Earplugs a good idea...

[lionlady]

Met a friend/co-worker at the local HD dealership to check out a used Buell Blast for him (he's not yet comfortable in traffic). I kept having to repeat myself to the salesman. I do not have a soft voice.

After my test ride, my friend took a turn around the parking lot, and then we were chatting. Again, both my friend and I had to repeat ourselves to the salesguy. In passing, he mentioned that he'd only just started wearing a full face helmet the previous month. And then I had to ask him how long he'd been riding. 36 years. He added that he's got tinnitus as well.

Yup. I'll keep on wearing my ear plugs.  

P

[Mrs. DantesDame]

 

I usually have a spare pack or two in a pocket or tank bag. I've often handed them to new riders (or riders new to the concept) as a sort of "try it, you'll like" thing. I can't imagine riding without them  

[Castaway]

I too use 'em all the time, unless it's just a short ride about the neighborhood.

[DrD]

I have tinnitus from years of loud music, loud work environments (Navy ships) and who knows what else.  When I was first diagnosed with this, the MD was very helpful.  I asked him if it would be OK if I kept riding and he said 'sure' as long as I wore earplugs.  He had been riding for years, so he knew about the noise environment on bikes.  It isn't jet engine horrible, but continued exposure is harmful.  The 20 to 30 db reduction from earplugs makes it tolerable.

[Huron52]

I have to wear ear plugs when I ride because of the wind noise....it just isn't fun to listen too.
Plus I know my hearing has been damaged from a) loud music b) working in loud areas.

Always carry a baggie full of ear plugs.....  

[MadOzodi]

I'm really enjoying my DIY molded earplugs from Radians.  I've got some SuperSoft Hearos and Windtamers.  Can't have enough hearing protection!

[Tony T]

I always keep about a half dozen sets of ear plugs in my tank-bag so I never find myself going without the or losing a set and not having a replacement. Most people I ride with know the benefits of having them so passing them out is rare.

The best thing about riding with earplugs though is that I can hear all the voices in my head better.  

[knolltop314]

The best thing about riding with earplugs though is that I can hear all the voices in my head better.  

Because they always agree with you.

[malbojah]

Because they always agree with you.

He's lucky then, I get into arguments with mine...

[ConPilot1]

I'm really enjoying my DIY molded earplugs from Radians.

Thank you for that. Thats' what I've been looking for. They were doing custom's at the NY IMS but didn't feel like springing 60 bucks for customs.
The Radians look like a good option + the same damn thing.

[bomber]

If you're going the custom-molded route (either DIY or otherwise), make sure you have your helmet on while the mold agent sets up -- some folks' ear canals change shape a great deal after putting on a helmet, which can render those plugs that you couldn't feel into torture devices within a short period of time  . . . .

I learned this the hard way.

Go out and make your own, new, mistake.

[ConPilot1]

EXCELLENT point bomber. I can definitely see that happening. Thanks for the tip.
I'll wear my helmet cinched down during the 10-15 min cure process.

[bomber]

You are very welcome. ;-}

Also, you are now obliged to report on your new, original mistake, when it occurs.

It's a chain letter thing.

;-}

[MadOzodi]

When I was waiting the 10min. for mine to set, I tilted my head back to some approximation of what position it would be on the bike.  I didn't see any way of putting my helmet on while the mold agent set up since my helmet pretty much smashes my dumbo ears anytime I put it on or take it off.  

Once my helmet is on, I have to stick a finger in and re-secure the plugs.  Luckily, mine don't turn into torture devices if they're not super snug.  Even when they feel loose, they still reduce a lot of the high pitched noise.

YMMV.

[ConPilot1]

so whats the mistake all about? looks like a cut + dry simple process to me

[Tony T]

Are the custom molded ear plugs that much better than the stock foam plugs?  

Because they always agree with you.

Depends what ones show up that day.  

[MadOzodi]

Are the custom molded ear plugs that much better than the stock foam plugs?  

When riding all day, they are for me.  After a couple of hours with even the super soft hearos in, my ear canal openings start to ache something fierce.  It's *very* fatiguing for me.  Helmet buffeting induces sharp pain when the cheek cushions or other part of the inner liner rubs the cartilage.

Trust me, I *wish* foam plugs were sufficient.  

[bomber]

so whats the mistake all about? looks like a cut + dry simple process to me

I was referring to my mistake wrt not putting on my lid. . . . . and was suggesting you go forth and make a new mistake, in any area of your choosing -- we all make them -- more fun not to repeat someone else's, yes?

