Earplugs - do ya use them?

[Jedi]

Last couple of rides I've gotten off the bike after some highway riding and my hearing was definately affected. I haven't gotten comfortable with riding with the ipod yet - mountin bike, yeah - but not on the bike in traffic. Need my attention for other things right now

I tried some cheapy tethered plugs that I use at the range but they kept sqiggling out and that's a pain in the ass with a helmet on.

If you use them, what do you use? Cheapy or the form fit? Anyone use noise-cancellation plugs?

[Monsoon X]

Last couple of rides I've gotten off the bike after some highway riding and my hearing was definately affected. I haven't gotten comfortable with riding with the ipod yet - mountin bike, yeah - but not on the bike in traffic. Need my attention for other things right now

I tried some cheapy tethered plugs that I use at the range but they kept sqiggling out and that's a pain in the ass with a helmet on.

If you use them, what do you use? Cheapy or the form fit? Anyone use noise-cancellation plugs?

I've been seriously considering them recently.

[SSMAN]

use the cheap sponge rubber type. They will stay in. I use them every now and then. It's still got a noise, but not near as bad.

[stunter bob]

So.....your saying you want to block out your hearing...on a motorcycle?

If i cant hear...i cant ride..i can tell when someones coming up behind me just by the sound. I cant even ride with an ipod because i need to hear everything around me..i just feel safer that way.

[samuel642000]

So.....your saying you want to block out your hearing...on a motorcycle?

If i cant hear...i cant ride..i can tell when someones coming up behind me just by the sound. I cant even ride with an ipod because i need to hear everything around me..i just feel safer that way.

x2 or until i am out in the country headed to my dads house then i put them in when i get out of the city and onto 2 lane roads

[Jedi]

I use my mirrors like a girl who wants to get laid and I swivel my head like R2D2. My desire is to not ride in silence, just cut down the decibel level a bit.

When I get off the bike, I don't wanna be yelling "HUH?" when someone talks to me in a store or resturant. I certainly don't want my hearing any worse than it is.

[stunter bob]

LOL youll get use to the noise man..just takes time.
Its best to hear your surroundings than to muffle them out.

[dsrtuckteezy]

Your bike must be pretty loud. Mine is really loud and it doesn't bother me with the helmet on.

[GSXRK5]

I use my iphone for music while riding but i've noticed that as i ride i really don't listen to the music. I'm too busy paying attention to the road. But i've never really thought putting in ear plugs.

[gnturboray]

yes,,it will save u a headache latter.

[4DRSS]

No plugs, no music. I want to be 100% aware of my surroundings at all times.

Fuck my hearing lol. Good excuse to ignore my wife down the road :D

[Whitebread]

It fucks with my equilibrium. I can't wear 'em..

[donnie90stang]

I have never worn earplugs while riding, but my bike isnt very loud. I have rode with my mp3 player the last couple of weeks. It really doesnt affect my riding in the least. I have both mirrors and look over both shoulders constantly looking for those that may have creeped past my mirrors (it hasnt happened yet) and into a blind spot. I really should wear a helmet too, but I dont always. :34:

[HobieF3]

So.....your saying you want to block out your hearing...on a motorcycle?


Yes. There was a multi-year study performed in europe on motorcyclist of all types. Originally they were trying to discover if racers hearing was worse than normal riders. As it turned out the wind noise is far louder than the exhaust note and ALL riders suffered noticeable hearing loss after about 10 years give or take.


I started riding with an iPod in 2005? or so. At full blast I can't tell what song is even on at highway speed unless I tuck. So that should tell you how loud the wind noise is.

I wear an Arai which IMO isn't as quiet as a Shoei or AGV, but is quieter than most low end helmets.

I haven't seen a doctor, but a couple friends I ride with have pointed out that I can't hear shit. When I read about that study it explained the type of hearing loss the wind noise creates and it pretty much dead on described my hearing difficulties.

Basically when there is a lot of background noise I have trouble hearing certain frequencies that distinguish different words.

I've been wearing earplugs for a year, just cheap foam ones, hope it keeps it from getting worse.

[HobieF3]

http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_motorcyclefacts.shtml

Motorcycle Facts

Most motorcyclists understand the effects of a "silent killer" which follows them every time they enjoy riding their bikes. Unfortunately, several people still believe the causes of hearing loss are due to how loud the bike sounds, and/or that it affects only the people who do not wear full shell helmets. This is true to a certain degree.

