Not sure about the earplug thing?
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 72
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From: Dryden, NY
Not sure about the earplug thing?
OK, I've read a bunch of threads here about earplugs - people using them - people not - cheap foams ones - custom fit ones. Intersting information. A friend suggested I try it, so I did yesterday on the way home from work. Just tried the dispoable foam ones.
The main noise that annoys me in the wind noise at 60mph and up, and from what I've read, that is the most potential damaging?
Stuffed the foam in my ears and drove home. It was really weird. Had a little bit of a buffeting sound in one ear - maybe not properly stuffed in ear - didn't read the instructions. Other than that it was really quiet. Not sure I would have heard my bike without the big radius pipes. Even they were pretty subdued.
The quiet was a little erie. I definetly enjoyed not having that wind noise, but felt a little uncomfortable not being able to hear what was going on around me. Might have been able to here horns or sirens, but I'm not sure.
Is it safe - probably no worse than having the radio cranked in the cage? But I'm still wondering? Maybe the other alternative earplugs keep out the wind but allow other sounds to come through.
By the way, when I told my wife about them - she thought they might be unsafe. Maybe she'd rather have me deaf than splattered by a horn blowing truck?
The main noise that annoys me in the wind noise at 60mph and up, and from what I've read, that is the most potential damaging?
Stuffed the foam in my ears and drove home. It was really weird. Had a little bit of a buffeting sound in one ear - maybe not properly stuffed in ear - didn't read the instructions. Other than that it was really quiet. Not sure I would have heard my bike without the big radius pipes. Even they were pretty subdued.
The quiet was a little erie. I definetly enjoyed not having that wind noise, but felt a little uncomfortable not being able to hear what was going on around me. Might have been able to here horns or sirens, but I'm not sure.
Is it safe - probably no worse than having the radio cranked in the cage? But I'm still wondering? Maybe the other alternative earplugs keep out the wind but allow other sounds to come through.
By the way, when I told my wife about them - she thought they might be unsafe. Maybe she'd rather have me deaf than splattered by a horn blowing truck?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 61
From: Near YVR
The only problem I have with the foam disposable ones are they are "foam and disposable"
Dam it is the tree hugger coming out in me, but you all know what I mean, nothing worse than catching a fish and finding a green or orange foam ear plug in its belly !
You can have custom ear plugs made in various Db lowering plugs.
From $35.00 to $100.00 plugs, depends what you do for work. (industrial types)
Rob
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,932
Likes: 32
From: Broomfield, CO
I have the custom made ear plugs that I paid $25.00 to have made. This was after my 1st trip from California to Sturgis and the ringing ears I had when I arrived in Twin Falls, Idaho. After that, I always wear my ear plugs when riding any distance. They reduce the wind noise and lower the decibels, but I can still hear people talking, the sound of my bike, and the traffic around me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
I'm one of those that waited waaaay too long to start wearing them. I started about a year or so ago. I need to go get hearing aids but too damn cheap to do it.
I use the barrel looking yellow foam ones and they work good. Wish I hadn't been such a Macho dolt in my younger days. Too much riding, shooting, and flying light airplanes with no hearing protection. If ya still got your hearing, protect it. It really sucks when you start to lose it.
I use the barrel looking yellow foam ones and they work good. Wish I hadn't been such a Macho dolt in my younger days. Too much riding, shooting, and flying light airplanes with no hearing protection. If ya still got your hearing, protect it. It really sucks when you start to lose it.
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From: East Coast Shore
If you look at the package they came in there is a decibel rating. When you go to the store to buy them they should have different (higher/lower) decibel rated ear plugs even from same manufacturer. See what decibel protection rating you are using and try using earplugs of a lower rating. Could be you are using a very high decibel protection rated earplug.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,255
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From: Florida
OK, I've read a bunch of threads here about earplugs - people using them - people not - cheap foams ones - custom fit ones. Intersting information. A friend suggested I try it, so I did yesterday on the way home from work. Just tried the dispoable foam ones.
The main noise that annoys me in the wind noise at 60mph and up, and from what I've read, that is the most potential damaging?
Stuffed the foam in my ears and drove home. It was really weird. Had a little bit of a buffeting sound in one ear - maybe not properly stuffed in ear - didn't read the instructions. Other than that it was really quiet. Not sure I would have heard my bike without the big radius pipes. Even they were pretty subdued.
The quiet was a little erie. I definetly enjoyed not having that wind noise, but felt a little uncomfortable not being able to hear what was going on around me. Might have been able to here horns or sirens, but I'm not sure.
Is it safe - probably no worse than having the radio cranked in the cage? But I'm still wondering? Maybe the other alternative earplugs keep out the wind but allow other sounds to come through.
By the way, when I told my wife about them - she thought they might be unsafe. Maybe she'd rather have me deaf than splattered by a horn blowing truck?
The main noise that annoys me in the wind noise at 60mph and up, and from what I've read, that is the most potential damaging?
Stuffed the foam in my ears and drove home. It was really weird. Had a little bit of a buffeting sound in one ear - maybe not properly stuffed in ear - didn't read the instructions. Other than that it was really quiet. Not sure I would have heard my bike without the big radius pipes. Even they were pretty subdued.
The quiet was a little erie. I definetly enjoyed not having that wind noise, but felt a little uncomfortable not being able to hear what was going on around me. Might have been able to here horns or sirens, but I'm not sure.
Is it safe - probably no worse than having the radio cranked in the cage? But I'm still wondering? Maybe the other alternative earplugs keep out the wind but allow other sounds to come through.
By the way, when I told my wife about them - she thought they might be unsafe. Maybe she'd rather have me deaf than splattered by a horn blowing truck?