Hearing Protection
- Thread starter Red-On-Rockwell
- Start date
For the best in class in that regards look at some custom cit In Ear Monitors (IEMs). Block the road noise and put the music right in your ear. Bought some a year+ ago and love 'em. (I need to do a write-up.)
I've been using -33db foam earplugs for years now. Some fit better than others. It depends on your ear canal size and the size of the foam earplugs. The compressibility of the foam is another factor.
I used Moldex 6800's for years. They work well. The last ones I picked up are the Moldex 6620. They have just as much sound deadening, but seem a little softer. I can wear either for 10 hours or more.
Others from Harbor Freight for instance, just don't fit right. They are narrower and harder. It's hard to get a good seal with them, and the ear canal hurts after awhile.
One advantage you'll find with foam earplugs is when the wax starts getting gross...just leave them on your bike somewhere visible. No one will mess with the bike.
Chris
I used Moldex 6800's for years. They work well. The last ones I picked up are the Moldex 6620. They have just as much sound deadening, but seem a little softer. I can wear either for 10 hours or more.
Others from Harbor Freight for instance, just don't fit right. They are narrower and harder. It's hard to get a good seal with them, and the ear canal hurts after awhile.
One advantage you'll find with foam earplugs is when the wax starts getting gross...just leave them on your bike somewhere visible. No one will mess with the bike.
Chris
DavidR8
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I also use Howard Leights and am very happy with them. Comfortable for hours and great attenuation.
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Westone ES60 was what I bought, I'll try to get something wrote up and pictures out this weekend. That particular model might be a little pricey for some budgets (I did pay with pre-tax dollars from my health insurance Flex account).
They do have lower cost models that use the same custom fit ear housing, cables and accessories, just different drivers and crossover networks.
Whats the noise level in DBs inside a typical helmet with the ST1300?
i have to listen to a 2-way radio, so i dont know if i can wear earplugs
i have to listen to a 2-way radio, so i dont know if i can wear earplugs
I use 3M E-A-R TaperFit 2 / Large earplugs. They fit one ear well the other not so much. The large end is .5" dia. They fit one ear well but not the other. I've got a small batch of 3M's barrel foam plugs coming and will see how they fit/work.
A lot of guys here say that Senas and other in-ear speakers are loud enough that they hear well. Just to a test flight.
Usually too high to not wear ear plugs.
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
Wearing 32 NRR ear plugs I can hear whatever is coming through my Sena headset over the wind noise of speeds up to at least 75 MPH wearing a Shoei Neotec modular helmet. I get the impression most of your escort work would be at lower speeds so I don't think that you would have any problem.
DavidR8
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I wear an HJC CL-17 outfitted with a Sena SMH-10 and have a stock screen.
I use Howard Leight Laser Lite foam plugs rated at 32 NRR.
We can easily talk at 75 mph. Correct placement of the speakers is essential to achieving full potential of the system.
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I use Howard Leight Laser Lite foam plugs rated at 32 NRR.
We can easily talk at 75 mph. Correct placement of the speakers is essential to achieving full potential of the system.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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The Sena20s and it’s speakers work fine in a open modular helmet, even better ambient noise reduction when closed.
I dont think i would hear the radio well well if I used any ear plugs. When not using the Sena, I never noticed the sound level being so bad. Then again I play rock kinda high when cruising in the Vette, which is kinda loud itself compare to family sedans.
Maybe for long long long trips the bikes sound level would eventually grind you down with noise
I dont think i would hear the radio well well if I used any ear plugs. When not using the Sena, I never noticed the sound level being so bad. Then again I play rock kinda high when cruising in the Vette, which is kinda loud itself compare to family sedans.
Maybe for long long long trips the bikes sound level would eventually grind you down with noise
John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
Don't guess, do yourself a priceless favor and just try it. You'll hear the important sounds and be able to actually turn the volume down. And you'll arrive at your destination far less fatigued, not to mention having preserved your precious hearing. JMNSHO, but riding without adequate hearing protection is self-abuse, knowingly permanently destroying your hearing. The Army damaged my hearing and I'll never get it back... Save yours now, for yourself AND your loved ones in the not too distant future. Please.