Based on several research studies, the major contributor to hearing loss in the motorcycle industry remains the "silent killer" known as "wind noise." Generically termed as the amount of noise turbulence produced around the head while the rider is in motion. Its inherited consequences result in irreversible hearing loss damage over a period of time when adequate hearing protection is not worn.

Similar to the shooting and aviation industries, if this issue is not addressed correctly from the beginning the amount of exposure to the inner ear is compounded every time the rider ventures out on his/her bike for hours at a time. Constant duration of harmful level noises gradually force the rider into becoming another statistic of the "silent killer."

To put this in perspective, according to OSHA's regulation of industrial noise exposure, an average worker surrounded by levels around 85-90dB for an eight hour day will not exceed the limits of exposure time within a 24 hour period of time.

However, when the sound levels exceed 100dB, your exposure time is reduced to two hours. When sound levels exceed 115dB, your exposure time is drastically reduced to 15 minutes. This puts riding a bike a whole other realm as "wind noise" at highway speeds can measure up to 103dB, or comparable to a running chainsaw. At these levels the rider is not only fatiguing physically from the excess noise exposure, but it also puts him into a position of needing a hearing aid later in life.

Another common ailment of motorcycle riding is a condition known as "Temporary Threshold Shift," commonly referred to as TTS by audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals. TTS is caused by excessive noise exposure for a duration of time, which drops your actual acute hearing pattern to a lower level temporarily. Meaning, your hearing is less than what it was before the initial exposure. Continuous TTS exposure will result in permanent damage.

Everyone has experienced this phenomenon at one time or another, whether it is from going to loud dance halls, or concerts, or even work. Even some of today's movie theatres can cause this to happen, but this is a specific certainty for motorcyclists who disregard adequate hearing protection while riding their bike.

Riding position and style of windshield help in preventing "silent killers" ability to fully be experienced. But even the best helmets on today's marketplace provide little help when considering "wind noise" levels at normal highway speeds. Obviously, this factor is increased in half shell models as well as skullcaps, but the common helmets used in today's marketplace are designed to fit entirely over the head providing a snug fit. These types of helmets have the best attenuation value (reduction in noise) regardless of any airflow modifications done to the outside. But these helmets still produce wind noise readings of 110 to 116dB's, from 35mph to highway speeds. When reflecting back to the comparison chart, 116dB will only be suitable for 15 minutes of riding a day. Not a lot of time to enjoy your hobby.... Is it?

Although there are several versions of hearing protection devices on the market, a custom set of earmolds is still the best answer in suppressing sound. They provide excellent attenuation values and are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. They can even be molded with high-grade transducers, which allow for stereo compatibility or communications. To find out more about these products search under our "Product Links" listed on the navigation bar.

We also suggest checking with your local state officials on the regulations of wearing hearing protection. Several states have motorcycle laws regarding earplug use. For a quick reference, see the AMA web pages on State Motorcycle Laws - http://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/road.asp.

* There is no significant difference in wind noise level as a function of speed, no matter what the helmet brand or model (all being full coverage).
* Neither the riding position nor the brand or style of motorcycle make significant difference in noise level.
* Padding inside the helmet, open or closed vents, or added weather stripping on the helmet to alter flow patterns, does not significantly alter the noise level in a helmet.
* Stopped at a stop light at a busy intersection with your helmet visor closed produces a sound level of 80-90dB SPL. (Lawn mower, loud restaurant levels)
* When not wearing a helmet, the wind noise at highway speed is nearly 10 times greater than when wearing a full coverage helmet.
* Below 30mph, machine, exhaust and environmental noises are heard. Once speeds exceed approximately 30mph, wind noise dominates completely.
* Some helmets resonate at approximately 500Hz, and actually enhance wind noise.
* Legal speeds of 65mph can produce wind noise levels at 103dB SPL, (chainsaw, pneumatic drill). This noise is loud enough to cause TTS in your hearing, tinnitus and permanent ear damage.

[stunter bob]

Id rather hear the noise than not hear those tire screeches behind me at a light

[HobieF3]

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss - What? Say Again?
Listen Up-Unless You Want To Wear Hearing Aids Prematurely, Don't Ignore The Dangers Of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
By Kent Kunitsugu

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

I recently crossed paths with a motorcycling friend whom I hadn't seen in at least 10 years. It was great to see him and good to find that he was still very much into motorcycles. He told me that he commutes to work on a motorcycle almost every day (actually the only way to transport yourself in the sprawling gridlock of Los angeles) and still takes the occasional road trip to a distant destination on two wheels.