[MK96xj]

Met a friend/co-worker at the local HD dealership to check out a used Buell Blast for him (he's not yet comfortable in traffic). I kept having to repeat myself to the salesman. I do not have a soft voice.

After my test ride, my friend took a turn around the parking lot, and then we were chatting. Again, both my friend and I had to repeat ourselves to the salesguy. In passing, he mentioned that he'd only just started wearing a full face helmet the previous month. And then I had to ask him how long he'd been riding. 36 years. He added that he's got tinnitus as well.

Yup. I'll keep on wearing my ear plugs.  

P

WHAT?

[Blunder]

When I sing the Monty Python drinking song to myself it always sounds more clear with my plugs in.

30 years with Eustachian blockers in. Best thing I ever did.

[Wanderer]

It's amazing to me me how much less fatigued I am at the end of a long ride when I wear some ear protection.
The first few times I wore earplugs I was less tired after 8 hours than I was after 4-5 with no earplugs. If my ride is more than 10 minutes at 65+ mph, they're in.  

[Busy Little Whiner]

I do not have a soft voice.

Thats what I hear...

[ConPilot1]

It's amazing to me me how much less fatigued I am at the end of a long ride when I wear some ear protection.
The first few times I wore earplugs I was less tired after 8 hours than I was after 4-5 with no earplugs. If my ride is more than 10 minutes at 65+ mph, they're in.  

BIG +1 on that. Nonstop road/wind/white noise is very fatiguing.

Plugs----Hydrate---eat small, eat often         three biggest secrets to LD riding.

[Snapping Twig]

As a 5 year old I lost the audio nerve in my right ear to measles. The vaccine was available just one month after I lost my hearing - talk about irony.

So, my right ear drum is OK, but I can't hear out of that side.

That said, I wear earplugs whenever I do anything noisy. Shooting, moto, etc.

Had a set of those custom ones made at the IMSA show last year and they are FANTASTIC! I wear a Shoei X 11, but just the same, wind noise and my Cobra pipes (cruiser rider) conspire to make you fatigued.

Custom plugs beat the heck out of the standard cylindrical units, foam or otherwise. The custom ones are flat and not impacted by a helmet.

[bomber]

The custom ones are flat and not impacted by a helmet.

not always true -- Dumbo, here, experiences great discomfort with the custom plug I had made without my helmet to wear durign the mold setting up. Some folks ear canals change shape when the helmet is on.

[MadOzodi]

Tested the "World's Finest Ear Plugs" last night.

All I can say is, "WOW!"  These things blow my DIY Radians away!  For whatever reason, they blacked out the NRR on the label shipped with the case, but when you open up the folded piece of paper with all the descriptions and warnings you see a NRR of 34.  I ordered a Travel Pack and Sample Pack (for my Mom).  You can easily cut one plug in half and have enough material to use those halves as a pair.

These things are quite tacky so I can see them getting dirty quite easily.  The really nice thing about them is that when I put on my helmet, they stay in place.  Taking the helmet off doesn't induce that brief instant of pain when the cartilage in your ear is squeezed in a manner it shouldn't be.

I can't believe how much quieter it was on my ride.  The only comparison I can make is that it's like riding in an old economy car with no sound deadening insulation rolling on noisy tires and then riding in a brand new high end luxury sedan with felt-lined wheel wells, double glazed glass and foam filled body panels.

bomber, you should definitely look into these!

[chornbe]

Hearing damage is cumulative. Not taking precautions is dumb.

[bomber]

bomber, you should definitely look into these!

Mad -- thanks for the tip -- I'm pretty satisfied with the Heros I pick up at the Walgreens (33 db) for chump change -- although I'm not sure that trying too protect what's left of my hearing after the abuse I've dished out to it isn't just silly, I do it anyway.

[MadOzodi]

I've got the Hearos SuperSoft from Walgreens as well.  

After having them in my ears for about 6 hours, my canal openings were aching a bit.

[adlowe]

Alpine MotoSafe are far and away the best I've found. Pricey but well worth it. There may be better out there but I haven't found them. Can't recommend them enough.

[MadOzodi]

Damn you people with normal/large ear canal openings!  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Damn you people with normal/large ear canal openings!  

[Busy Little Whiner]

Tested the "World's Finest Ear Plugs" last night.

Now I know what happened to all those anti vibe stereo leg cushions they failed to sell in the 80s...