Anybody use Custom moulded earbuds?

[walkman]

Last weekend I proved to myself the viability of my homemade super lightweight headset made from an old headset mic, a coat hangar, and a set of earbuds off my MP3 player. Try as I might I could not get them to fly off my head like regular headsts

However, they aren't so good when it comes to noise reduction or comfort. I'm considering getting some custom moulded ear plugs and am looking for recommendations or experiences.

Thanks

[bkthomps]

just get some QT halos, no need to reinvent the wheel

[AX-O]

Yes, do a search for CEPs. I use them at work and in my RV. However, some of the vibration does get transfered to your ear . I find that the Bose A20 does a better job reducing noise level than my set up shown on Post #5 (for the RV environment).

look at post #5 herehttp://www.vansairforce.com/communit...&highlight=CEP

[miyu1975]

Just got my QT Halos recently, love'em.. read this for qt halo FAQ

Wouldn't a custom-fit earmold be better at blocking noise than foam earplugs?

Earplugs are more effective than earcups at blocking low and mid frequency noise. The earplug has less mass and surface area upon which noise can interact. Therefore, nothing has to be done with noise if it doesn't enter the ear canal in the first place! Nothing. It is the "occlusion effect" and is the same phenomenon that occurs when you close your ear canals tightly with your fingers and talk aloud. Some of that sound energy produced by bone vibration within ithe skull is "trapped" in the ear canal and reflected back to your ear drum where it is heard as a loud, muffled sound. You will get used to it, and it probably won't be noticed in flight. Not necesarily. Contrary to many experts' opinions, the earmold is NOT a perfect replica of the ear canal. An imperfect fit can cause miniature acoustic leaks; a pathway for the sound to enter the ear canal. The earmold is relatively solid as compared to the dynamic motion of the ear canal when chewing, or moving about. If there is one very small, razor-thin leak between the earmold and the ear canal, almost ALL low frequencies will enter the ear canal and will sound as loud as wearing no earplugs at all. Foam on the other hand continually accomodates the ear canal shape and therefore blocks sound from entering the canal. If you are luck enough to get a good sealing earplug, you will also have a pneumatic seal that blocks air pressure from equalizing between the ear drum and the surrounding air pressure creating some discomfort climbing or descending from altitudes. Finally, earmolds are sweaty and often produce "sore points" on about 30% of the users. Clearly, foam is the best choice.

[Mike S]

There was a thread about this a long time ago, 6 or 7 years???

As I recall, the person used custom units from a place that made musician ear pieces and had the manufacture modify them for use in the plane.

Tried a bit of searching, but no joy---------hopefully the person who did the old thread will see this one and jump in.

Not cheap way to go, but seems to be quite effective.

[walkman]

Originally Posted by bkthomps

just get some QT halos, no need to reinvent the wheel

150 for custom moulded plugs vs 400 to basically get what I assembled for < 20 and already have?

[walkman]

Originally Posted by miyu1975

Just got my QT Halos recently, love'em.. read this for qt halo FAQ

Wouldn't a custom-fit earmold be better at blocking noise than foam earplugs?

Earplugs are more effective than earcups at blocking low and mid frequency noise. The earplug has less mass and surface area upon which noise can interact. Therefore, nothing has to be done with noise if it doesn't enter the ear canal in the first place! Nothing. It is the "occlusion effect" and is the same phenomenon that occurs when you close your ear canals tightly with your fingers and talk aloud. Some of that sound energy produced by bone vibration within ithe skull is "trapped" in the ear canal and reflected back to your ear drum where it is heard as a loud, muffled sound. You will get used to it, and it probably won't be noticed in flight. Not necesarily. Contrary to many experts' opinions, the earmold is NOT a perfect replica of the ear canal. An imperfect fit can cause miniature acoustic leaks; a pathway for the sound to enter the ear canal. The earmold is relatively solid as compared to the dynamic motion of the ear canal when chewing, or moving about. If there is one very small, razor-thin leak between the earmold and the ear canal, almost ALL low frequencies will enter the ear canal and will sound as loud as wearing no earplugs at all. Foam on the other hand continually accomodates the ear canal shape and therefore blocks sound from entering the canal. If you are luck enough to get a good sealing earplug, you will also have a pneumatic seal that blocks air pressure from equalizing between the ear drum and the surrounding air pressure creating some discomfort climbing or descending from altitudes. Finally, earmolds are sweaty and often produce "sore points" on about 30% of the users. Clearly, foam is the best choice.

Which is why I'm looking for first hand experiences, particularly on the ones that require a mould made by an audiologist not DIY moulds. There are plenty of testimonials on the websites of those selling the products. Not an unbiased source of information.

[LAMPSguy]

I use them for work and prefer them to foamies...mostly. In a super sweaty environment (helicopter in the summer with no A/C) I can get just enough sweat in my ears to make the custom fit earplugs a little uncomfortable. Other than that, I prefer them.

This is the company the Military uses

http://www.beltone.com/products/belt...-earmolds.aspx

There is an art to getting it right, and some of the physiologists who are trained to make the ear molds do not know it. Stick your pinky in your ear and open/close your jaw. You can feel how your inner ear changes shape for different positions of your jaw. The key is to try to approximate the position it will be in the most often. For me it was not tight jaw mouth closed (like you probably will be tempted to do). For me it is a relaxed jaw with my mouth slightly open (I breathe through nose and mouth) and a slight smile (you don't smile when you fly?)
You hold this pose, they place a foam plug with a lanyard DEEP into your ear, then fill your ear with a thick goo. You wait until it is solid (a few minutes), then they remove it with the lanyard.

This package is then sent to Beltone who makes the positive from your ear into a negative mold. Now they can just keep it in stock and make them whenever you want.

I have been told the DR visit may cost $100 or so to get your ears molded, and Beltone charges whatever they charge for their services.

[Omega232Devils]

Walkman,
I use custom molded ear plugs with my Clarity Aloft headset in my RV. (RV-6A with O-360, C/S) Like AX-O, I use CEPs at work and had the molds made by military audiologist to incorporate with the CEPs under my helmet. However, they continuously came out under higher G-forces so I went back to the foam earplugs at work.

Clarity Aloft headsets use the same ear end adapters and foam tips as the CEPs so that is why I went with them over the Halo's. (My wife flies with the Halo's and loves them) I now use my custom molded ear plugs in the RV. Here is my take on custom molded ear plugs:

Pro:
1) They are really comfortable
2) They are easy to put in (much faster than foamies)
3) They can be cleaned and reused.

Cons:
1) Are expensive
2) Can be a little uncomfortable when eating (but nothing excruciating)
3) They are not as quiet as the foamies.

I have used them in 3 different RVs and have had no issues with them at all. I have been told that my RV is particularly quieter than most, probably the interior and floor insulation dampens the noise and vibration. For me, the ease/quick install and not having to buy new ones overcomes the decibel or two louder than foamies.

If that didn't answer your question, let me know.

Dan

[bkthomps]

Originally Posted by walkman

150 for custom moulded plugs vs 400 to basically get what I assembled for < 20 and already have?

I picked up my QT Halo set for $175, I've had custom plugs before and hated them (they were for blocking noise [drums]) not sure if the type you are talking about are different, there is such thing as fitting too well IMO