Wear Earplugs!

[kingprawnokay]

Let's shake things up.

I'm tired of reading posts in which people complain about windshield noise, their BT021 front tire being too noisy or selling their TB's because they were too loud. All these posts suggest that, as a group, you're not protecting your ears. You are not wearing proper hearing protection if you can hear your front tire or if the exhaust is too loud. There isn't currently a really loud exhaust on the market for the ST. 33dB reducing earplugs block out almost everything except sirens.

Motorcycle riding is noisy. It doesn't matter what you ride, how good the windshield is, what helmet you're wearing, what exhaust or front tire is fitted. If you don't wear earplugs when you ride, you will lose your hearing. How much hearing is lost is dependent entirely on how long you ride without earplugs.

[curmudgeon]

100% agree. I can't begin to imagine why anybody would ever ride without earplugs. Riding is just so much more pleasant with earplugs. Wind noise is never an issue no matter where you put the windshield. Some day when you have a bad case of Tinnitus you'll be kicking your self in the rear so being so foolish. Bad cases of Tinnitus have driven people to suicide. Picture hearing a very loud swarm of bugs that never quits, and never ever hearing silence again. My first long trip on an ST1100 (9 years ago) was without earplugs, and at the end of the trip I had a slight case of Tinnitus. I decided then and there to never let it get worse. Anything that causes you to have ringing in the ears is causing damage. This includes hammering a nail in tight areas, skill saw, leaf blower, and shop vacuum. I use ear muffs for all of these activities.


Phil

[UNTMatt]

WHAT DID YOU SAY?

[Tor]

sooo, what about my tunes??

[georgeorge]

sooo, what about my tunes??

I've never used earplugs on the bike, but from what I've been told you can still hear the music as good as without the plugs in. Or, like STeveST1300 has, you can get custom molded plugs made with speakers build in for music. I use earmuffs with a built in radio on the heavy equipment here in the campground, though. I've worked in the excavator before without them and my ears would ring for 2 days afterward. Not good. And I should try using plugs on the bike, I know.

[Schavlan]

Funny thing.
As I was looking at the Unread Posts view this morning, this thread showed up right up the above thread titled "Do Loud Pipes Save Lives"
Maybe I'm just in an ironical mood this morning.

[georgeorge]

Funny thing.
As I was looking at the Unread Posts view this morning, this thread showed up right up the above thread titled "Do Loud Pipes Save Lives"
Maybe I'm just in an ironical mood this morning.

WHADYA SAY SONNY!!!

[dond]

I wear custom plugs for music and have speakers in my helmet for CB/GPS. Works for me.

[Mellow]

I use the er6i earbuds and they are nice. You have to push them in far and you initially feel like you're going to push them out the other side of your head but, once you get them in right they are comfortable. If you don't, they will hurt after a short time.

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx

The music sounds great with them on and you can still hear 'things' around you.

[ParkerBill]

I totally agree--ear plugs should be worn when riding. When I first got back into riding a few years ago I didn't wear them--didn't even think about it until I read an article somewhere about how wearing them would reduce wind noise, etc., and enable a rider to ride longer with less fatigue. I tried it--it works and also protects me from additional hearing loss.

I grew up and spent a good part of my life doing a lot of shooting. Unfortunately, back then virtually no one gave any thought to hearing protection for any reason, at least not in the rural area I grew up in.

I have had a fairly mild case of tinnitis (sic) for many years and a severe hearing loss in my left ear, mostly attributable to a severe ear infection I had as a young child. Couple that with years of shooting and riding tractors on the farm and my hearing is already damaged. I now try to take protective measures to keep from damaging it further and ear plugs when I ride is a MUST.

I have small helmet speakers for the Garmin 2720 text to voice turning directions, etc., and I have no trouble hearing them with my very good ear plugs in.

Wear them!!!!!

[uptoblackwood]

sooo, what about my tunes??
Good sound attenuation is critical to saving your hearing while on the bike! The kinds of sounds you need to hear for safety are heard better when wearing the plugs....there are lots of studies about this issue.
As far as "hearing your tunes".....with good sound attenuation you don't have to turn up the volume so loud....you can keep the volume at lower levels because you don't have to hear "over" the background noise.
Shure and Eiomotic make great plugs. Most people can use the plugs out of the package just fine. If you need a custom application to get a good and comfortable fit...there are many companies out there making custom plugs around Shure and Eiomotic plugs.

Save the hearing!!

Best

Forest

[HankSTer]

Must say emphatically!! wear earplugs!!! Agree 100%!!

