Here's an interesting angle (after the fact)
 

Doing some past charts at DMR and ran across Rushen Heat. Ran with some funny looking EARs (and blinkers) his first 6 starts (1 at HOL, 1 at FPX, the rest at DMR), all without a win.
On 10/8 at OSA, he keeps the hood on but loses the EARS and pops at $22.00+.
Has won another since, sans ears.

I'm assuming the EARS were meant to keep out crowd noise --though it's odd they wouldn't just go with cotton, if that were the case.

Anyone know differently?

That is interesting...

My problem, is I'm not enough of a paddock 'capper. And since they don't list any equipment issues in the DRF except for blinkers on/off, is that something you guys look out for much when looking at horses on the track or in the paddock?