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dentheman
03-09-2012, 08:59 PM
EARPLUGS! After going on a few rides at highway speeds, the wind noise from my helmet convinced me I need to get earplugs before I go on another ride. That hiss/roar of wind will cause permanent hearing loss, and I want to continue to enjoy music and conversation.

When safety gear is mentioned, most will think of helmet, gloves, etc., but earplugs usually aren't mentioned, even in motorcyling books.

I will go earplug shopping in the morning, so I can ride in a couple days when it is supposed to get warmer.

blaine
03-09-2012, 09:13 PM
Excellent post! Also one of the reasons I use a windshield. :cool: :2tup:

Water Warrior 2
03-10-2012, 12:09 AM
Ear plugs are part of my regular riding gear. They are cheap and easy to replace when they get dirty or lost. I always have spares on the bike just in case. Give them to other riders when you can too.
Having been in some dicussions and my own experience in the past about wearing ear plugs I have a few things to say. They will improve your ability to hear other vehicles around you. They will prevent rider fatigue from high levels of noise. You can find earplugs that are comfy. The 1st pair you try may not be the most comfy so have a 2nd go at it. I can hear Lynda much better over our radios with earplugs.
If need be, a custom made set of ear plugs is a small investment in your hearing health. Don't wait till your hearing or lack of hearing is like mine.
Occupational Health and Safety standards exist for a reason. Hearing is addressed for a reason.

dentheman
03-10-2012, 12:30 AM
Ear plugs are part of my regular riding gear. They are cheap and easy to replace when they get dirty or lost. I always have spares on the bike just in case. Give them to other riders when you can too.
Having been in some dicussions and my own experience in the past about wearing ear plugs I have a few things to say. They will improve your ability to hear other vehicles around you. They will prevent rider fatigue from high levels of noise. You can find earplugs that are comfy. The 1st pair you try may not be the most comfy so have a 2nd go at it. I can hear Lynda much better over our radios with earplugs.
If need be, a custom made set of ear plugs is a small investment in your hearing health. Don't wait till your hearing or lack of hearing is like mine.
Occupational Health and Safety standards exist for a reason. Hearing is addressed for a reason.
In the past I have used the foam earplugs when shooting and when working around jet engines and they worked well for me, so that is where I will begin. I do have a set of the rubbery military type earplugs, but they are the wrong size and do nothing to attenuate noise for me; they are small (green), I take medium (orange). I might end up with that style, but for now I will use the foam plugs that can be found just about anywhere and are 'one size fits all'. I also have a set of 'in ear' earphones that I might try, they work well at blocking noise when I listen to music, so they might work on a motorcycle.

ADDED: I just put in the earphones and tried my helmet on, no problem, it works. But there is that cord hanging down, and anything rubbing on the cord, or wind blowing on it, transfers right into my ears. I will stick with actual earplugs, "Use the right tool for the job" after all.

alantf
03-10-2012, 07:09 AM
I just remove my hearing aids (industrial deafness) before putting on my helmet, & hey presto - the really loud noise has gone. :)

dentheman
03-11-2012, 07:01 PM
I bought some foam earplugs, but the one in my left ear kept backing out, so I found some Winchester brand rubbery earplugs at WalMart, and they work well. They were corded and had shafts that I knew would touch the inside of my helmet, so I cut the shafts off about half length which also got rid of the cord. Then I went for a ride (I just returned).

It was not the best day for a ride. The wind was gusting to 35, but I found the earplugs to be very effective. My ears are not ringing like they were before using the plugs. The wind noise was cut significantly, but a new issue was introduced, it is that I do not hear the engine/pipes like before, so gear shifting was affected. The engine being so quiet made me sort of nervous, as if I was going for my first ride again. I'm sure I will adjust to this new sensation, but it was something I didn't expect.

Rookie Rider
03-11-2012, 08:04 PM
I always wear my earplugs especially with the half helmet. And i always have an extra pair or two under the seat. 67 tomorrow, wooo hooooooo, im riding !!