It really does make the ride much more pleasant. I've walked into stores and could still hear people, etc. Sometimes I would just take one out. It's not a problem at all. I have the basic Hear-o's, can be bought at any drug store, and I think they are rated at 22 npr. They last quite a while but are soft enough to wear for hours no problem.

regards, put yer earplugs in, ;)

[gregj]

If I had been wearing ear plugs the years I rode my VTX with it's crappy w/s, buffeting, noise, etc (and yes I was wearing FF at the time), I probably wouldnt have the tinitius (ringing in the ears) that I do now.

Do yourself a favor, save your hearing, and wear ear plugs, or similar (Shure, Eimotic, etc). I wont ride around the block without my ear plugs.

[RideTN]

we both use the custom molded silicone ear plugs fitted for us at the STAR rally last summer. until then we had worn the regular type of foam ear plugs. with each we listen to our j&m cb2003 and j&m headsets with the only consequence that we had to turn them up but still just as clear. others are right that the end of a long day of riding you do not have the tinnitis (sp) that i used to get many years ago on occasion without plugs.

the silicone ear plugs are supposed to last a minimum of five years.

[pretbek]

Ditto, agree, concur, what they all said.
Hearing loss never gets better, it only gets worse. It is cumulative.

I bought a box of Moldex Purafit 6800 (NRR 33) from the Earplug Store (http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/foearplinlaq.html), which are day-long comfortable. Another type that I tried and liked a lot are the even softer Howard Leight Max-1 (NNR 33).

The Earplug Store conveniently sells sample packs if you want to try out a bunch of plugs before buying a larger quantity.

[Viggo]

I've been riding for over 35 years and never even thought about using earplugs. No one I rode with used them and I had this vague perception they weren't really safe to use becuase you couldn't hear what was going on around you.

Well, earlier this year before starting out on a RTE, the kind gentleman I would be riding with that day tossed me a pair of earplugs (thanks MNWING!). Wow, did I learn what I had been missing. The ride was much more enjoyable. So now I wear them all the time and highly recommend them.

I believe the safety issue I had has been addressed (you can still hear enough for safety, probably more than in a closed cage with the radio on, lol).

It's too bad I came to this so late, my hearing is already somewhat impaired. I can't blame that on just riding though. I used to play in a rock band among other things and I've never done anything to protect my hearing.

[MidLife]

I bought a box of Moldex Purafit 6800 (NRR 33) from the Earplug Store (http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/foearplinlaq.html), which are day-long comfortable. Another type that I tried and liked a lot are the even softer Howard Leight Max-1 (NNR 33).

The Earplug Store conveniently sells sample packs if you want to try out a bunch of plugs before buying a larger quantity.

The Leight Max works great for me too.

Anybody tried the reusable SilentEar (http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/silnatrubear.html)? Wondering about it. Seems to have great review. It is easy to install but for me, provides only little sound attenuation. Wondering if others had same experience with the SilentEar or if it just doesn't fit me?

[dreddd2000]

When I want tunes I wear the Entymotic ER6is. When I don't want tunes (or when cold weather gear means I can't have tunes) I wear 33dB earplugs. I honestly think that the Entymotics have more noise reduction even without the music playing than the normal earplugs do.

I forgot to put my earplugs in before I left for work the other morning and it's amazing how much more fatiguing riding becomes when you have all that noise to contend with as well.

[lorenzell]

I guess I am missing something. I almost never wear hearing protection. I've tried the soft foam ones, but they don't seem to actually reduce the noise hardly at all. I would love to find something that was resonable, but the only thing that for me seems to reduce noise is actual ear muffs or headphones. However, those don't fit in my helmet so good, so my ears go naked.

Fortunately my hearing loss isn't so bad. However, don't ask my wife for her opinion on that question.
Loren Zell

Have a great ride today.

[Mellow]

I guess I am missing something. I almost never wear hearing protection. I've tried the soft foam ones, but they don't seem to actually reduce the noise hardly at all. I would love to find something that was resonable, but the only thing that for me seems to reduce noise is actual ear muffs or headphones. However, those don't fit in my helmet so good, so my ears go naked.

Fortunately my hearing loss isn't so bad. However, don't ask my wife for her opinion on that question.
Loren Zell

Have a great ride today.

That's hard to believe, how are you putting the foam ones in? Are you using the instructions?

[MidLife]

I almost never wear hearing protection. I've tried the soft foam ones, but they don't seem to actually reduce the noise hardly at all.
Have a great ride today.