During the course of our conversation, though, I noticed that he asked me to repeat my statements every once in a while. We were inside an office building, so the environment wasn't noisy enough to cause problems. And while I'll admit that I probably mumble a word here and there, I haven't had any people tell me that I'm too soft-spoken. Mind you, it wasn't as if I was talking to an elderly person with a poorly functioning hearing aid or anything like that; it was just that his handful of "say again?" requests kind of stuck in my mind after our chat.

As motorcyclists we're bombarded with a lot more environmental noise than other motorists. And continued exposure to that noise can have harmful long-term effects on our hearing. Ironically some of the riders I started out with in my beginner years wore earplugs because their bikes were fairly loud at full bark, and the example they set (the earplugs, not the loud bikes) is one of the reasons I've worn earplugs literally from day one. But interestingly enough, the most damaging din isn't from the source you might initially think.

Back in 1994 two ear specialists from england conducted a hearing test on 44 Grand Prix riders to determine if they suffered from NIHL (noise-induced hearing loss). Almost half of them showed hearing losses much greater than the median for each one's age. "so what?" you say. "I'm not a GP rider." No, but note that this test was conducted in 1994, long before unmuffled MotoGp four-strokes ever made an appearance; muffled two-strokes with a 102-decibel-A (dBA) limit were the mount of choice back then. It was soon determined that the sound responsible for the riders' hearing loss was wind noise. And this was with the latest, trickest, most aerodynamic helmets, many with custom parts for each rider to ensure the best fit.

The two specialists, Andrew Mccombe and J. Binnington, then conducted a very thorough scientific study in 1995 of British street motorcyclists, including the country's motorcycle police. By inserting a tiny microphone next to the rider's ear they were able to measure noise levels accurately, part of which allowed them to determine that wind noise begins to drown out all other sounds once the rider passes 40 mph. At 100 mph, the wind noise level averaged at least 110 dBa for the 10 different helmets measured, which is about the same as listening to a gas-powered chainsaw (and this is with a helmet-imagine how loud it must be without one). Even cruising at 70 mph, wind noise would be about 100 dBa, which OSHA (the federal occupational safety and health administration) noise exposure standards state you can tolerate for a maximum of two hours per dayand that's cumulative, not per exposure-before permanent hearing damage definitely occurs. part of Mccombe and Binnington's study involved having a group of 18 selected riders go through a rigidly controlled test, and all were found to have suffered measurable hearing damage.

"Big deal," some of you are surely saying. "I've been riding for 10 years without earplugs and can hear fine." The problem is that the damage to your hearing is insidious; the most vulnerable parts of your ear are the receptors that handle the higher frequencies of sound that aren't readily noticeable. Everyone has surely experienced temporary hearing loss from deafening noises in the lower frequencies such as fireworks or loud concerts; after an hour or so your hearing returns, giving the impression that permanent hearing loss would involve the same massive deficiencies across the complete hearing frequency range. Unfortunately, noise-induced hearing loss from continued exposure occurs in a much more subtle way. The lost higher frequencies involve the minor inflections of speech that help define spoken language, especially consonants that don't have the louder vocal intonations of vowels, often occurring as the difference between past and present tense or singular and plural. For example, if someone were to speak in a normal tone of voice and environment, would you be able to tell the difference between "happen" and "happened" or "sportbike" and "sportbikes"?

I recall my friend was one of the macho types who felt that earplugs were an unnecessary hassle, and I have the distinct feeling that he may have been suffering from the cumulative effects of NIHL. Because wind noise occurs in the sound frequencies that earplugs are most effective at blocking, they can often reduce the sound level by at least 20 dBa, a very significant amount. Wearing earplugs may seem like a needless chore, but they can go a long way toward preventing you from being fitted up for hearing aids well before your time.

[HobieF3]

Id rather hear the noise than not hear those tire screeches behind me at a light

It won't matter if your deaf ;)

I've already been riding 10 years and a few of those years I rode over 25K miles annually. I plan on riding forever and I don't want this getting any worse. I can still hear at a low speed with the plugs, it's not complete silence. You're just trying to take things down a few decibels, not block out sound entirely. You should just give it a try. If it's not for you then it's not for you, no biggie.

