Modern Vespa

Being a habitual user of cheap foam earplugs whenever I ride, I occasionally (roughly 2 out of 5 'applications') will experience a problematic earplug extraction episode that requires the use of a specialized tool to rectify, almost always in my left ear for some reason.

Immediately after the arrival at my destination, if the offending foam plug resists my efforts at removing it digitally, I will resort to mechanical means and retrieve my special tool from the dark abyss of my well-worn Triumph backpack and apply it as-needed in order to remove the wedged foam ear plug and restore my normal hearing.

Surprisingly perhaps, most of us already possess this special foam earplug retrieval tool, and if not, one can be sourced from almost any neighborhood hardware store for several dollars, Euros, shekels, or whatever currency is appropriate for one's area.

Of course, it goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway), that using tools of any sort for the retrieval of foreign objects from one's body should always be done with caution and careful consideration to avoid unnecessary discomfort or even injury.

You're welcome!

I avoid that issue with Flents Protechs contoured plugs.

I used to use those until I discovered Moldex Rockets. They have a built in removal device, plus they don't make my ears itch after prolonged use.

Both of those hearing protection devices are certainly convenient and effective, but I'm simply too damn cheap to spend more than $5 for hearing protection, and even then, for that $5 (USD) I want a package containing no less than ten 'foamies'.

The price of the foam plug removal tool is prorated out over the perhaps twenty years that it's been in my possession, so my ultimate investment in the tool is probably about 18 cents annually, spread out over that time.

Bargains galore!

And did I mention, effective?

JBlacklund,

As usual, you are a hoot. There has got to be a bunch of sensative ears out there - many folks wear ear pluggs.

JBlack, I would have thought you had long blown out your hearing standing to close to ampifiers playing rock and roll.

For some reason, I have never felt the need for ear protection. With my helmet on, I am just fine. Back story, I was in communications in the USN. You had to qualify with extremely strong hearing (ranges) to detect continues wave morse code. Of course, even being taught this old key board communications, we predominantly used teletype. In 1971, I was in one of the last training classes where they taught everyone sending and receiving di di da da .

At 75 my hearing is still strong - half my riding buddies are half deaf. Kind of a joke around the ride lunch break with everyone at the table saying What!, What!. Just don't get at the end of the table with all the half deaf folks smiling and bobing their heads like they understand - but can't hear shit.

Ride on you plugged up souls.

Bob Copeland

My wife got me a set of Earpeace plugs for a present. They work great, but my fat fingers can't grasp the tiny tabs. I just couldn't claw one of them out and had to get help from an obliging riding partner. Not the most intimate request, but still, I'd rather perform my own extraction.

On the other hand, the silicone earplugs are washable, so the cost comes down over the period of use.

I pulled out my own personal pick. Even has a light at the end!

With a little extra pressure you can snag both plugs at the same time!

Now, don't you guys go and get all practical on me with this stuff.

One of the lesser known benefits of cheap foam earplugs is that when you find one (inevitably) in the kitty litter box one morning, it's not a 'cat-ass-trophy' as long as it does work it's way back into the sunshine and doesn't get stuck in the cat somewhere.
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The contoured Flents I use are $10.49 for a pack of 50 pair. That's $0.21 per pair. And they don't get stuck, and are easy to remove. I usually get half a dozen uses out of a pair before they get grungy and I toss 'em.

I use a paper clip for that purpose when necessary.

I would use a common tweezers, but the corroded old needlenose pliers just seems more...'manly'.

I have used a hemostat to excavate hearing plugs. Now, and for at least the past 20 years, my hearing has declined so much that I use hearing aids. They are managed with a phone app so I can set them to a program I call "Riding" where I'm close to deaf but can hear horns and sirens, etc.

Hemostats are still in my garage and get used a lot. I have large ones, medium and then a smallish pair with curved ends, like this one:

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Looks like the tool Arnold used to extract the tracking device out of his nasal canal on Total Recall!

I use a shot of compressed air in the opposing ear to pop out stuck plugs. Not much pressure is required - I usually set the compressor to 20psi.

On the rare occasion that I'm constipated, I'll use a similar technique by inserting the air hose in my mouth and put around 40 lbs through 'my system'. So far, it has never failed to satisfactorily clear any...um..'obstructions', though one must resist the inclination to 'clench' during the process or serious injury could result.

I suppose the best advice concerning my personal procedure would be....

PLEASE...DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME, KIDS!

LOL last 2 posts

I've had good luck with this 😳

Interesting, but exactly where, and how, is this instrument applied?

I thought of the scene from "The Matrix". Extracting the bug out of the navel.

TR is a great 1990 film. Featured a young Sharon Stone. Having trouble time stamping. 1:30.

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This was discussed in Idiocracy. It's complicated:

what is an acceptable price per pair your willing to pay for them?

The price of the foamy earplugs I use is about $5 for ten (five pair) down at the drug store.

I can get a month or more use out a box of them.

They actually work very well.

I almost always wear a Scorpion modular helmet, but the wind roar with this helmet is awful, and I need something to avoid it.

My cheapo foam plugs completely stop that damaging wind roar, but I can still hear the engines well enough to shift them properly, etc.

Of course, with the Vespa, shift points are irrelevant, but it's still nice that the motor sounds can be enjoyed without that damn wind roar.

so your ok with .50 cents a pair then.

amazon has boxes of 100 for $21-22 that have cords attached, this will cut your costs down ALOT.

Ear protection? Whuh? I couldn't hear what y'all were sayin'...

Fifteen or more years of playing bass and percussion in rock bands left me with a 40% loss in my left ear (always stood Stage Right to play). Another 12 years as a radio and club DJ gave me a case of tinnitus you wouldn't believe.

Wait...did you say something?

Anyway, my partner is always shocked in restaurants when I comment (to him) on some conversation I'm overhearing at a nearby table. My right ear's fine! When I wrote TV in Hollyweird, it was a fantastic way to steal real-world dialog!

Victor