Loren,

Either

1) The plugs you tried do not fit you
2) Not installed correctly
3) No hearing left to protect.....

[dreddd2000]

I guess I am missing something. I almost never wear hearing protection. I've tried the soft foam ones, but they don't seem to actually reduce the noise hardly at all. I would love to find something that was resonable, but the only thing that for me seems to reduce noise is actual ear muffs or headphones. However, those don't fit in my helmet so good, so my ears go naked.

Fortunately my hearing loss isn't so bad. However, don't ask my wife for her opinion on that question.
Loren Zell

Have a great ride today.

Without music, I use something very much like these. They work well and are comfortable enough for me to wear all day.

[st1300r]

+1 on these. You gave me a pair at NJSTOC. Better than the corded ones I was using from work. :04biker:

Rule of thumb if you have to raise your voice to have a conversation it's too loud. Hearing loss is cumulative.

Ditto, agree, concur, what they all said.
Hearing loss never gets better, it only gets worse. It is cumulative.

I bought a box of Moldex Purafit 6800 (NRR 33) from the Earplug Store (http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/foearplinlaq.html), which are day-long comfortable. Another type that I tried and liked a lot are the even softer Howard Leight Max-1 (NNR 33).

The Earplug Store conveniently sells sample packs if you want to try out a bunch of plugs before buying a larger quantity.

[Mean]

I bought the sample pack from these guys.

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/unfoamtrialp.html

Found the ones that I like the most and will be ordering a bunch of them very soon.

And in terms of hearing stuff around you, I was riding in the Interstate one day, and I could clearly hear the tire hum from a pickup truck that started passing me on my right. He wasn't in my mirrors so it was a good thing.

Without plugs, it is like someone standing on your shoulder and screaming in your ears the whole ride. And I mean riding WITHOUT the wife. ;) Not very pleasant except for very short trips.

G

[st1300r]

Usually they just smack you on the back of the helmet. Sort of a human rev. limiter.

[Imrubicon]

But are not motorcycles in genral 100 to 105 or less so wouldnt it be within limits for the 20 min ride each to work ?
I was reading a chart made by your profession and it said exposure to 90 to 100 was within limits for arounds a hour a day .
I do try to wear ear plugs when riding but then I have to admit the years spent with a loud stereo in the car and too many concerts/Bands didnt help much either .

The point Im trying to make is most people in the hearing biz seem tpo pretty much want the rest of us to wear ear plugs almost 24/7 and that is asking too much just like we should all eat only healthy food or only drink water .
Just is not going to happen for a lot of people .
Living Life seems to always get in the way of living healthy and doing whats best for ourselves.
Kind of like ATGATT we cant say its not the best practice but many of us (motorcycle riders) dont and thats ok as we can only control ourselves

[dreddd2000]

But are not motorcycles in genral 100 to 105 or less so wouldnt it be within limits for the 20 min ride each to work ?
I was reading a chart made by your profession and it said exposure to 90 to 100 was within limits for arounds a hour a day .
I do try to wear ear plugs when riding but then I have to admit the years spent with a loud stereo in the car and too many concerts/Bands didnt help much either .

The point Im trying to make is most people in the hearing biz seem tpo pretty much want the rest of us to wear ear plugs almost 24/7 and that is asking too much just like we should all eat only healthy food or only drink water .
Just is not going to happen for a lot of people .
Living Life seems to always get in the way of living healthy and doing whats best for ourselves.
Kind of like ATGATT we cant say its not the best practice but many of us (motorcycle riders) dont and thats ok as we can only control ourselves

The motorcycle may only be 100 dBs, but the wind is what messes with your hearing...

"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."

Taken from this site....http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_motorcyclefacts.shtml

[John Anthony]

I guess I am missing something. I almost never wear hearing protection. I've tried the soft foam ones, but they don't seem to actually reduce the noise hardly at all. I would love to find something that was resonable, but the only thing that for me seems to reduce noise is actual ear muffs or headphones. However, those don't fit in my helmet so good, so my ears go naked.

Fortunately my hearing loss isn't so bad. However, don't ask my wife for her opinion on that question.
Loren Zell

Have a great ride today.

I got a custom set of plugs from the audiologist at my HMO. Very comfortable and you can get different styles that offer different options for attenuation. Cost me about $100. I've also got a set of ER 6i's and use the silicone covers with the little fin thingies. Those work great. I also got a set of plugs set up for sounds from Marilyn (http://www.plugup.com/index.php) that also work great.

