Earplugs and Helmets

[kxmike]

I love my Shoei Qwest... It's actually the only helmet I've had in the last few years that I don't absolutly feel the need to wear ear plugs. I still use plugs on longer rides though and I'm fortunate to have access to a wide selection of them...(I work in a machine shop with mandatory hearing protection). My favorite is the yellow "express pod plugs" made by 3M. I forgot what rating they are ...they don't cut all the noise, just drop the db's to an acceptable level so you can still hear what's going on...important while operating any kind of machinery (incuding bikes).

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

Just recently started using earplugs, and I will never go without them again. I use them anytime I play on riding over 35mph. .

unbelievable... ^^^ so many years "under the belt" and no earplugs.

There is something about the fact about 'not hearing the bike' though. It must be dependent on the bike and on the way you ride (one rides). I *use* earplugs and have *zero* problem with shifting the bike or what not... but maybe I don't rely on sound of the RPM or if I do, I never realize it. That's because.. if I get another bike, I am actually prone to redlining it.

additionally, keep in mind that all touring cruiser riders, or touring BMWs , if they keep at low speeds, might not need any earplugs at all. It's their choice. In fact I've always toyed with getting a (let's call it) "slower" bike, considering that reason.

 

[Var]

unbelievable... ^^^ so many years "under the belt" and no earplugs.

.

Yep..I gotta say. I regret it

edit: 10 years isn't a long time to be riding, but it's a long time to be riding without earplugs

 

[flying_hun]

Here is a great sample pack for $12. All diferent noise ratings so you can zero in on one you like. I got this pack a loonnngggg time ago and have still not used all of them.

http://www.earplugstore.com/unfoamtrialp1.html

This. Find what fits your ear without causing pain on a long ride.

 

[Bondage]

Are you serious? I use the same plugs as Revnort - also on the recommendation of a fellow Barfian - and I can hear the revs on my R1200R with stock exhaust just fine. The don't put you in a cone of silence.

That's a relief, I thought they would give it total silence like regular earplugs. I must get some now.

 

[Rob]

That's a relief, I thought they would give it total silence like regular earplugs. I must get some now.

link to regular earplugs?

 

[KnifeySpoony]

That's a relief, I thought they would give it total silence like regular earplugs. I must get some now.

"Regular" (i assume you mean foam) earplugs to not give total silence. They attenuate sound by about 30db (but not equally at all frequencies). Custom earplugs with filters can attenuate more evenly across the frequency spectrum to give give more natural, less muffled sound. However, they won't attenuate as much total sound, which is what you generally want while riding a motorcylce.

 

[Bondage]

"Regular" (i assume you mean foam) earplugs to not give total silence. They attenuate sound by about 30db (but not equally at all frequencies). Custom earplugs with filters can attenuate more evenly across the frequency spectrum to give give more natural, less muffled sound. However, they won't attenuate as much total sound, which is what you generally want while riding a motorcylce.

I mean the foam ones, yeah. But when I wear them I can barely hear anything. Maybe I'm half deaf already Thanks for the tip.

 

[KnifeySpoony]

I mean the foam ones, yeah. But when I wear them I can barely hear anything.

After a few minutes, you'll adjust.

Maybe I'm half deaf already

It's possible. Maybe you should get a hearing test.

 

[Oh My Sack!]

I buy cases of Howard Leight MAXX corded earplugs for my work crews. The best you can get. However, wearing these and ANY in the canal ear protection for long periods of time, especially when touring, becomes an absolute painful nightmare.

Because of that, I roll with these.

http://www.macksearplugs.com/details/Motorcycle-ear-plugs/pillow-soft-earplugs-6-pair-value

Best and most comfortable earplug you can find for helmet use. They attenuate noise well and actually work better with my Autocom system in my Arai helmets. The volume can be low and because there is a little contact between ear and speaker, the sound is better. Wind noise is no problem and you can still hear traffic as necessary.

WalMart is your friend on these. In the Pharmacy section. You won't regret it!

 

[Albal0ney]

no offense, but you have no idea what you're talking about (look at that. I didn't even use the word 'fuck' once).
the wind noise is what damages hearing, not the engine's fucking displacement. commuting on ANY motorcycle is damaging to your hearing. since it doesn't make you deaf the fourth time you ride, few riders seem to heed warnings.

OP, it sounds like you're set on the type (and even brand) you're getting. I personally use generic ear plugs. regular ol' foam ear plugs. brand doesn't matter to me. I buy a box every now and again, and keep handfuls in my jackets, in my moto bags, in my backpack..hell, I even have a bunch in my car for when I sleep at a noisy hotel, or camping.

+1


I can't ride street, let alone track without earplugs, even riding a scooter around SF with them better.

Earplugs are earplugs, lol just get some.

 

[Hoho]

these were reco'd in another earplug thread... been working great so far - near-custom fit for $13

I use these as well. 24db reduction. I bought 2 sets, and just replaced the first set after about 5 months of use... the nice thing about these is that you can open that little passage way and let more sound in if you feel that the attenuation is too much. I keep mine closed at all times.

Get earplugs. Any earplugs. They are well worth the money.