Water Warrior 2
03-11-2012, 08:23 PM
The engine being so quiet made me sort of nervous, as if I was going for my first ride again. I'm sure I will adjust to this new sensation, but it was something I didn't expect.
Never fear. You will adjust to the new noise level and be glad your ears are protected. The engine noise is still there and you probably were expecting it to be louder. A couple more rides and the old familiar but muted GZ will rear it's head.

dentheman
03-11-2012, 08:36 PM
The engine being so quiet made me sort of nervous, as if I was going for my first ride again. I'm sure I will adjust to this new sensation, but it was something I didn't expect.
Never fear. You will adjust to the new noise level and be glad your ears are protected. The engine noise is still there and you probably were expecting it to be louder. A couple more rides and the old familiar but muted GZ will rear it's head.
Shadow Spirit. I know I will adjust; I also noticed I was approaching turns too fast and riding too fast overall.

Water Warrior 2
03-11-2012, 08:47 PM
Oops, I should have checked on the left side of the page.

greatmaul
03-26-2012, 10:55 AM
yeah, late to the party, but wanted to 2nd (or 10th) the earplug recommendation. When I first started riding I didn't use them, and I got the strangest ringing in my ears when I was at work. That was enough for me. I did feel odd at first, and everything sounded strange, but now I can't/won't ride without them.

Water Warrior 2
03-26-2012, 11:45 AM
yeah, late to the party, but wanted to 2nd (or 10th) the earplug recommendation. When I first started riding I didn't use them, and I got the strangest ringing in my ears when I was at work. That was enough for me. I did feel odd at first, and everything sounded strange, but now I can't/won't ride without them.
The ringing is Tinnitus. I've had it for over 40 years. If yours went away you are very lucky. Hearing damage like Tinnitus is usually permanent.

PimpS
03-26-2012, 04:18 PM
Geeez, from all the concerts i'm on, my bike sounds great to me, I pnly have earplugs from my mp3 player ;) I'll consider and try it once with earplugs... You never know when it's too late...

greatmaul
03-26-2012, 06:09 PM
The ringing is Tinnitus. I've had it for over 40 years. If yours went away you are very lucky. Hearing damage like Tinnitus is usually permanent.

Sorry to hear about the tinnitus. I was worried about it at first but my helmet seemed fairly quiet and I have a big windshield. Once I heard that little ringing, though, it was all earplugs all the time. It was just a tiny ringing here and there, and only briefly, but you're right, once there is hearing damage, it's permanent.

dentheman
03-26-2012, 07:49 PM
I have had mild tinnitus for years, not noticeable if there is some other noise but noticeable in the quiet. It is not bad enough to bother me, but when I rode those few times without earplugs it did get louder for an hour or so before quieting back down.

If I have a few beers the ringing gets louder.

blaine
03-26-2012, 09:20 PM
I too have tinnitus.I'm some what the same,that it's not too bad if I'm not in total quietness.I always leave a radio on at night to keep the ringing from driving me nuts.
:) :retard:

burkbuilds
03-26-2012, 10:25 PM
I didn't like the foam earplugs, they just felt weird to me, but since I swim laps I have some small rubber ear plugs to keep the water out and a few years ago I found

them to work well when I chaperoned a bunch of teenagers at a concert, so I started using them when riding and they work great, are comfortable, and cheap and they

stay in until I pull them out. You can find them with the swimming supplies at Wal-mart or probably any sporting goods store. Just thought I'd throw another alternative

out there.

Water Warrior 2
03-27-2012, 12:37 AM
:2tup: :2tup:

alantf
03-27-2012, 08:25 AM
My audiologist sells ear plugs that are made to measure (by taking a mould, just like he does for hearing aids) Don't know how expensive they are, but if they're as comfortable as my hearing aids,they'll be fine. :)

cayuse
03-28-2012, 02:20 AM
We use Howard Leight Laser-lites at work and I found them to work very well on the bike. Great noise attenuation and very comfortable. I found the Max style to be even quieter but they are harder to find around here.
I never ride without ear plugs.
http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/laser-lite