Screw up your hearing and it can't be fixed, so spending a few bucks on decent protection is a good investment.

John

[kingprawnokay]

Wow! Great responses. I'm glad that so many here wear ear protection. I am, however, still worried about the people that haven't chimed in.

I find it interesting that hundreds of dollars are spent on helmets, jackets, boots and gloves, but many motorcyclists never spend a couple bucks to protect their hearing because no one informs them about the risk of hearing loss when they buy their first bike.

[gregj]

But are not motorcycles in genral 100 to 105 or less so wouldnt it be within limits for the 20 min ride each to work ?
I was reading a chart made by your profession and it said exposure to 90 to 100 was within limits for arounds a hour a day .
I do try to wear ear plugs when riding but then I have to admit the years spent with a loud stereo in the car and too many concerts/Bands didnt help much either .

The point Im trying to make is most people in the hearing biz seem tpo pretty much want the rest of us to wear ear plugs almost 24/7 and that is asking too much just like we should all eat only healthy food or only drink water .
Just is not going to happen for a lot of people .
Living Life seems to always get in the way of living healthy and doing whats best for ourselves.
Kind of like ATGATT we cant say its not the best practice but many of us (motorcycle riders) dont and thats ok as we can only control ourselves


I think it's more about the effects from the wind buffeting, than the noise. At least that's my experience.

[gnorts]

I always wear earplugs. I went to a safety supply store and bought a box of 200 pairs of the Howard Leight 'Max' orange foam plugs. I had trouble getting them fully inserted at first, but then I learned how to do it: when I'm ready to insert the compressed plug into my left ear, I reach over my head with my right hand and pull up on the top of my ear, which straightens out the ear canal and the plug goes in farther and easier. Repeat for the other ear and I'm good to go. Takes about 10 seconds.

[Blrfl]

+1 on the Howard Leight Maxes. One thing I discovered about them is that I get a better fit if I don't squinch* them down into a fine point. Two or three rolls between the fingers and in the ear they go.

--Mark

*Highly technical term.

[gregj]

I wear the re-usable mushroom style plugs from Home Depot, like these.

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImage/e1980031-16a8-4c7f-ade6-9bccff1367a9_300.jpg

I could never get the foam ones to fit quite right.

[gnorts]

I wear the re-usable mushroom style plugs from Home Depot, like these.

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImage/e1980031-16a8-4c7f-ade6-9bccff1367a9_300.jpg

I could never get the foam ones to fit quite right.

Everybody's different, eh? I could never get that type to work well.

[dreddd2000]

actually, gregj, those are exactly what I'm using right now. I just couldn't remember the brand, so I took the first picture that was close to the style. :P My bad.

[MikeP1300]

I started wearing ear plugs when I got the ST1300 in '04. I was pleased to find as an added benefit, the intercom and music sounded BETTER with the ear plugs. I guess most of the undesirable stuff is filtered out and since the speakers are so close to the ear, that's what you hear.

All I know is, if I want to enjoy my music I have to wear ear plugs.

[gregj]

I've always wondered what motor officers do? I'm sure they dont use ear plugs, as they would definately be a potential hinderance or safety hazard. How can they ride 8 hrs a day, or longer, wearing half or 3/4 helmets, and NOT get tinnitius???

[Imrubicon]

The motorcycle may only be 100 dBs, but the wind is what messes with your hearing...

"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."

Taken from this site....http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_motorcyclefacts.shtml

As you just stated the 30 min ride to work and home is within the safe area .So to me you just proved that earplugs are not needed for short rides in town . Though I know it adds up during the day the ride in is safe within standards to not need earplugs :eek:

I am hoping that you understand I know that on a 8 hour day you need plugs but to be real not on the way to qwork and back as you are in the safe zone
Or did you mean something else than you worte or showed a link to ? ???????????

[dreddd2000]

Gregj, semi-off-topic, but related. One of the apartments near mine had an alarm going off the other day. I flagged down a cop to check the alarm. (One just happened to be driving past.) I could hear the alarm clear as day. He could barely hear it if he got right up to the apartment window. Maybe the DO get tinnitis. :O

Turns out it was her smoke alarm. She'd gotten drunk, passed out and torched the tater tots she was cooking. Glad I'll be moving soon. :P

[STindy05]

I've always wondered what motor officers do? I'm sure they dont use ear plugs, as they would definately be a potential hinderance or safety hazard. How can they ride 8 hrs a day, or longer, wearing half or 3/4 helmets, and NOT get tinnitius???

