Touring and Ringing Ears
My FF helmet was horrible on my SG even with a 7 LRS shield, I ride with a 3/4 most of the time anyway with 3M earplugs.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 11
From: Oklahoma
Ear plugs are the way to go and you can still hear your stereo and your passenger.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,893
From: Oklahoma
So it is cool to be deaf, I will have to do some re-evaluation of my priorities.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 994
Likes: 28
From: NC
The ringing in your ears is the preliminary stages of tinnitus. This is a form of hearing loss and will in time become permanent. You will always hear the sound of a seashell once the problem becomes permanent. Many people experience it. I use the soft foam ear plugs and can hear my stereo more clearly with the plugs in than without. I buy them at the local pharmacy, they aren't expensive but make a significant difference. Just try it and you will see what I am talking about. Or better yet continue to go without and get to more annoying stages of tinnitus.
I guess my overall inquiry wasn't clear. In my experiences on softail WITHOUT windshields, I've never had the ringing afetr the ride. Touring, I now have post-ride ringing.
More research shows the wind buffeting is the silent killer of eardrums, so plugs will now be on the gear list. It seems the buffeting and turbulence created around the head by the fairing/windshield is the culprit, whereas without a windshield the wind simply passes by without turbulence:
http://www.hearingtestlabs.com/motorcycle.htm
Last edited by BlessedHellride; Apr 3, 2014 at 10:41 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
I lost my high frequency hearing and have had to make peace with my tinnitus. course I say , "huh" a lot when folks are talking and forget eating at a restaurant and listening to a conversation. One of the enjoyments of riding now is that it drowns out the ringing and roaring I hear 24/7. Ear plugs are the way to go if you like hearing a bell ring or a whistle blow and children asking questions.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I searched for this topic but I haven't seen any threads specific to it. Windshield? Music?
I think the 7" windsplitter I currently use splits my eardrums more so than the wind. My passenger lady has complained, too. I know earplugs are used by a lot of people, but then what's the point of the radio if you can't hear it?
I think the 7" windsplitter I currently use splits my eardrums more so than the wind. My passenger lady has complained, too. I know earplugs are used by a lot of people, but then what's the point of the radio if you can't hear it?
The point of ear plugs is to reduce noise levels, improve comfort, lower stress on long trips, longer rides in the saddle, and increased performance - they are the best tuning aid known to mankind! Choosing the right windshield will help a little, but is not the solution.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 840
Likes: 0
From: PNW
I lost my high frequency hearing and have had to make peace with my tinnitus. course I say , "huh" a lot when folks are talking and forget eating at a restaurant and listening to a conversation. One of the enjoyments of riding now is that it drowns out the ringing and roaring I hear 24/7. Ear plugs are the way to go if you like hearing a bell ring or a whistle blow and children asking questions.
turbine engines, M-60's and shitty flight helmets = tinnitus!
Last edited by slick10; Apr 3, 2014 at 04:53 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 127
From: Chandler, Arizona
best options in order from best to worst-
- full helmet with ear plugs
- full helmet
- half helmet with ear plugs
- half helmet