Edit: anyone doubting me, run to your nearest certified audiologist and get a baseline test/evaluation of your current hearing now. Trust me.
John [on/off soapbox]
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+1 JohnO, if you've got good hearing then use plugs to protect it. Riding service bikes ruined mine well before fitted earplugs were in use.
The radio from the service bikes was obviously plumbed straight into the helmet on both sides. Why ruin just one ear? At a standstill with the engine running you could turn the radio to its lowest setting and it would be crystal. When running at high speed with wailers etc you could turn the radio to flat out and you still couldn't hear it, don't underestimate road noise, it is very very loud.
This experience was on both LT1100's with electric screens when they worked and ST11's with fixed higher screens.
If you were stationary and put the radio flat out it would hurt your ears it was that loud, multiply this volume by 100's or 1000's of hours and voilà , sorry what did you say, yes it's 7 o'clock etc.
Upt'North.
The radio from the service bikes was obviously plumbed straight into the helmet on both sides. Why ruin just one ear? At a standstill with the engine running you could turn the radio to its lowest setting and it would be crystal. When running at high speed with wailers etc you could turn the radio to flat out and you still couldn't hear it, don't underestimate road noise, it is very very loud.
This experience was on both LT1100's with electric screens when they worked and ST11's with fixed higher screens.
If you were stationary and put the radio flat out it would hurt your ears it was that loud, multiply this volume by 100's or 1000's of hours and voilà , sorry what did you say, yes it's 7 o'clock etc.
Upt'North.
As I recall not a single person on earth has ever liked my recommendations but,,,,as for custom ear plugs. Radians custom molded ear plugs are great. If they get dirty leave them in a pants pocket during the wash. I've even made my own custom molded earbuds with these things. They come in two separate "Play Dough" compounds you mix, insert in your ears, allow them to cure and set to the desired shape. Best trick is to have your mouth open, jaw relaxed/extended to insure a tight fit. Like Siri says, Check it out. https://www.amazon.com/Radians-CEP0...=8-3&keywords=radians+custom+molded+ear+plugs
Not to insult ya, but grinding you down with noise is happening over the long term, not just a few hours ride, but the years you spend on the bike. A little damage here, a little damage there, it adds up as years go by. Carpenters are all in for surprises when they get older and find how much damage the hammer sounds have taken their toll. But it's just a quick burst of sound, yes, quick burst sustained over time is doing damage too.
Every motorcyclist should be using ear plugs, just the air pressure thumps in the turbulence behind the windscreen are doing the damage.
Using ear plugs you'll still hear the radio pretty much the same, your muting down the road noise and the squawk box.
Wow, they do look impressive, but yeah they're little out of my price range. I am looking to get something in a customs earbud simply because I find most earbuds uncomfortable and they won't let you try them in a store before you dish out the money for them so as of now I don't have a good set. Thinking of trying the Fuze brand simply because they're cheap and if they're no hell, I'm not a lot of money. it's hard to find anybody reviewing middle of the road ones for a couple hundred or three hundred bucks
T-C you hit the hammer right on the nail. Your ears are under constant attack. Wind noise, construction noise, not legal exhaust on cars, trucks and motorcycle. Police sirens, gun shots etc. We have EPA noise laws but no one enforces it. I have a neighbor that has ultra loud magnaflows on his Dodge ram pickup. I wonder does that Idiot know what he's doing to his hearing? Probably doesn't care.
MajorTom
QuickBlue
It's been close to 30 years now since the audiology nurse at work asked if I'd worked a lot around heavy machinery. I told her no, but I ride a motorcycle, does that count? She proceeded to show me the drop off in my hearing right at the frequency where people talk. I'd never noticed it, but started wearing ear plugs from that day onwards. I notice the problem a lot more now that I'm older, especially in noisy environments (think crowded restaurant, or bar) where voices get lost in the ambient noise. I wish I'd started wearing ear plugs earlier.