What about earplugs?
 

I used an MX helmet and googles last time (without ear plugs) and now have tinnitus.

I know another guy who returned with two burst ear drums from the noise again after using an mx helmet.

I'm using plugs (in my ears) and a flip top this time.

Any thoughts?

Does riding for such long periods really damage your ears? I hear of people who wear ear plugs even with a full face. I was going to have my mini disc on!!!

I ride with the volume set on 'AVS' which is supposed to stop the volume level before it reaches a point which damages your ears but, with increased noise that you don't really notice (like wind).. who knows? (My Dommie is quite quiet with it's original silencers)

I think with your story I may think about not listening to it but then.. hmm.. boring motorways on my own.. I may fall asleep! http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/frown.gif

Anyone else listen to personal stereos whilst riding or am I the only one?

I am thinking about using me discman while riding on long highway stretches.
I can hook it up to the 12V sockets and I would buy something like a remote control thing that I can put on my steer (the unit that is placed inbetween the discman and the earplugs).
I just have to buy the right earplugs. I have seen some good ones but lost the link. Anyone any idea's?

I've used a stereo plugged into my intercom, and quickly gave up on it. In order to have decent sound the volume had to be painfully loud, a volume I wouldn't consider off the bike. And yes you certainly can damage your hearing at that level!

If you really want to listen to music, do use molded earplugs with speakers built in. They are available from hearing specialty places. There's a guy in the US for instance that goes to rallies and takes a mold of your ears and ships them later.

Do a search on Google.com for "ear plug motorcycle custom mold" - interesting hits.

I always use ear plugs now, and find it - after an initial adjustment period - to be much better, and less tiring after a days riding.

Recommended.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hai,

When I got my new schubert (a few month's ago) the first thing I did was cutting open the interior to put in a high quality headphone (JVC) and a jack-plug. I was a bit scared to ruine the thing, but... luckily it's perfect... so I wont fall asleep.

I can not imaging ear-damage with a good helmet and a normal exhaust... but.. I am no expert... just a music-lover http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif

Maarten

Thanks for the advice.

Looking at one of the other threads reminded me of another factor:

I was riding an xr65ol with a screen to make it easier on my neck. The screen creates a lot of wind noise.

As said in the 'Quiet Flip-up helmet recommendations' thread raising your head can make it a lot quieter.

However, on the general subject of noise, I remember being advised to always wear plugs (but never have) because a low level for a long time is just as damaging in the long term as a high level for a short time.

Then again there's always the quiet exhaust versus louder for the added saftey benefits.

One thing came to my mind... When you wear earplugs you hear less... also things you should hear like sirens, claxons, things like that.
I do know from experiance that riding around town with the stereo on feels less safe... I think you catch a lot of surroundings-noise and turn it into a mental picture of what's behind and besides you.

Maarten

This is the link where I saw earplugs that look Ok to me.
http://www.earplugco.com/

I have to admit that Maarten might be right. If you can't hear what's around you you won't know it eather. But as far as anything with a sirene goes (speaking out of experience as a fireman / EMT) you should keep a close eye on you mirrors all the time. By the time you can hear them through your helmet (when riding?) they are already too close and have probably been standing on the brake quite a bit. Make a habit of checking your mirrors every so many seconds and not only when you are doing a maneuvre. (off course this is talking about daily trafic, forget when youre riding in the Todra Gorge.... unless you friend following you off course. ;-)

I've worn ear-plugs for years now. I've noticed that they were essential for the bike I have with a screen, but optional for the bike without one. You can still hear things like sirens, horns, etc. Human voices are hard to pick-up though. It's funny, but you can hear the engine noise much better with plugs in as all the background noise is reduced. I've found it much easier to ride distances with plugs in.

Also, some block out more sound than others, so take your pick.

I'd reccommend waering plugs for any journey that's more than 20 minutes. The problem with Tinnitus is that it creeps up on you, and you don't notice your hearing has gone until it's too late.

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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

I use foam plugs combined with an Autocom intercom system in a BMW System 4 helmet. It works fine up to about 120km/h. I cut off about 1/5th of the plug, otherwise it gets painful(d.t. the closeness of the phones).

I can hook up a radio or a cd player on this system. The sound is excellent and actually better with the ear plugs in (removes some of the exaggerated treble).

But, if you're travelling solo, the Autocom is a very expensive investment just for hearing music...

I would never go on a longer journey without my plugs, though.

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Dag
http://RocinantesTravels.com

I would suggest wearing ear plugs. I've got some hearing loss and a ringing in my ears, not all from riding, but a lot. I found that I can not wear the cheap foam plugs, they do cut out too much noise for me. Plus they make a wierd thumping sound at highway speeds.

I found out that I like a hunting pair of plus that have a plastic shell to them so they can be cleaned. They are only rated to 27 DB instead of 30Db but they work really well. I can still hear everything, but it cuts down on the wind noise etc. They were expensive though 8-9USD per pair. I've got two now.

I also listen to music and found that it is mostly loud enough with plugs in to listen. The books on tape though were not loud enough, I guess I need some sort of booster.

I think I'll try this combination of ear plugs and headphones. Cheers for the advice!

Spud,

No matter what type or brand of helmet you are wearing, or exhaust you're running, wind noise alone at highway speeds is enough to cause hearing damage. I wear a flip-front helmet, and never ride without ear plugs. Right now I just use the foamy type you can get for pennies at Home Depot or similar, but will soon be going to an audiologist for custom plugs made. You can get plugs that even have removeable filter elements for different noise levels, requency levels, etc. so, you could conveivably have plugs which cut down on wind and engine noise to safe levels, yet still allow for good speach, siren, horn sounds etc.

I'm a music lover too, but the added volume to listen to music in addition to the wind is just too much, i'd be even more deaf than I already am. Just sit back with your thoughts and enjoy the scenery eh! rider intercoms are still a concern, but since this is only an intermittent noise increase the risk is minimized.

Visit an audiologist or a professional musicians store near you, both should be able to hook you up with quality, comfortable ear plugs.

Save your hearing, and ride safe!

Brian

Cheers Brian..

A mate here in the UK has found a place that does the moulded ear plugs here.

I shall find out more but they look good. I have decided about the music.. I think I'm going to save it for when I get off my bike. My hearing is bad enough as it is!

http://www.hearingprotection.co.uk/

Cheers - Spud

I ride a touring bike (ST1100) with a windshield, but absolutely need earplugs, whether I am wearing my full face helmet or an open face helmet. Perhaps this is because the helmets are the newer ventilated Arai models, which are very noisy. I won't even ride to the local milk store without earplugs, because I find the wind noise annoying.

I use the disposable models made by AEARO Corporation under the brand name EAR. I buy them in boxes of 200 sets for about USD 12 a box. You can also buy them at Home Depot and other such locations for about USD 0.25 per set.

I prefer the disposables because the fit well and attenuate sound well, and I don't have to worry about them getting dirty. I find I can re-use a set twice before they no longer conform well to the shape of my inner ear.

I have no problems at all hearing sirens, horns, or even conversation. They attenuate sound, they don't block it entirely. My guess is the decrease in transmission of the sound of a siren or a horn (emergency vehicle) would be no greater than what an automobile driver encounters in a car that has the radio and ventilation fan on.

[This message has been edited by PanEuropean (edited 15 March 2002).]