 

[CurveSurfer]

I mean the foam ones, yeah. But when I wear them I can barely hear anything. Maybe I'm half deaf already Thanks for the tip.

You can barely hear anything with regular foam earplugs because they DO provide the sensation of total silence when worn when trying to sleep in a relatively quiet house or tent.

But a motorcycle engine, exhaust and wind noise are exponentially louder than those environments. You'll still hear stuff when wearing them on the bike

Deafness isn't the only concern: you'll likely develop tinnitus first, a constant ringing that can be life-altering. Some folks learn to ignore it, for others it can lead to trouble sleeping, depression and even suicide.

And the ringing probably won't go away if you finally do lose your hearing, because it's only the perception of ringing, you're not actually hearing anything.

I developed a mild/moderate case about a year ago, and for awhile it was all I thought about. Hard to sleep, hard to imagine never having a silent moment again. I've learned to mostly tune it out, but it's definitely something to be avoided.

I was using ER6i headphones instead of earplugs and the windscreen on my new-ish bike was far louder than I realized. Now I'm back to foam plugs (Leight MAX), no music, and a shorter, quieter windscreen.

Please, wear earplugs on every ride over 10 minutes and any ride on the freeway. Think twice about aftermarket exhausts and listen to the wind coming off your windscreen. Unlike broken bones and rashed skin, hearing damage or tinnitus sneak up on you and they don't heal.

 

[audiododd]

I make my living with my ears, so I use earplugs for almost any kind of loud activity (mowing the grass, vacuuming, etc.) I have some custom fitted "musician" style plugs that have various plugs you can put in to change the NRR (noise reduction rating) from 2.5-26dB. They are great plugs, but they were expensive and after about an hour or two, they actually start to hurt.

I tried the Ear-Pros mentioned above because they were low-profile and I figured the ones with a hard stem sticking out would rub on the helmet. The problem I had with them was that the noise filter (that piece with the little flap on it) is hard and, because of the the shape of my ear, would rub on that little flap in the front of the ear -- the Tragus; I googled it

I ended up going with the yellow foamies. I use the 3M E-A-R Classics. They have a 29dB NRR and you can get a 30-pair box for about $8 + shipping (or get something similar at your local hardware store). My favorite part is that we have boxes and boxes of them at work and I can grab a handful for my tank bag every so often. They are comfy and I don't have to worry about losing them. They aren't as discerning about frequencies like some of the other more expensive ones that will not block out as much of the human voice, but based on the price, I'll just yell. I wore them on a recent 12-hour ride down to LA and back. When I got there and popped them out, my hearing was less fatigued than a 45-minute commute without them.

Bottom line -- get whatever you like, but get something. Hearing loss is NON-REVERSABLE. Once it starts going, it's gone for good.

 

[jeepjockey]

Ha ya'll are getting reamed. I get disposable 3M E-A-Rsoft 32db NRR foam plugs in big boxes that work out to under ten cents per pair. Amazon and fleabay have em.

As others have said, just stash a handful in each jacket and bag, so you always have fresh ones if they're getting grungy. They're also useful for passively aggressively showing loud talkers around you how annoying they are.

 

[jeepjockey]

Make sure you roll them to a point in your fingers and insert them fully into the ear.

Absofuckinglutely, it takes a while to get this right consistently. I frequently have to moisten the little buggers to get them to cooperate.

 

[Kenister]

If you are riding CBR250R (as per your profile) you don't need earplugs at all.

It's usually the wind buffeting through my helmet that gives me the most problems. I would probably use them when going on the freeway, my commute.

I love my Shoei Qwest... It's actually the only helmet I've had in the last few years that I don't absolutly feel the need to wear ear plugs.

Nice, I will look into this helmet somewhere down the road.

Bottom line -- get whatever you like, but get something. Hearing loss is NON-REVERSABLE. Once it starts going, it's gone for good.

Totally, I'm told I have excellent hearing and it's something I want to keep for at least a little while.

They're also useful for passively aggressively showing loud talkers around you how annoying they are.

Haha, that's something I can picture doing to a few friends.

 

[Bondage]

Deafness isn't the only concern: you'll likely develop tinnitus first, a constant ringing that can be life-altering. Some folks learn to ignore it, for others it can lead to trouble sleeping, depression and even suicide.

I have had cases of tinnitus and sometimes my ears ring loudly for like 5 seconds at random occasions. It hasn't happened as of late. Definitely a product of my extremely loud guitar playing and I don't think riding (with my loud-as-hell 1998 aftermarket exhaust) is helping it much.

 

[audiododd]

Totally, I'm told I have excellent hearing and it's something I want to keep for at least a little while.

I've been a sound engineer for bands for almost 18 years (Rock, Jazz, Country, Classical) and have sat in many rehearsals and mixed many shows. Except when I'm mixing, anytime I'm around loud noises (except my Mother-in-Law ) I'm wearing hearing protection. I just had my latest exam, and I only have "normal for my age" hearing loss.

Yay for protective gear!!

 

[navy8ret]

Here's another vote for Hearos - in 40 years of riding these have been the most comfortable I've ever used