Odds are they dont ride 8 hours a day. Around here you see them at the side of the road running radar more than riding. And when they pull someone over they dont get on the bike either, just walk out into traffic and point you to pull over. Their bike just sits there with the lights on at all times.

[dreddd2000]

As you just stated the 30 min ride to work and home is within the safe area .So to me you just proved that earplugs are not needed for short rides in town . Though I know it adds up during the day the ride in is safe within standards to not need earplugs :eek:

I am hoping that you understand I know that on a 8 hour day you need plugs but to be real not on the way to qwork and back as you are in the safe zone
Or did you mean something else than you worte or showed a link to ? ???????????

Not meaning to tweak anyone here. I'm just discussing and debating, NOT meaning to cause offense anywhere.

The decibel scale is logarithmic. 10dB is 10 times louder than 0dB (threshhold of healthy human hearing). 20dB is 100 times louder than 0dB and so on. So 100dB is safe for 2 hours. But since the scale is logarithmic, safe time does not decrease in a smooth line. But rather falls off in a curve more like half a parabola. Hearing damage is cumulative too. So that time you spend riding each day, the time you spend listening to loud music, the car horn that goes off right beside you, they all add up for daily exposure.

I know I listen to my music too loud at times. I know that riding is too loud most of the time. I know that I want to be able to hear when (if?) I ever have grandchildren. I know that 3 hours of riding with no ear plugs and I'm VERY tired for a while; whereas 3 hours of riding with hearing protection and I'm still ready for more.

It's all relative and it's all a judgement call. For a few bucks a year and a few seconds spent before each ride, I'll play on the safe side and wear the protection.

Hey, it's only my opinion, but the experts say that my chosen hobby/means of transport has certain hazards inherent to it, and I'll do what I can to minimize them. YMMV. :-D

[therider]

Bill, sorry to know about your hearing loss. I caught some measles at 1.5 yrs of age which took out 80-85% of my hearing from both ears. It is a magic I learnt to speak and have no issues with that. I too have had my share of firecrackers, hammering nails and toy pistols without ear protection (back then we had no idea). Now I remember I used to have tinnitus after those loud activities :( ... now I ride locally without earplugs but put them on for any stretch of freeway and long trips. Much comfortable and peaceful. Nowadays silence is the rarest commodity on earth, so a ride with plugs on is a great way to meditate.

[leveredge]

I wear the soft silicone ear plugs you can buy at the drug store. I take two or three pairs with me and if I drop one in the sand or whatever I'll just toss it away. I usually wear the ear plugs if it's going to be a longer ride. Just going to town etc. sometimes I don't bother. The ST13 is a lot quieter with the windscreen up than my cruiser was. With the windscreen down on the ST13 the wind noise is quite a bit with my HJC full face. That helmet is noisy. I might get a different helmet.

[Imrubicon]

Not meaning to tweak anyone here. I'm just discussing and debating, NOT meaning to cause offense anywhere.

The decibel scale is logarithmic. 10dB is 10 times louder than 0dB (threshhold of healthy human hearing). 20dB is 100 times louder than 0dB and so on. So 100dB is safe for 2 hours. But since the scale is logarithmic, safe time does not decrease in a smooth line. But rather falls off in a curve more like half a parabola. Hearing damage is cumulative too. So that time you spend riding each day, the time you spend listening to loud music, the car horn that goes off right beside you, they all add up for daily exposure.

I know I listen to my music too loud at times. I know that riding is too loud most of the time. I know that I want to be able to hear when (if?) I ever have grandchildren. I know that 3 hours of riding with no ear plugs and I'm VERY tired for a while; whereas 3 hours of riding with hearing protection and I'm still ready for more.

It's all relative and it's all a judgement call. For a few bucks a year and a few seconds spent before each ride, I'll play on the safe side and wear the protection.

Hey, it's only my opinion, but the experts say that my chosen hobby/means of transport has certain hazards inherent to it, and I'll do what I can to minimize them. YMMV. :-D


Sorry I didn’t mean to sound like I was tweaked LOL
It’s the overzealous ones that I feel are doing a disservice to the rest of us . but most get on the kick of you are killing yourself if you don’t wear plugs ,You are killing yourself if you so much as sit on a motorcycle without full armor on .
The whole thing I was trying to get at is the morning commute is not very damaging to your hearing by its self .In fact if that adds enough to your damage to cause you permanent damage then you have other areas that need plugs also .
It is safer to go ATGATT but it’s also a choice we each make .
If someone decides to wear a ¾ helmet I’m glad that person is wearing a helmet . I can’t say it’s as safe as a full face but it’s a helmet.
Same thing with ear plugs , some wear them some never wear them it’s whatever works for you .;)


