AO Safety/3M 312-1250 E-A-Rsoft Earplugs, Yellow Neons, 200-Pack

by 3M

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

EAR Soft earplugs are made of ultra soft, smooth foam. They are the highest rated noise reduction rated earplug. Formerly AO Safety, acquired by 3M and now branded 3M on the packaging.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 8.3 x 9.5 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000J05EYI
• Item model number: 312-1250
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,640 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #47 in Home Improvement > Safety & Security > Work Safety Equipment & Gear > Ear Protection

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've tried a lot of earplugs and these are my favorites, June 5, 2011

By 

Katherine (Ypsilanti, MI, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: AO Safety/3M 312-1250 E-A-Rsoft Earplugs, Yellow Neons, 200-Pack (Tools & Home Improvement)

I ride a lot of miles on a motorcycle, and these are my favorite earplugs. I buy earplugs in boxes of 200, and use up a box or more each year. I've tried a half dozen types, and these block as much noise as any, and are far more comfortable. Harder earplugs are easier to insert, but put pressure on my ear canals and get uncomfortable after ten or twelve hours on the bike. These Yellow Neons don't press like that. Since I discovered them, they are the only kind I buy, and I've gone through a half dozen boxes.

All foam earplugs are designed to be single use, but like many people, I will re-use earplugs if they are not dirty and still seem to be working OK. Well, the Yellow Neons do not hold up well to re-use, so I run through the boxes more quickly than I did with the harder earplugs. If you are sweating at all, they will soak up a little moisture and then you can't roll them up properly to get them back in your ears a second time. And they pick up dirt faster than shinier earplugs such as the MaxLite or Purafit. Fortunately with a box of 200, you can grab a new pair as often as you like.

Note that the Yellow Neons are made in two sizes, and if you have larger ear canals you will want the larger ones.

To the commenter on the earlier review, who proclaimed that if you need earplugs your motorcycle is too loud: The reason for earplugs on a motorcycle is because of the wind noise. 70mph on the freeway can push the noise level in a motorcycle helmet up over 100 decibels. Add in a 20mph headwind and it can get downright painful. None of my gas engine motorcycles have loud pipes - I won't have it. But I still go through a couple hundred pairs of earplugs each year. Even when I ride electric motorcycles that make no more sound than a bicycle, I still wear earplugs if I expect to go over 50 mph or so.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Effective, comfortable, great value, May 3, 2011

By 

L. Kirk "Technologirl" (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: AO Safety/3M 312-1250 E-A-Rsoft Earplugs, Yellow Neons, 200-Pack (Tools & Home Improvement)

I use earplugs often. As a writer in a typical office situation, typical office distractions such as loud conversations, people on webinars or conference calls, etc. are very distracting. Rather than expect the world to adapt to me, I use earplugs. These E-A-Rsoft plugs are somewhat small, but sized right for people with small to medium ear canals. I can't imagine someone's ear canals being so large that these would fall out ... I suspect perhaps some failure to follow instructions somewhere.

I can leave these plugs in for more than an hour with no discomfort.

They block noise well, though I find the 33 db claim suspicious. I have used silicone plugs too, rated at 28 db reduction, that I perceive to do a much better job. However, I just can't wear silicone plugs for extended periods as I can these foams.

And the price ... around .$10 per pair, seems quite a good deal.

I'm happy with the product and recommend it to someone with small to medium ear canals who wants comfortable earplugs that do a good, not great, job of noise reduction.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good plugs for motorcyclists, October 20, 2009

By 

Shimone Samuel "iamshimone" (Burlingame, California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: AO Safety/3M 312-1250 E-A-Rsoft Earplugs, Yellow Neons, 200-Pack (Tools & Home Improvement)

I ride a motorcycle with a medium loud exhaust (about half the loudness of a Harley). These earplugs dampen the sound to just the right level where I can ride comfortably to the hum of my own bike while the sound of traffic is all but muted. They are comfortable (I wear them in 1-hour increments), easy to insert and come individually sealed 2 to a pack. 200 is a HUGE number and I don't know if I'll ever run out of these.

If they didn't expand so quickly they would be perfect. I find myself rolling them between my fingers and then rushing to insert them before they expand. Other than that, no complaints.

Update 05/04/10: Updated my review in response to a comment.