ear plugs - do you / don't you & why ?

[Gaz73]

My hearings suffered too, years of riding bikes, loud music and screaming kids lol
Started to wear ear plugs on longer journeys.......... can't undo the damage, but don't
want it getting any worse

[DryRob]

I wear them on long ride outs but don't bother on short journeys, maybe I should.

[Fuzzy]

Try to wear them on any journeys above 40mph, so often don't bother in town. Use them more frequently since getting an Arai though as its quite a noisy lid. I use Alpine reuseable earplugs at the mo and they let in just the right amount of noise so I don't feel cocooned, always carry them around with me on the bike even when I don't use them and have spare foam plugs in all my jackets so I don't get caught out.

[Pat]

Noise levels aren't high enough to need using them in town but I always use them if I'm going to be exceeding 50 for any length of time.

I have friends that suffer from tinnitus, though all have acquired it from attending gigs rather than motorcycling & they all assure me it's no fun.  I'm surprised I've not also fallen prey to it too as I reckon I've been to more than 1,000 gigs over the years most of which have been played out at the 11 end of the volume scale.

I do also wonder what the long term effects are going to be on all these youngsters that I see wandering around with ipod earphones in their ears listening to music playing so loudly that I can hear it a few yards away, not good I suspect.

[HarryHornby]

I used to get home and my ears were ringing so I always wear them now.
 
I get mine from here: http://www.earplugsbypost.com/
 
They do a trial pack so you can see which ones work best for you before buying a job lot.

[JZS 600]

I always reuse my ear plugs,,,,,, as long as you don't pick up too much fluff and shit from the pocket, give them a lick and they slide straight back in again.

[purplebear7]

I have watched this thread with interest .. I am deaf .. officially 75% or more .. I used to get free NHS hearing aid batteries before we left the UK.   I can now lip read at 100 yards plus and talk like I was on the other side of the Bay .. as I am  .
 
Years of abuse was the problem, 45 years working as a Diver, blown up, explosions, two cerebral bends, and several very close calls on rapid deep descent's, etc.  Long Haul HGV Trucking between the diving jobs, bikes for over 55 years and ... two marrages .. you get my drift  .
 
Given half the chance .. I recon I'd take a lot more care on a second lap of life.   Some of you guys who can hear well don't seem to realise how lucky you are.   Take care of your 'wind scoops' chaps .. by wearing ear plugs or anything else that helps to prevent damage and gradual hearing loss.  Don't think it can't happen to you .. it does !
 
I SAID .. Stay Safe     Polar Bear.

[Enceladus]

some really good comments here
couple of further questions ....
are the "make your own" earplugs that are advertised on fleabay any good ?
i use the foam roll up and expand ones at the moment and find them a real job to get right. what are the alternatives?
thanks

[Fuzzy]

I have found that the best ones for me are the reusable ones that look like in-ear earphones. Under £20, reuseable and easy to get in & out of your ears, easy to clean & come in different strengths of db. I think they are better at filtering wind noise out whilst letting enough of the right noises in compared to foamies. My current Alpine ones are one their way out after 2 years and have been looking at the Proguard Noizezz plugs to replace them (Proguard are known for making the expensive custom plugs).

My biggest gripes with foamy disposable types were that they were a pain to remove and refit at petrol stations or short journeys and got grimy quite easily. I keep those as spares & for pillions.

Its also important to get the right amount of noise cancellation. I think ones rated between 25 & 30dbs are the best. Keep my ears safe but don't get that isolated feeling or struggle to hear what people are saying.

[fazersharp]

I never used to but for the past few years have done so and find the lack of wind noise gives a far more relaxing ride. But If im just pottering into town I do not bother as wind noise is no a factor here.
 
I do have a problem with getting them in and to stay in when I pull on my lid on it rips them out -- so I cut them down by 1/4 to stop this. I use the standard yellow square edge ones.
 
Who can recomend anything better that these

[Phil TK]

 I've used the Earsoft FX pugs for years and have no complaints, easy to get in and out, they reduce the wind noise nicely and the all the chattery noises from the engine. I tuck them under the pelmet thing on my Arai when I get off the bike. I change them twice a week on average.
 
 Cheap too, 100 pairs £25
 http://www.protecdirect.co.uk/Disposable-Ear-Plugs/EARSOFT-FX-Earplugs-(ES-01-020).htm%3Futm_source%3DProtec%26utm_medium%3DFroogle%26utm_campaign%3DShopping?gclid=CObiivO5lrACFUxlfAodRgFv5g

[rufus t glasgow]

I tried without when I first started riding, but even with the Shoei XR-1000 which is supposed to be a quiet lid, I found the noise too tiring.

I use the Howard Leicht foam plugs at the moment, but I'm thinking of getting some of these "mould your own" ones someday.

After grahamm's recommendation I tried out a pair of these. I must admit I was a bit skeptical but they done a great job of cutting out the wind noise, espically on the motorway.I never felt cocconed at ant point I could still hear the bike.


I will be using ear plugs from here on in.

[breadlord]

Meniers disease is a fluid balance in the semicicular canals, IIRC. Alan Sheperd got it after his Mercury spaceflight and it grounded him. He got it surgically corrected and was the commander of Apollo 14, so it's not all doom and gloom...

[Grahamm]

I use the Howard Leicht foam plugs at the moment, but I'm thinking of getting some of these "mould your own" ones someday.

After grahamm's recommendation I tried out a pair of these. I must admit I was a bit skeptical but they done a great job of cutting out the wind noise, espically on the motorway.I never felt cocconed at ant point I could still hear the bike.

You're welcome : but was it the Howard Leicht or the "mould your own" ones?

[red98]

pardon........didnt quite catch that 

[rufus t glasgow]

I use the Howard Leicht foam plugs at the moment, but I'm thinking of getting some of these "mould your own" ones someday.

After grahamm's recommendation I tried out a pair of these. I must admit I was a bit skeptical but they done a great job of cutting out the wind noise, espically on the motorway.I never felt cocconed at ant point I could still hear the bike.

You're welcome : but was it the Howard Leicht or the "mould your own" ones?

the howard leicht ones

[breadlord]

I normally keep a couple sets of cheapo foam ones since I only use them for long journeys. That said, Napalm Death, Cannibal Corpse and Ministry have killed big chunks of my hearing.


I've been looking at some of those musicians' ones that just bring the volume down without masking the sound, but they're not cheap; you have to get them fitted, too.

[Grahamm]

was it the Howard Leicht or the "mould your own" ones?

the howard leicht ones

Ok, thanks.

I'm still a little iffy about the mould-your-own ones.

[Grahamm]

I've been looking at some of those musicians' ones that just bring the volume down without masking the sound, but they're not cheap; you have to get them fitted, too.

AIUI, unless you are a musician or need a completely flat frequency response, they're not any better for you on a bike than standard ones.

[breadlord]

AIUI, unless you are a musician or need a completely flat frequency response, they're not any better for you on a bike than standard ones.

Good to know before dropping £200 on a set!

[dolau]

I wear ear buds and listen to my-pod... probably noiier than the helmet noise

[maddog04]

never without them now, only use the cheap foam ones but they make a vast difference. If you do ride without them, try some then go back and ride without them and  you notice the wind noise and engine noise big time. You'll never ride without them again and your ears will thank you for it

[JZS 600]

Try riding for a bit with only one plug in and you will know why they are recommended.

[chaz]

yes always use them on bike, also use them at rallies and in my tent on a night although I tend to use just half of a soft plug (the pink nipple type) pushed well into me lugs so they aren't seen and don't rub when you're asleep, lol.

[MEM62]

Yes, because I like my hearing.