Hmm,

Just had my ears syringed but have to go back for more next week (and put more oil in my ears until then). I suggested old engine oil (of which I have a lot) but was advised to use olive oil instead.

The syringing was a bit wierd, interesting, but ok.

Once they're done I'll get the molds created and the plugs made by Spud's recommendation: http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/

Thanks, Spud

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Jerome

fowb.co.uk

the guy who moulded my plugs for me - Ian from Eryri Audiological Research, very good - says that different grades of foam can be used according to which frequencies you want to filter out. Bikers plugs are generally designed to let you hear sirens and car horns whilst filtering out the harmful frequencies - generated by wind noise - which even a good full face helmet will often AMPLIFY. If you really want ear plugs which cut out all sounds - perhaps for sleeping in noisy environments - you just specify a different type of foam.

Having already damaged my hearing I now wear plugs all the time, even in town. I'm thinking of getting some with built in speakers for travelling.

Oh, and if anyone wants a quiet Arai I can strongly recommend the new Astro. Lots quieter than the RX7.

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If a thing is worth doing, it\'s worth doing to extremes.

Hearing protection is important, but so is music! I suggest using both speaker mounted sound systems and ear bud headphones, just not at the same time. When riding with other people and using a bike to bike communicator, it is fast and easy to take your helmet off and on if it has a system built in. Then you don't get tanlged up in cords or have to put things into your ears every time you stop. When you don't need to talk to anyone, try using a set of SONY ear plugs/headphones. They come with three different sizes of soft plastic plugs, and the headphones fit through the middle of the plugs. They play great music, and cost about $45 USD. You can get them at a good stereo store, and dont take any space on the road. Beware of any "EAR BUDS" that just fit into the outside of your ears, because they get uncomfortable and usually fall out when you are trying to get your helmet off and on. These SONY headphones fit into the narrow part of your ear canal, blocking out noise and producing great sound. I don't have the model info, but I can get it if anyone needs help finding them. They are the only thing that I have found to block noise and to keep me happy with my favorite tunes! Happy travels.


Check the link for sony headphones a few messages down from kurt206. These are the ones. GOOD STUFF!!!

[This message has been edited by chuck (edited 12 February 2003).]

I read in BMW MOA a while back that a typical bike at highway speeds will cause the rider to experience sound levels that OSHA believes would begin to damage hearing after 8 hours, so earplugs would be a must for anyone doing any extended riding.

Koss makes some ear bud speakers which can be fitted with earplugs by modifying standard plugs to fit their 'speakers'. You can listen to music at fairly low sound levels then and block out the 'noise'. However, if this is safe, I couldn't say.

Kurt

Hi

I've just picked up some custom moulded ear plugs from my local hearing aid shop. There was one visit to have the impressions taken and they arrived one week later. Total cost £50.

The plugs are made of clear silicon and have a small filter fitted that allows some sounds to pass through. They are definately far more comfortable and secure than the foam type and the attenuation seems about right, not too much sensory deprivation!

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Sean

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Sean

Has anyone who had moulds made up by the Ultimate ear guy at the ripley meet, been contacted by the company?? as I have not been contacted

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I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

I have just had custom ear sleeves made for my earphones by Advanced Communication Solutions - What you do hear is just as important as what you don't they cost £88 including the moulds made by the ear doctor. Great fit and really comfortable for prolonged use. I will use them on the Continental Divide trip I'm doing in 2 weeks time, but it is really fiddly getting my helmet on and off over them.

Hi,

I am using these ones for many years now:

Hearing protection for Motorcycling
Alpine Motosafe Motorcycle Earplugs

Works fine together with my offroad-helmet!

There are quiite few places selling DIY moulded ear plugs these days, may give them a try.

Edit to add... just ordered some from 'Demon Tweeks' under £20 delivered

Hi Peirre - I had mine through the following week... the ones with the monitors built in. Used them on the run down to Budapest through Germany (motorway madness) - utterly fantastic. Going to order a pair of blanks now to just wear as usual.

m

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http://thelondonbiker.com/blog

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That sold me - I listen to my minidisc in town, but have to stop and remove the ear buds on the motorway because I cant hear the music over the noise (plus they start to hurt after a while). So I've just ordered some sony headphones - watch this space.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...153233-4478051

Kurt

Here's a site for inexpensive, dispoable and reusable earplugs.
http://216.120.94.37/cgi-bin/WebObje...key=disposable

Peace,

Ross

Hymm, discman, music on or off? One day I put my discman on and put my helmet on. The razorblade music (punk hardcore - band Oxymoron - great for riding! ) made my crazy, mad psyhokiller. I ridie with it for 2 kilometers. Forget about it, too many ways to lose control. I think the listening the music when You ride is a crazy madnes! I can't control too many things! If You want listen it just stop....

I've been using foam ear plugs for years, I find it hard to ride without them now. But often see people how don't insert them properly, ie they are half in/half out.

This is quite interesting :
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/ruler.asp

The 'motorcycle' on the bookmark is aimed at mechanics and is a motorcycle engine in a workshop environment. Riding a bike, and wind noise, is a lot louder, certainly louder than a chainsaw which is further up the scale.

Cheers

I followed the advice offered months ago on here and had a set of purpose made ear plugs made for me. (80 GBP)

Silicon with filters in - from a hearing aid shop - recommened by the people at ACS - see earlier links to www.hearingprotection.co.uk

Now been riding with them for 3 months - GREAT! still hear enough to be very aware of what's around me but not worried about the volume in my headland.

Would really strongly recommend them - once you get used to the 20 seconds to put put them in - you forget they are there.

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Tony Robson
I'll try anything once, twice if it didn't kill me!