Ear Plugs
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 659
Likes: 2
From: Central Ohio
What, I can't hear you!? Just kidding.
Wow, I can't believe how much I feedback I have received on this topic. Now I see WHY folks throw ear plugs in. I agree, even the cheapies you get from the hardware store, or you wear when you go to the shooting range would work. I have a bag full, and never wore a pair while riding. Now I know why I am losing my hearing and constantly have a ringing in my ears. I thought it was too many rock concerts and rum drinks or beer. I am going to throw in a pair tomorrow and try them out.
Only thing is as long as I can hear the surroundings around me. One big key to safe riding is to use all your senses to detect everything around you. Look, listen, feel, etc. I do not want to "restrict" my hearing even though some say it enhances sound.
Wow, I can't believe how much I feedback I have received on this topic. Now I see WHY folks throw ear plugs in. I agree, even the cheapies you get from the hardware store, or you wear when you go to the shooting range would work. I have a bag full, and never wore a pair while riding. Now I know why I am losing my hearing and constantly have a ringing in my ears. I thought it was too many rock concerts and rum drinks or beer. I am going to throw in a pair tomorrow and try them out.
Only thing is as long as I can hear the surroundings around me. One big key to safe riding is to use all your senses to detect everything around you. Look, listen, feel, etc. I do not want to "restrict" my hearing even though some say it enhances sound.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Top of Texas
Same here - started riding in '78 - didn't start wearing plugs until the mid-90s. Guess I was too proud (or dumb) in tmy early daze,er days...
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 377
Likes: 3
From: Canada
Don't freak out the first time you ride with them. At first it'll seem like you can't hear anything. Relax - you can, you just have to adjust. You get used to them pretty quickly. Once you adjust you won't be able to stand riding without them. You won't believe how much fresher you feel at the end of a long ride.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
Chromedome's post was right on. Because of TSS you end up hearing ambient sounds as well as or better than you would if you didn't wear plugs.
The phenomenon that feels like reduced hearing after loud noise exposure would cause you to actually hear less after a short ride without plugs. With plugs you end up being able to hear just as well during your ride because you eliminate the Threshhold Shift effect. Save your hearing in every way possible. You'll really miss it if you don't.
The phenomenon that feels like reduced hearing after loud noise exposure would cause you to actually hear less after a short ride without plugs. With plugs you end up being able to hear just as well during your ride because you eliminate the Threshhold Shift effect. Save your hearing in every way possible. You'll really miss it if you don't.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 899
Likes: 2
From:
I've had tinnitus for the past few years - just as soon it not get worse. However, I don't wear plugs all the time. If I'm riding on slower roads and for less than a full day, I won't bother sticking them in. On a trip or a long day, the wind noise at higher speeds really gets loud - the snapping of the wind past my ears is the worse. I also find on long days that I feel less tired with plugs in.
One important thing with ear plugs is to insert them correctly. Roll them to a taper between your fingers, pull the top of your ear up so they insert easily. Hold them for a moment while the foam starts to expand and pretty quick everything get's quieter.
One important thing with ear plugs is to insert them correctly. Roll them to a taper between your fingers, pull the top of your ear up so they insert easily. Hold them for a moment while the foam starts to expand and pretty quick everything get's quieter.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
Ear plugs are primarily for wind noise. Exhaust and music (unless you have ear buds or head phones) on a bike have very little effect on your hearing. I have run unbaffled drag pipes and the exhaust was only real noticeable at slow speeds or when accelerating. At highway speeds most of the exhaust noise is behind you. It is always best to wear ear plugs when riding. I do about half of the time. 
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 990
Likes: 10
From: Redondo Beach, California
I have a very small container attached to the keyring that I use for my motorcycle that I put my earplugs in. I always wear them! Hearing loss and vision loss happen fast enough with age as it is. I don't need to help them go bad any faster!
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 866
Likes: 2
From: Pocahontas, IL
When I take my windscreen off (because RKs can do that ), I have to use earplugs. I am not sure how others go without them. I kind of like getting rid of the wind noise. It is just me and the bike then.
), I have to use earplugs. I am not sure how others go without them. I kind of like getting rid of the wind noise. It is just me and the bike then.
