Bluetooth head set for hearing impared
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
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From: NC
Bluetooth head set for hearing impared
Hey, I have not tried a bluetooth headset for many years. I now wear hearing aids. But remove them while riding.
I am considering a bluetooth amp and speakers for my 2019 FLHTP. But I am also wondering if I should consider bluetooth headsets as an alternative. It would be connected to my GPS for directions (sometimes), but mostly for streaming music from my phone. And perhaps an occasional phone call.
Are the headsets that much better now than say 10 years ago?
I use a full helmet mostly. But for foul weather and winter, I will ride with a full face helmet.
What is your experience with headsets?
The bluetooth AMP and speakers appear to be cheaper than most headsets, especially Cardo sets.
I am considering a bluetooth amp and speakers for my 2019 FLHTP. But I am also wondering if I should consider bluetooth headsets as an alternative. It would be connected to my GPS for directions (sometimes), but mostly for streaming music from my phone. And perhaps an occasional phone call.
Are the headsets that much better now than say 10 years ago?
I use a full helmet mostly. But for foul weather and winter, I will ride with a full face helmet.
What is your experience with headsets?
The bluetooth AMP and speakers appear to be cheaper than most headsets, especially Cardo sets.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
I do not wear hearing aids or have problems with hearing (although my wife may disagree) but I went the route of Bluetooth and a full face (modular Shoei Neotec II) last year.
I am so pleased with this setup that I removed the aftermarket amp & speakers I had installed in our RGL. We went with the Cardo PackTalk Black/Bold (predecessor to the Edge) as my wife rides with me and the comm is very handy.
I would highly recommend this type of setup, especially if you have some hearing issues. Cardo uses quality JBL speakers...and the speakers are right over your ears so the sound is excellent and you're not fighting road/wind noise to try and hear like you would be from the bikes speakers. I'm sure they're not for everyone, but having first experienced a decent aftermarket system first which was plenty loud enough (and light years ahead of stock), and now the helmet speakers...I'm not going back. My wife also has a Shoei Neotec II but because of the weight of it, she doesn't wear it much. Her go-to is a HD 1/2 helmet that has the zip on/off ear flaps for the speakers. Works very well for her.
Yes, the Cardo units are expensive, but a whole lot less than an amp & speakers. The Cardo units are fully waterproof (surprisingly most aren't), mesh technology, have excellent range & battery life. I'm not suggesting you should go Cardo because that's what we have & like. Any Bluetooth comm unit will put the speakers where you want them to hear best...right over your ears.
I am so pleased with this setup that I removed the aftermarket amp & speakers I had installed in our RGL. We went with the Cardo PackTalk Black/Bold (predecessor to the Edge) as my wife rides with me and the comm is very handy.
I would highly recommend this type of setup, especially if you have some hearing issues. Cardo uses quality JBL speakers...and the speakers are right over your ears so the sound is excellent and you're not fighting road/wind noise to try and hear like you would be from the bikes speakers. I'm sure they're not for everyone, but having first experienced a decent aftermarket system first which was plenty loud enough (and light years ahead of stock), and now the helmet speakers...I'm not going back. My wife also has a Shoei Neotec II but because of the weight of it, she doesn't wear it much. Her go-to is a HD 1/2 helmet that has the zip on/off ear flaps for the speakers. Works very well for her.
Yes, the Cardo units are expensive, but a whole lot less than an amp & speakers. The Cardo units are fully waterproof (surprisingly most aren't), mesh technology, have excellent range & battery life. I'm not suggesting you should go Cardo because that's what we have & like. Any Bluetooth comm unit will put the speakers where you want them to hear best...right over your ears.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,704
Likes: 914
From: Southern Virginia
I haven't tinkered with bluetooth units much but what I learned with my wired headsets might be of use to you Goose.
I liked the idea of the headsets but never seemed to be able to hear them well even with my 3/4 helmets behind a good windscreen. I then read a post on here where someone mentioned making sure the helmet speakers were pressed right up against your ears. I tried the Harley wired headset made for half helmets and when the helmet was strapped on it placed those speakers right against my ears and I could hear them very well. I then got a set of velcro spacers for the speakers in one of my 3/4 helmets and found that I could hear them much better as well. Those little spacers were hard for me to track down though. I wound up getting a set from Uclear part number 111039.