Sorry for the long rant please excuse my moment of rant and return to your normal program

[EJ's 97ST]

I have worn ear protection for many years while riding different bikes, but here in the last say....6 or 8 years I've worn them for all the yard stuff I do, leaf blower, gas weedwacker,sitdown mower. I use to listen to music while doing the yard stuff but then decided that I had to play the music loud enough I couldn't hear what I was using :nuts1: :nuts1:(stereo). Anyway I have below average hearing for what is suppose to be at my age....certain tone's are not recognizable,( results from last test), but wanna protect whats left. I'm using what they do here at work called Laser Lite which are foam that ya roll in yer figers and stuff lightly in and they expand very well and are pretty comfy for quite a while. I'm looking at some of the custom stuff so I can hear tunes on the road, but jus for commuting? ....na!

Ride safe....EJ :D

[st11ray]

+1 on earplugs. The only problem I have with them is that I tend to go ~10mph faster if I don't watch the speedo!

[kooler2]

Didn't wear plugs for thirty years on a bike then one day because of a friends recommendations, had some custom ones made up...BLOODY EXCELLENT thats all I can say. Any one who doesn't ride with plugs is a ??????????well what more can I say

[drmedak]

I am on the "Wear Earplugs" bandwagon as well. They help reduce fatigue, and increase the ability to hear such things as emergency vehicles. And lets not forget the most important advantage...they increase my overall enjoyment of riding.

The ones I usually get are from the KMart pharmacy section under the name Flents. They are a 33dB plug that look just like Howard Leight MAXs. They are quiet and comfortable. I can notice a difference in noise level when I wear the 33dB plugs versus 29dB plugs. I inherited a big box of 3M 29dB plugs from my dad and I use them running the mower and on short trips, but I always try to use the 33s on long trips.

Jim

[cmguerrero]

I use the bullet shaped foam rubber kind that you squeeze, insert and let expand inside of ear. They're great and for me, it's the only way to ride. I must admit that it has improved the quality of the ride by far.
However, if someone decides not to wear plugs while riding, well, that fine with me too.

[DixieFlyer]

Spent my whole working career (34 years) in a high noise environment around turbine aircraft on the ground and around the support equipment that services them. Am now paying the price for casual use of hearing protection in my youth -- loss of a good bit of my high frequency hearing, tinnitus, etc. Am fairly sure I'll need hearing aids as I get older. Although it's now too little too late I wear ear plugs or muffs for ALL high noise activities -- chainsaws, leaf blowers, wood working tools, and especially riding my ST. I consider ATGATT to include my ears....

[ST/SV]

Never worn them. When my sons started riding a few years ago they were talking about how much wind noise they got on there crotch rockets. They started using them. Oldest son keeps preaching to me to use them. We'll go for a ride and he hands me a pair but have always had trouble getting them in, they would fall out when I took my helmet off. I'm going to keep trying but I'll probably be one of the hearing aid bunch.

[CDNolddude]

I never found that I needed them with my 85 wing, but with the ST it is another story.. Just the engine noise alone is enough to give me a headache after 1 hr.. Earplugs solves that, and the windnoise, so I do wear them all the time now.

[MikeP1300]

Never worn them. When my sons started riding a few years ago they were talking about how much wind noise they got on there crotch rockets. They started using them. Oldest son keeps preaching to me to use them. We'll go for a ride and he hands me a pair but have always had trouble getting them in, they would fall out when I took my helmet off. I'm going to keep trying but I'll probably be one of the hearing aid bunch.

I had trouble for a while getting them to stay in my ears too. But, I finally figured out to roll them down really tight and pull on the top of the ear or ear lobe when inserting. I've been using the Hearos (sp) or similar soft foam type.

I rode the Connie 14 the other day w/o ear plugs and regretted every minute of that ride. The windshield on that thing really sucks.

[UNTMatt]

Questions...

I like the looks of the Shure (http://www.shure.com/PersonalAudio/Products/Earphones/SEModels/index.htm) earplugs and the ER6i's (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx) that Joe posted.

How do you all keep them clean? I have a slight wax issue with my ears so that any plugs that go in come out a bit nasty and this is with regular cleaning.

Currently, I'm riding earplugless as the plugs I've tried I couldn't get into my ears properly and get the helmet on. The spacers behind the Autocom speakers in the helmet push them up against my ears providing a little additional protection but not much.

