Half Helm hearing protection
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 17
From: victoria bc
Half Helm hearing protection
Just switched from 3/4 to 1/2 helmet and wow I can't believe how much louder everything is. Engine noise, wind noise. On helmets without ear covers what do you guys use as ear protection at highway speeds?
Supporter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 292
From: Earth
I use regular 'ol foam ear plugs. I cut them down a bit so they don't stick out and I can hear just fine while cutting wind noise. These exact one's......but I get 'em free from work-lol.
http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-.../dp/B0013A0C0Y
http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-.../dp/B0013A0C0Y
I use simple foam plugs cause their cheap but thinking about upgrading them to some custom molded ear plugs. I've seen them at some moto expo but don't remember the brand or their name. They're suppose to be far superior and a lot more comfortable.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 11
From: Southern Nevada (Pahrump)
Go to Walgreens. I use both the foam ones, & they have two different styles of rubber ones. I prefer the rubber ones they seem to work better for me anyhow. Get used to the noise though....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 4
From: nebraska
I use these Alpine Classics ,Hearing Protection System..
They block out loud wind noise but you can still here a regular conversation.
They come with two diffrent filtors .
http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-Hearing...5151355&sr=8-1
They block out loud wind noise but you can still here a regular conversation.
They come with two diffrent filtors .
http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-Hearing...5151355&sr=8-1
Last edited by baust55; Apr 22, 2012 at 11:37 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I have a set of custom ones that I wear in a full face, 3/4 or 1/2 helmet. Oddly, they're not quite as quiet as the foam ones, but they are more comfortable. My father has a set and he agrees. A good trick with the custom ones is to get 'em wet before putting them in. They get a better seal for about 45 min, which makes them quieter.
I have a friend who is an audiologist. She used me as a grad school study project. At the time I had a quiet inline 4 cylinder bike. She came out with me on the bike and stuck a docimiter (dB meter) under the chin bar of my full face helmet and found that, even on that quiet bike, I couldn't ride for more than 10 minutes without doing permanent hearing damage. I've worn some sort of earplugs ever since. That was 2002.
I have a friend who is an audiologist. She used me as a grad school study project. At the time I had a quiet inline 4 cylinder bike. She came out with me on the bike and stuck a docimiter (dB meter) under the chin bar of my full face helmet and found that, even on that quiet bike, I couldn't ride for more than 10 minutes without doing permanent hearing damage. I've worn some sort of earplugs ever since. That was 2002.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Ive been riding with a full face and foam plugs for years. Last month I got a half helmet. With the plugs it seems quieter than the fullface. I think its because the full face captures more sound from below, mostly engine and exhaust. I'm very happy with how quiet it is with plugs.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 7
I will not ride without hearing protection - wind noise alone at highway speeds is enough to cause permanent damage if exposed long enough.
The plugs I link to below are FANTASTIC. I ride with them every single ride. Comfy, better than foam, mask out the loud noise, but allow you to hear the voice of the guy next to you at a stoplight. Seriously, I have hearing damage already and am not willing to risk further hearing loss if preventable. I've used many different types of plugs, these are my faves. I also have the custom molded plugs that close off the ear canal, but they are too good IMO, you can't hear anything with them.
http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Resea...5186992&sr=8-1
The plugs I link to below are FANTASTIC. I ride with them every single ride. Comfy, better than foam, mask out the loud noise, but allow you to hear the voice of the guy next to you at a stoplight. Seriously, I have hearing damage already and am not willing to risk further hearing loss if preventable. I've used many different types of plugs, these are my faves. I also have the custom molded plugs that close off the ear canal, but they are too good IMO, you can't hear anything with them.
http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Resea...5186992&sr=8-1
