earplugs

[williamemack]

I'm interested in members comments regarding the use of earplugs while riding. My problems are wind noise and muffler resonance. No windshield and don't want one.

[montmil]

The disposable foamies work well. A package of a dozen is easily stowed on the bike. I do tend to be visually more observant of traffic - mirrors, head on a swivel, etc - when wearing the plugs.

Monte

[not-so-fast-ed]

Best deal I've come across is an MP3 player and a good set of ear buds.  Some can be had that are molded to your ear shape.  Then you avoid the noise and cruise to your tunes.
Wish I'd had them back in "The Day".  

Ed

[Melena]

I love my earplugs!  When I started using them I noticed how much less tired I was at the end of a long ride.  My partner, who has been riding for 30+ years, noticed that too.   Neither of us will ride without them now.  In fact, when we were at a rally last year he bought us both the kind of earplugs that are molded to your ears.  Oh man, those are so comfortable.  I can actually hear the traffic noise better.....not louder, just better..........as it cuts out all that wind noise.   I've already got tinitus (sp?) and I don't want it to get worse.

Oh, did I mention I love them?   8-)

[msbuck]

+1 on the earplugs.  Melena hit the nail on the head.  I also like the wind in my face, no big windshield for me.  The earplugs makes all the difference.  You will really be surprised once you start using them.  They tend to block out all the extraneous noise so you can hear the important stuff.  I won't ride without mine, either.  

[montmil]

...I've already got tinitus (sp?) and I don't want it to get worse...

Tinnitus, or "ringing in the ears", is a symptom of hearing loss.

My entire life has been, and still is, centered around loud motorcycles, cars, aircraft, shop equipment and weapons. Unfortunately, I'm of the generation that was uneducated regarding hearing protection. My bad!

Last May, I dropped $6000.00 for some very exotic Swiss hearing "enhancements"- that's the newest PC term for "hearing aids- and now I can hear my grandchildren speaking. High frequency loss is the issue.

Anyway, I simply remove the "enhancements" when I ride as I'm already deaf as a stump. The upside is I can turn 'em off at family reunions.  

Y'all be sure to use some sorta hearing protection even when you're mowing the yard. It'll get 'cha.

Monte

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

+1 on the plus and +1 on the lawn mower.

better yet, go electric if you yard is reasonable.  mowers don't have very efficient mufflers, imo.

[MrRiden]

+ to what Melena posted. Earplugs really reduced my fatigue on long highway rides. They are a must now on all my extended rides.
rich

[balibeemer]

Agreed - I can even get them in Bali - and I wouldn't be without them - Even at night when the local go crazy with their amplifier-assisted gong-bashing (and that goes on for hours). They also drown out the sound of the frogs in the rainy season ( which seems to last from January to December

[drewboid]

Been riding with earplugs for years - really great on group rides with the loud exhaust guys. I also found that the helmet itself can make a BIG difference. I tried a popular brand modular and gave it back after 2 miles - too much wind noise - fortunately the store was willing to take the return. Checking the web I found that the Shoei TZ-R was very well rated - see
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/shoei/tz-r/
It is their lower priced model (if you can call that lower) but worth every penny.  YMMV

ps - I also wear ear muffs while mowing the lawn.  ;-)

[Allred]

I wear earplugs on all rides, even short ones.  Wind noise just isn't that pleasent, riding with less distraction certainly is!  I even use 'em on my fully faired touring bikes!

[williamemack]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the input. I knew from previous experience about the comfort, but was curious about the current thought on safety.  I too am getting to be as deaf as a stump and am careful to use ear plugs or muffs whenever necessary. Gotta save what's left! Those $6000 aids are just around the corner.

Thank you all again.

[nhmaf]

+1 on the cheap orange foam ear-plugs from me, especially on long rides !
I don't always use them for shorter rides, largely because I cannot always find where I've stashed the things (gotta make better use of my tankbag, I know).   They allow me to still hear important sounds but cut out the wind noise, which definitely helps with hearing protection and reducing fatigue at the end of a 600 mile day..

[suecanada]

I loved my earplugs which were the molded to your ear type that I got from a site called earplugsthatfit.com. They don't seem to exist anymore and somehow the EMS people lost my set as they never showed up in the few things that I got back! I am thinking of trying Ed's idea of the earplugs that are mikes too so I can listen to the MP3 and have plugs in the ears. So far I guess I'll be getting the foam type plugs as a replacement/  I want to keep my hearing!! Earplugs are essential riding equipment.  They just need to be comfortable though.  Try a bunch out for starters.

[NC Steve]

Id love to someday have some of those fancy custom-made jobs like all y'all rich folks   , but for now the good ol' Hearos from Walgreens work just fine: 4 pairs for 3 bucks! Comes in 3 colors that I've seen: beige fits me the best.

Those silicon dealies work okay too and are super easy to use, though not quite as quiet. Just a ball of a soft waxy/putty substance that you mash up against your ear and it smooshes out and seals off  the hole therein. Quick 'n' easy!  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]