[Mellow]

Questions...

I like the looks of the Shure (http://www.shure.com/PersonalAudio/Products/Earphones/SEModels/index.htm) earplugs and the ER6i's (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx) that Joe posted.

How do you all keep them clean? I have a slight wax issue with my ears so that any plugs that go in come out a bit nasty and this is with regular cleaning.

Currently, I'm riding earplugless as the plugs I've tried I couldn't get into my ears properly and get the helmet on. The spacers behind the Autocom speakers in the helmet push them up against my ears providing a little additional protection but not much.

The etymotic ones have a little filter and a tool that it comes with to keep the wax from clogging up the speaker.. however, it's a filter so it can also get clogged and needs to be cleaned from time to time. As far as the flanges on the earbud.. you can clean it with alcohol (no Kempo, the other kind) or just a klenex.

Even with as far as you push those suckers in your ears, you want just a little space between your ears and your helmet speakers because, for me anyway, just the slightest pressure gets uncomfortable over time.

Hope that helps.

[dreddd2000]

The etymotic ones have a little filter and a tool that it comes with to keep the wax from clogging up the speaker.. however, it's a filter so it can also get clogged and needs to be cleaned from time to time. As far as the flanges on the earbud.. you can clean it with alcohol (no Kempo, the other kind) or just a klenex.

Even with as far as you push those suckers in your ears, you want just a little space between your ears and your helmet speakers because, for me anyway, just the slightest pressure gets uncomfortable over time.

Hope that helps.

I've had good luck cleaning the rubber boots on the ER6is with just hot tap water. Same with the earplugs. Just run the tap for a minute until you have nice hot water, and fill a glass with it. Then pop the earplugs in for a minute or two. The "ick" starts to float off. A quick rinse and you're good to go.

[UNTMatt]

I've had good luck cleaning the rubber boots on the ER6is with just hot tap water. Same with the earplugs. Just run the tap for a minute until you have nice hot water, and fill a glass with it. Then pop the earplugs in for a minute or two. The "ick" starts to float off. A quick rinse and you're good to go.

That doesn't fry the speakers?!?!

[UNTMatt]

Even with as far as you push those suckers in your ears, you want just a little space between your ears and your helmet speakers because, for me anyway, just the slightest pressure gets uncomfortable over time.

Hope that helps.

It does but it worries me as well. From what you're saying, I might have to remove the spacers from behind the helmet speakers to give me clearance. Not sure I want to do that, in case I run w/o the earplugs. Without the spacers the helmet speakers don't produce the rich sound they should.

[Mellow]

That doesn't fry the speakers?!?!

I'm thinking it's just the removable tips he's talking about.

[Mellow]

It does but it worries me as well. From what you're saying, I might have to remove the spacers from behind the helmet speakers to give me clearance. Not sure I want to do that, in case I run w/o the earplugs. Without the spacers the helmet speakers don't produce the rich sound they should.

Just depends, you'd have to try some and see how they feel to you.

[UNTMatt]

I'm thinking it's just the removable tips he's talking about.

:doh1:

Thanks for the input. I'll get earplugs for the com system as soon as we can get the money for it. At least that's what my plans are...

[dreddd2000]

That doesn't fry the speakers?!?!

The rubber boots on my Entymotics are removable/replaceable. Just take the boots off and rinse them. The speaker elements are sunk deep in the boot, so they don't really get earwax in them that I have noticed.

[uptoblackwood]

Questions...

I like the looks of the Shure (http://www.shure.com/PersonalAudio/Products/Earphones/SEModels/index.htm) earplugs and the ER6i's (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx) that Joe posted.

How do you all keep them clean? I have a slight wax issue with my ears so that any plugs that go in come out a bit nasty and this is with regular cleaning.

Currently, I'm riding earplugless as the plugs I've tried I couldn't get into my ears properly and get the helmet on. The spacers behind the Autocom speakers in the helmet push them up against my ears providing a little additional protection but not much.
Most of the Shure plugs come with a small cleaning device to take wax out of the tube that leads to the speakers. The outside plugs (many options with Shure) can be taken off and washed in warm soapy water and reused. Additional outside plug sleeves can be purchased from Shure.

Forest

[uptoblackwood]

PS....take the helmet speakers out...but the harness in....
That way if you want to use the helmet speakers....it's easy to just plug them in to the harness. In most cases, there's just not enough room for both helmet speaker and plugs.

Forest

[John Anthony]

Questions...

