Interesting topic, I never wear ear plugs I like to hear what is going on, re helmet noise I have had trouble with it in the past, some bikes you need to change or cut down the screen, the best screen I have found is one with a flip top, and some bikes you can not get over it at all, I like someone else used to wear Shoie helmets but it was so noisy on the bike I have now I bought a flip face Caberg and that is a lot better, I did once get over the noise factor on one of my helmets by fitting a skirt on the bottom which you can buy and that worked well but made it is a bit more dificult getting it on and off, but I think you only need the skirt at the front and mine was all round so perhaps if you cut away the back it would work just the same and make it easy to get on and off just a thought? Keith