tooth.
The best price is Midwest Gun Works, if they are still on sale. Read the reviews. Mine are good and have no issues.
https://www.walkersgameear.com/silencer/