[Txstang1]

Fuck that, I would never use earplugs or listen to an ipod while riding. Way to dangerous in the DFW area as it is, let alone not being able to hear as good as possible.

[HobieF3]

Fuck that, I would never use earplugs or listen to an ipod while riding. Way to dangerous in the DFW area as it is, let alone not being able to hear as good as possible.

Before you knock it, try it. I was skeptical at first too, but it really doesn't change too much on surface streets.

[SSMAN]

Ear plugs don't necessarily make it so you can't hear. They just block out harmful noises at certain levels. Also like posted above it's not about how loud the bike is, it's the wind noise. Only time I will entertain wearing them is on a long highway ride. In town, they don't serve a purpose and like every one says, I like to be acutely aware of what is going on around me. But damn that wind is loud on the highway and has to take a toll on your hearing.

[evil jose]

I've worn ear plugs while riding but mostly on long highway trips. It takes some getting used and it doesn't block out everything. It tends to drown out the loud wind noise I get wearing either my Suomy or Arai helmets (didn't really get it when I wore an HJC).

I've never listened to music while riding and I personally think it would be to much of a distraction to me to ride safe. Hell I wonder how many of you guys are saying how "unsafe" it is to wear ear plugs while riding but have no problems listening to there iPods LOL! I also how many of those same people removed there mirrors because it looks cool :rolleyes:

Plenty of articles out there as HobieF3 as pointed out that talk about long term hear loss due to riding without hearing protection. Most of you guys are young but by the time you start noticing problems it'll be to late. Keep that in mind.

[kc50lx]

I started wearing ear plugs back in 2006 when I would get migraines from the wind noise. I feel that I can stay better focused now bc I'm not in agonizing pain while riding. I can't ride anymore with ear plugs. I feel that it doesnt make me an less safe. I can still hear everything going on around me but the wind noise is much much more bearable than before. I use the following ear plugs:

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100217&navAction=jump&navCount=0&nug=VPD&skuid=sku3177980&id=prod3179147

Get the purple ones as they seem to work best for me. The ear plugs also come with a plastic carrying case to hold the plugs while they are in your pocket. I think you will find riding much more enjoyable with ear plugs!

[PonyFever]

I was on flying status in the USAF when I began riding years ago so I was already conditioned to wear ear plugs under my helmet. I've done so ever since and for an old fart who has ridden a fair share over 30 years, I've still got pretty good hearing. Keep the rubber side down.

[slowimport96]

I've worn ear plugs while riding but mostly on long highway trips. It takes some getting used and it doesn't block out everything. It tends to drown out the loud wind noise I get wearing either my Suomy or Arai helmets (didn't really get it when I wore an HJC).

I've never listened to music while riding and I personally think it would be to much of a distraction to me to ride safe. Hell I wonder how many of you guys are saying how "unsafe" it is to wear ear plugs while riding but have no problems listening to there iPods LOL! I also how many of those same people removed there mirrors because it looks cool :rolleyes:

Plenty of articles out there as HobieF3 as pointed out that talk about long term hear loss due to riding without hearing protection. Most of you guys are young but by the time you start noticing problems it'll be to late. Keep that in mind.


Hey now, I removed my mirrors because they get in the way trackday riding. However it does make it difficult on the street.

[2000 vert]

i ride with an i-pod and i can still stay alert. just do not turn it up too loud.

[NoBikeMike]

I use SilentEar plugs, http://www.silentear.com/.

I also use a Windjammer, article here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/windjammer/helmet-wind-blocker.htm


I tried out most of the different plugs you can buy at Walgreens or Walmart. They were all okay, but I love the SilentEar. You put them in and don't have to worry about them moving around. I can even sleep with them without them falling out in the middle of the night. Fork over the money for the 3-size trial pack, that way you can figure out what size you need.

As for the Windjammer, it takes a little getting used to...the whole cramming your head through a smaller hole, but it does reduce a lot of the sound. I think Motoliberty sells something close to this, but I'd still go with the windjammer. I had to buy it from a UK website, only took about 7-8 days to get here.

Been riding for ten years now and when I started using ear protection, I had the same worries as a lot of riders, "but I won't be able to hear my surroundings?!" There's the rare occasion when I don't hear something come up behind me, but for the most part, I still hear enough to satisfy me. Even with two layers of ear protection, the sound levels aren't reduced to 0, I'd say probably only by half, but that half can save you from hearing loss.

