1. There are two options for wearing hearing protection while needing to listen to a helmet communication system.   The first option is to go with the HearSmart^TM Music Earplugs.  They will provide clarity for hearing your system, specifically if you listen to music.  There are 4 filter levels to choose from based on how much sound reduction you need.  Each number (HS Music 12, 17, 19, 25) refers to the average dB level the filter will reduce.  But keep in mind, you will still be reducing the sound of not only the wind, but also your communication system as well; therefore, you will need to turn your volume up louder to hear it.
2. The best option for listening to a communication system on a helmet is to integrate our Audiofuse Earphones (AFE-1, AFE-2, AFE-3).  Most communication systems on the market these days are equipped with a 3.5mm audio output receptacle that you simply plug our 3.5mm jack into.  Some of the older systems do not have the audio output; however, there are after-market kits, such as Sena’s Clamp Kit, that can be incorporated to enable you to plug the Earphones into your communication system.  We offer a short 20” wire for this purpose in specific; therefore, the wire will only reach to the helmet’s audio output, so you won’t have extra wire to deal with.

Your communication system will function as normal EXCEPT; you will hear high fidelity sound through our speakers that are built into your own custom earmolds.  This way you have hearing protection from the wind, and can hear your communication system crystal clear without the need to turn the volume up louder than what’s comfortable. You can also purchase a wire extension at most electronics outlets for times you would like the wire longer to enable you to plug into a device such as a phone, laptop, or airplane system.

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• We recommend our Audiofuse^TM Earphones (AFE-1, AFE-2, AFE-3).  We build balanced armature drivers right into your custom earmolds, and manufacture them with a durable permanently attached wire that exits the bottom of the earmold so helmets being pulling on and off are less likely to kink, bend, or pull on the wire.  The bottom exit cable also allows us to manufacture the earmolds as flush as possible (based on the number of speakers and the person’s ear shape); therefore, they provide optimal comfort while worn under a helmet and will not move around when pulling the helmet on and off.
• Our earphones come standard with a braided wire with a 3.5mm jack.  You have the option to upgrade to an In-Line Mic wire that also plugs directly into your device with a 3.5mm jack.  The ILM wire has track controls and a microphone.   The microphones sits on the outside of the helmet; therefore, is not designed to allow for phone calls while riding.  You can still answer a call if stopped, but the microphone would pick up too much wind noise while moving.  Most riders upgrade to the ILM cable in order to adjust the volume and tracks, and play or stop the music.
• The product and pricing is based on how many drivers (balanced armature speakers) you get in each of the earmolds, and what wire you choose.  AFE-1 Single Drivers have one speaker in each ear, AFE-2 Dual Drivers have two speakers in each ear, and the AFE-3 Triple Drivers have three speakers in each ear.  Please see: How do I choose between Single Drivers, Duals, or Triples.

2. If you want to listen to music from external speakers on your motorcycle:

When listening to music it is important to maintain the clarity of sound and not muffle it.  For this reason, we recommend the HearSmart^TM Music Earplugs.  The filters work by attenuating or reducing sound levels evenly at all frequencies to provide a flat attenuation response.  This ultimately allows the user to hear the music clearly, but with less volume.  Most other earplugs on the market will block more sound in the high frequencies, and ultimately muffle the sound.  As mentioned above, the HS Music Earplugs work great for any type of helmet; open or closed-face.

Please note that we do not recommend the AFE-1 Sleeves for use under helmets for motorcycle riding.  Universal fit in-ear monitors typically already stick out of the ears, and adding a custom earmold may extend them a bit further out; therefore, they will not fit comfortably under a helmet, and will move or fall out when you pull your helmet on and off.  All of our custom earplugs and earphones are made as flush or thin as possible to ensure optimal comfort under a helmet.

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I just want to reduce sound:

1. If you wear a full-face helmet, we typically recommend the Class B Filtered Earplugs.  The acoustic filter will allow you to still hear road sounds, but reduces enough of the wind and bike noise to bring you to a safe and comfortable sound level.  It is most comfortable to have the earmolds slightly countersunk (concaved) so they fit well under a helmet.  We do not recommend wearing a cord on the earplugs for riding due to the vibration sounds you’ll hear.
2. If you wear an open-face helmet where your ears are exposed, we recommend the Class A Solid Earplugs.  You will require more sound reduction with an open-face helmet, and also would experience whistling through the vent of the Class B Filtered Earplugs.  The Class A Solid Earplugs will provide enough sound reduction with an open-face helmet, but you will still be able to hear the road sounds.  Again, we do not recommend wearing a cord on the earplugs for riding due to the vibration sounds you’ll hear.
3. If you switch back and forth between an open-face and closed-face helmet, or you specifically want to maintain the clarity of sound (not muffled), but have it quieter, we recommend the HearSmart^TM Music Earplugs.  The filter sits on the outer side of the earmolds; therefore, it won’t allow any whistling through the vent if your ears are exposed.  The HS Musicians Earplugs will work great for any type of helmet, and also fit very comfortably due to the smaller canal size they’re manufactured in.

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