I liked the idea of the headsets but never seemed to be able to hear them well even with my 3/4 helmets behind a good windscreen. I then read a post on here where someone mentioned making sure the helmet speakers were pressed right up against your ears. I tried the Harley wired headset made for half helmets and when the helmet was strapped on it placed those speakers right against my ears and I could hear them very well. I then got a set of velcro spacers for the speakers in one of my 3/4 helmets and found that I could hear them much better as well. Those little spacers were hard for me to track down though. I wound up getting a set from Uclear part number 111039.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 411
Likes: 599
From: Florida
I ride with a Sena model 50S-010 and Etymotic ER20 ear plugs for every ride. I never have trouble hearing my Bluetooth music or FM radio. The volume has plenty of range to overcome the road/wind noise and ear plug sound modulation.
The ear plugs cut down on wind noise but still let me hear conversations, my motorcycle, and the traffic around me without any problems. For those who Poo Poo earplugs, I'll say you haven't found the good ones yet.
I've been using Sena Com units since the Sena model 10 days.
Sena's ain't cheep, so I'll suggest talking to someone local who has/uses one. Maybe talk them into letting you use theirs to see if it works before you plunk down your $$.
I haven't used any other type of helmet com system, so I'm not saying Sena because it's the best. I'm telling you about Sena because it's what I use & spent my money on. It's what I know. 🤷♂️
Good luck with your testing, investigation, and riding.
P. S. Another benefit of a Bluetooth headset is that you're not blasting your music for everybody when you roll up to the meet.
The ear plugs cut down on wind noise but still let me hear conversations, my motorcycle, and the traffic around me without any problems. For those who Poo Poo earplugs, I'll say you haven't found the good ones yet.
I've been using Sena Com units since the Sena model 10 days.
Sena's ain't cheep, so I'll suggest talking to someone local who has/uses one. Maybe talk them into letting you use theirs to see if it works before you plunk down your $$.
I haven't used any other type of helmet com system, so I'm not saying Sena because it's the best. I'm telling you about Sena because it's what I use & spent my money on. It's what I know. 🤷♂️
Good luck with your testing, investigation, and riding.
P. S. Another benefit of a Bluetooth headset is that you're not blasting your music for everybody when you roll up to the meet.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 722
From: Ontario, Canada
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 917
Likes: 302
From: Kincardine, Ontario, Canada
I've been wearing hearing aids for 10+ yrs and have been using bluetooth headsets since 2014 on both motorcycles and snowmobiles with 3/4 and modular helmets
The best of the best for me is the Cardo units. I've had Sena and Uclear and the Cardos are the most reliable and less finicky of the bunch, plus they have built in FM radio which is nice when you don't want to listen to your playlist.
Cardo also offers a 45mm speaker upgrade kit for about $70.00. Even though the stock speakers sound great the upgrade unit takes it up another level.
Hope this helps
brian
The best of the best for me is the Cardo units. I've had Sena and Uclear and the Cardos are the most reliable and less finicky of the bunch, plus they have built in FM radio which is nice when you don't want to listen to your playlist.
Cardo also offers a 45mm speaker upgrade kit for about $70.00. Even though the stock speakers sound great the upgrade unit takes it up another level.
Hope this helps
brian
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,704
Likes: 914
From: Southern Virginia
I recently got a Bell Mag 9 3/4 helmet that fits my odd shaped noggin recently. It has a cutout for a Sena 10s bluetooth headset. I was thinking of trying one out since it would mount securely in the helmet slot. I'm sure there are better units out there but the one time I tried a bluetooth headset I didn't like the way it clipped onto the helmet. Never did feel like it was secured properly.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 2,076
From: Masshole
Why not stream them to your hearing aids? My audio setup is real decent on my bike and sounds great, but..... When my tinnitus is acting real bad I use my hearing aids and stream from my phone, the sound is incredible!
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