[Jedi]

Thanks, that's just what I was looking for

[Bullitt3246]

I ride with the Iphone and music playing. I listen to it but Im scared of other people so Im ALWAYS watching like no other....

[FastFord19]

I wear a half helmet on my HD. While riding in the city my ears are fine but on the highway, they start to hurt. I am considering trying to use some sort of ear plug but I don't want any that are bright yellow/orange.

[Rlhay2]

Earplugs only suppress noise, they do not cancel out the noise. You can still have a normal conversation with earplugs, you will still hear cars and any other environmental noise.

As a rider coach, it is one of the tools we encourage to help the student ride better. Less noise=less distraction. Check out a CMRA race weekend, you'll see ~95% of the riders using earplugs and ALL the front runners using them.

I you choose to go the custom molded route, most also offer a flesh tone option.

[5111]

I use earplugs on longer rides. Believe it or not, you can actually hear some things better. It cuts down on the drone from the wind noise and exhaust, but allows you to hear other noises distinctly. For example, I never knew that my license plate bracket vibrates against my exhaust at certain rpms until I rode with plugs. I could never hear the little tin sound as it hit without the plugs, but the first time I rode with plugs I instantly heard the sound I looked around until I found it.

[Monsoon X]

Ask someone who's actually used to earplugs or ear protection to work or perform a task (I was in the military and working on airplanes), they do not block out noise and make u feel deaf. They block out excess noise. I'm gonna pick some up this week.

[tazz007]

I've been wearing ear plugs since the 80's. I'm 45 and I hear better than most people do.


I do ride with ear plugs in, and I can hear everything I need to while riding.

But I'm thinking this is a bad idea now..... I have no excuse to not listen to the wife.

[MikeN]

Definately use em

[AnthonyS]

I've logged 80K miles in the saddle give or take a few. I take a hearing test every year for work until last year when I started this job. I have excellent hearing.

I never wear ear plugs when riding. I do have Shoei helmets though. When wearing a cheap helmet, wind noise is way more noticeable than with the full face Shoei.

Sometimes on really long trips I'll use the iPod with the Shoei.

[Whitebread]

I never wear ear plugs when riding. I do have Shoei helmets though. When wearing a cheap helmet, wind noise is way more noticeable than with the full face Shoei.

I just got a Shark RSX helmet, and holy Lord! That thing is comfy even un-broken in, and it is quiet as a mouse pissing on cotton!

I don't wear earplugs as stated above, but maybe this new bucket will help me turn over a new leaf..

[BottleRocket]

I wear sony earbuds with an iPod shuffle. Kills the noise and makes riding more enjoyable.

[4DRSS]

I picked up some plugs at the Wal Mart the other day... haven't ridden with them yet tho. I do know trying them out in the house, I can't hear shit!

[Slowhand]

LOL youll get use to the noise man..just takes time.
Its best to hear your surroundings than to muffle them out.

LOL, that's some ignorant shit. I've got tinnitus from years of playing percussion without ear protection and it's really not pleasant at all; nothing is more uncomfortable to me than a silent room because of the piercing ringing in my ear. I gained little from not using earplugs and now I'm paying the price for it.

Earplugs don't make it impossible to hear, they just muffle sounds that occur at damaging decible levels. You don't need to hear everything at full blast to be able to react to it.

[rednready93]

It won't matter if your deaf ;)

I've already been riding 10 years and a few of those years I rode over 25K miles annually. I plan on riding forever and I don't want this getting any worse. I can still hear at a low speed with the plugs, it's not complete silence. You're just trying to take things down a few decibels, not block out sound entirely. You should just give it a try. If it's not for you then it's not for you, no biggie.




I agree. I have been riding for 15 years and on long trips the small foam "barrell" plugs work great. It's not total silence. You can still hear very well, it just gets rid of alot of the wind noise. The best thing to do is experiment for yourself and find out what works best for you. I rode down to Austin this past weekend and forgot my ear plugs and really regretted it.

[HobieF3]

I rode down to Austin this past weekend and forgot my ear plugs and really regretted it.

I did that once with a relatively loud old school cheap shoei.

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ for hours after getting off the bike.

[4DRSS]

I wore some for the first time on the way to work today, WOW big difference! Soooo much quieter. I like it so far.

I'm curious if I'll be able to hear my girlfriend on the back of the bike, cause these things really work well.