I like the looks of the Shure (http://www.shure.com/PersonalAudio/Products/Earphones/SEModels/index.htm) earplugs and the ER6i's (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx) that Joe posted.

How do you all keep them clean? I have a slight wax issue with my ears so that any plugs that go in come out a bit nasty and this is with regular cleaning. ...



The 6i's have wax filters that can be replaced. You get an extra pair with the earphones but if you need more, they're something like $15 for a pack of half dozen. 'bout the same price for replacement tips as well. More information here (http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i-acc.aspx).

John

[UNTMatt]

PS....take the helmet speakers out...but the harness in....
That way if you want to use the helmet speakers....it's easy to just plug them in to the harness. In most cases, there's just not enough room for both helmet speaker and plugs.

Forest

I don't think I can remove the speakers. They are hard wired to the connecting plug along with the mic cable. The mic is connected to the speakers via quick disconnect cable but w/o the speakers in the helmet, there's no way to connect the mic to the comm system.

[HOG SLYR]

I never ride without wearing either foam or custom ear plugs but beware that in some states, Cali being one of them ear plugs in both ears are illegal. So if you get stopped try to loose at least one with out being noticed. Though many LEO's don't push the law.

Wearing of Headsets or Earplugs

27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle
may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears.

[STBNE]

Interesting thread....since I am for all inentional purposes deaf without the use of hearing aids.I can ride with out them and only find wind noise minimally invasive...so to say...also want to comment that as far as safety goes...deaf people prove that hearing is not necessary to operate a motor vehicle within the parameters of saftey.While I do enjoy the relative serenity of my rides I fully understand the need for those of you hearing folks to reduce to noise level.:cool:

[uptoblackwood]

I don't think I can remove the speakers. They are hard wired to the connecting plug along with the mic cable. The mic is connected to the speakers via quick disconnect cable but w/o the speakers in the helmet, there's no way to connect the mic to the comm system.
What kind of comm system? Autocom has a cord that has the connection to the earbuds....and the DIN connector still runs the helmet speakers if you want or need to use them as well.

Forest

[long2rideST]

sooo, what about my tunes??

This:http://www.premiercycleaccessories.com/Noise_Blocking_Earphones_p/10004.htm
Works well and sound very good with my Archos605WiFi, but the replacement foam inserts cost 5$ a pair to replace every thirty days as they recommend. I haven't tried them on the bike yet but they cut noise better than the ear plugs I have (32NNR) which these claim 42NNR, Which I'm not shirr if their that good!

Don

[TxStPilot]

i use the bose earbud headphones for ear plugs....:06biker:


http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=triport_ie_headphones_index&intcmp=USB06001


tsp

[dond]

I never ride without wearing either foam or custom ear plugs but beware that in some states, Cali being one of them ear plugs in both ears are illegal. So if you get stopped try to loose at least one with out being noticed. Though many LEO's don't push the law.

Wearing of Headsets or Earplugs

27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle
may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears.

LOL, Mr Slayer, speeding is illegal too ya know :cool:

[mjhenne]

A couple of folks posted that the foam ear plugs don't work or fall out. I have that problem and the foam plugs are usually useless if I don't wet the inside of my ears first. Apparently that acts as a lubricant that allows the foam to expand freely and get a good seal. If I do that they are all day comfortable and work great as long as I don't ram them in too far.

I wet my ears with the er6i earplugs also since they seem to insert easier and are less apt to hurt.

[sandman]

I use the bullet corded type plugs and they've proven to give me great results.

I got the trial package from Aerostich here:

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Reusable-Earplug-Sample-Kit-p-16501.html

Anybody should be able to find something that fits in this package.

The great thing about the corded plugs is having them hang around your neck at stops so they're easy to find when you suit back up for the ride.

[STindy05]

I picked up a set at the hardware store last time I was there. Not used them on the bike yet, but I did when I mowed the yard last time. They made a big difference!

[bradf]

I have been riding with earplugs for the last 25 years. Unfortunately, I did not wear them for the first 10 years that I rode. There is no question in my mind that I suffered a noticeable degree of hearing loss during the time I did not wear them. After trying many styles of earplugs over the years, I discovered the Howard Leight Max UF Foam Plugs (NRR 33) a number of years ago and have found that they are the only plugs that don't hurt my ears after many hours of riding. I strongly encourage anyone that does not wear earplugs to start wearing them. In my opinion it is a no-brainer. :D

[Subdivided]

I wear earplugs on long rides.

I sometimes wear earbuds to listen to music in my helmet, this is much louder than the wind noise.