Ear plugs and full lids...

[alanmcorcoran]

Be interested in hearing from you folks with full face helmets whether you ride with earplugs or not. I rode the GZ today for about 40 minutes or so, followed immediately by an hour and a half on the Strat. After I got home, I had a little background ringing, like you might have after going to a loud club or a rock concert. I didn't think I needed to worry about my hearing with the full helmet, but now I'm not so sure.

My hearing isn't the greatest to begin with - I went to many a loud concert/loud club in the seventies with no ear protection, and right up until recently with only partial protection, so I have to be careful going forward. Plus my dad has worn two gigantic hearing aids for the last ten years.

[music man]

Alan, I have the same problem, I have been to so many rock/metal concerts with no earplugs and shot so many guns the same way, that I can't even sleep in a totally quiet room because the ringing in my ears is so loud.

But on the Full-face helmet with no earplugs deal, I wouldn't advise it, I have heard from many sources that the constant noise, even the lower sustained noise in a Full face will cause hearing damage over the long term, Also I read one time that ANY time you hear something so loud that it makes your ears ring you have caused permanent hearing damage on some level or another, if that is true then I am truly F@#ked.

[mrlmd1]

The problem with earplugs is that if you block out ALL the noise, you can't hear things that are going on around you, like cars, trucks, horns, engine and other sounds from your own bike. Does your neck scarf thing or balaclava muffle the noise somewhat? I have the same problem sometimes - a lot of wind noise comes in from under my helmet and I think it's louder since I raised my windshield a bit. I think something underneath the helmet to block some of the wind would be better than earplugs and less distracting because of how they feel.

[dan_]

They make musicians earplugs that only filter out some of the noise. I play in a band and I have a 120 watt marshall half stack, my bass player plays a 300 watt GK stack, add in a 300 watt PA and my loud freakin drummer. We all wear the musicians ear plugs. Lemme see if I can get a link...

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=421714 (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hearos-Ultimate-Softness-Ear-Plugs-8-Pack-With-Case?sku=421714)

or these..

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=421214 (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hearos-High-Fidelity-Ear-Filters?sku=421214)

they only cancel 10 dcb.

[mrlmd1]

That's good, but , Whad you say?

Seriously, those could be very helpful.

[dan_]

That's good, but , Whad you say?


Sorry I was talking about guitar amplifiers. I'm a nerd when it comes to amps. I like them to be LOUD!!

[Water Warrior 2]

I always wear ear plugs. I too have Tinntus(sp)and can hear far better with plugs. Wind/road noise is also fatiguing. Just use the regular yellow or orange ones that are rated for 28 db and you will notice a difference. Earplugs cut down on noise not eliminate it. The idea is to cut down on constant noise, loud noise and sharp sounds that cause the damage. Some helmets actually increase the noise level and that can be very unnerving too.

[alanmcorcoran]

Thanks guys. I have the cheapie kind I take to concerts and on airplanes (anti screaming baby device) but I will pick up a more sophisticated pair.

[patrick_777]

I never really needed them with the GZ, but if I'm going highway speed on the Ninja, they're almost mandatory. The louder exhaust can really hurt your ears if not protected. Combine that with the constant wind noise and you're just adding up dBs that can cause lasting damage.

[blaine]

I wear half-helmet with built in ear muffs.works very well.can hear traffic,do sholder checks easly

[Water Warrior 2]

I wear half-helmet with built in ear muffs.works very well.can hear traffic,do sholder checks easly

Ears muffs will keep your ears warm but probably won't do much for hearing protection. I always wear earplugs with a fullface helmet. Shoulder checks are still easy if done right. Many people say they do not suffer hearing damage from loud or continuous noise but it comes back to bite them years later.

[Maggie]

I always wear a full face now (reluctantly getting used to it after the "freedom" of a 3/4) and always wear ear plugs (pink ones for girls, by the way) on the freeway. I don't really think about the plugs for the GZ because I never seem to be going too fast for such a stretch that the noise becomes noticeable. I may have to rethink that, though. APPATT? All pink plugs all the time. :whistle:

[burkbuilds]

I wear a full face helmet in cool and cold weather and I never wear ear plugs and don't notice much noise, but maybe that is because I've already lost a lot of my hearing.

[Water Warrior 2]

I wear a full face helmet in cool and cold weather and I never wear ear plugs and don't notice much noise, but maybe that is because I've already lost a lot of my hearing.
Hmm, not good, hearing protection will help save what's left.

[alanmcorcoran]

One thing I want to warn you about... Losing your hearing is not good, but what is even worse is developing tinnitus, which I prefer to think of as losing your silence. I am not sure of the relationship between riding the Strat and the low level, near constant ringing in my ears, but I have already permanently lost some of my "silence." So far, I only notice it when it's supposed to be silent but, once you have it, it can be very maddening. Since it is essentially "hearing" things that are not there, I suspect it does not go away, even if your hearing does.

That being said, I have not got into the habit of ear plugs for shorter (and sometimes, longer) rides. I don't think the GZ is that loud. The Strat definitely is, especially on freeways.

[patrick_777]

It's mainly the wind noise that is the problem with smaller (quieter) bikes. A helmet actually amplifies it sometimes too. I like to wear them when I ride the Shadow because it's damned loud, both on the highway and off, but I haven't bothered much with the Ninja or the SV lately. I changed the exhaust of the Ninja back to stock, so it's very nearly silent running.

The SV has a Yosh aftermarket, but it's baffled well and pretty quiet unless you really open it up.

I also don't worry about wearing them on the GZ, mainly because I'm trolling around country roads at < 45.

[Water Warrior 2]

One thing I want to warn you about... Losing your hearing is not good, but what is even worse is developing tinnitus, which I prefer to think of as losing your silence. I am not sure of the relationship between riding the Strat and the low level, near constant ringing in my ears, but I have already permanently lost some of my "silence." So far, I only notice it when it's supposed to be silent but, once you have it, it can be very maddening. Since it is essentially "hearing" things that are not there, I suspect it does not go away, even if your hearing does.

That being said, I have not got into the habit of ear plugs for shorter (and sometimes, longer) rides. I don't think the GZ is that loud. The Strat definitely is, especially on freeways.
Started loosing my silence about 30 years ago. Tinnitus will drive you half nuts on ocassions. I never have a totally soundless moment, there is always the ringing in my head. Loud jobs, loud music, loud cars will do that to you. Air compressors, electric kitchen equipment all have an accummulating effect that not everyone is aware of in day to day living. Oh here's one, sound effects from games and such. Some are very harsh on the hearing.
So please be careful and protect your hearing. I can think of a lot of things I would have done differently when younger but of course you can't turn back time.

[dhgeyer]

A lot of it depends on speed, of course, as has been pointed out. It also depends on your windshield configuration. A tall shield with lowers, or any kind of full fairing with a tall windshield will cut the noise down to a safe level with or without the plugs, even at highway speeds. You have to use a little judgment about your setup. If it's pretty quiet, you'll be alright.

I've used full face, half, and three quarter helmets, and I don't think it makes much difference with respect to noise. If your head is in a lot of wind in excess of about 50mph or so, you need plugs if you want to protect your hearing.

A full face helmet with good quality disposable plugs will not cut your ability to hear traffic or other ambient noise any more than sitting in a car with the windows closed.

[blaine]

Ear muffs keep wind out witch bothers me a lot.with plugs can`t hear traffic.Just my prefence.