Ear plugs and full lids...
 

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.

Re: Ear plugs and full lids...
 

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.

Re: Ear plugs and full lids...
 

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.

Re: Ear plugs and full lids...
 

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

or these..

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=421214

they only cancel 10 dcb.

Re: Ear plugs and full lids...
 

That's good, but , Whad you say?

Seriously, those could be very helpful.

Re: Ear plugs and full lids...
 

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

Re: Ear plugs and full lids...
 

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.

Re: Ear plugs and full lids...
 

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.

Re: Ear plugs and full lids...
 

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.

Re: Ear plugs and full lids...
 

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