This piece of race gear goes straight from my ears to yours — in a manner of speaking.
Racecars make a lot of noise, and over time it can damage your hearing if you don’t protect it. I’ve gone through a bunch of different kinds of ear plugs, all of which have worked with varying degrees of success and, in some cases, ear infections. Many cases, even. I’ve had at least five ear infections in eight years of racing.
My wife bought me a pair of Happy Ears ear plugs, and they are the greatest ear protection I’ve ever tried. They come in small, medium and large and they offer up to 26 dB of volume reduction. What I like most about them is that they’re made of reusable silicone, and they are easy to put in and remove thanks to a stiff center rib that sticks out far enough for you to grab, but not so far it catches your balaclava or your helmet. I keep a couple of sets in the race trailer so they’re always there when I need them.
Made in Sweden, they’re inexpensive, and even come in a “Discovery Pack” so you can find just the right size. Prices start at $14.50 a pair.
