Earplugs?

[Old_Rider_54]

A while back, when I was complaining  about helmet noise caused by my windshield, Bumblebee indicated that earplugs should be considered a necessity .    I have never worn earplugs through many years of dirt biking, enduro races, etc. (what???), but I'm trying a set of earplugs out this weekend because the buffetting helmet noise is driving me nuts.    I came across articles on helmet noise and earplugs yesterday and thought I'd share them.

Helmet noise:  http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/helmet-noise.htm

Earplugs:  http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm

[Hondo]

I almost always wear them - short jaunts around town I don't.

[Bumblebee]

Once you try them, you'll never go back. 

I never ride at without them other than short 10-15mph putter around the parking lot kind of post maintenance checks. I've always protected my hearing whether it's motorcycles, guns, airplanes, long range driving, machine shops/power tools, shooting or whatever makes a lot of noise. I'm 44 years old and can still hear frequencies and sounds that 18 year old kids can't hear. Snow hitting the roof of my motorhome will wake me up at night - seriously, it really does.

I found that a breath guard and chin curtains on helmets help reduce noise. Position of the windshield changes the airflow thus induced sound on the helmet as well. I'm currently experimenting with airflow around the helmet while riding to see how I should cut down my plexifairing3 windscreen to get more of the helmet in clean air. I think I'm going to be taking a saw to a few inches of the top at some point once I can figure out exactly how I want it cut.

Another benefit to sound reduction is fatigue control. Without earplugs I can drive my motorhome for about 7 hours before I'm completely exhausted. Put earplugs in and I reach that same exhaustion level at about 15 hours. Add my aviation headsets to that and it goes to about 17 hours. Think about that the next time you're exhausted on the motorcycle as you arrive back in the city with all the traffic.

I buy in bulk. Home depot and $14 will buy you a box of 80 sets of purple and orange earplugs that work really well.

IMNSHO, earplugs should be considered essential just like full face helmets.

BTW: Don't forget to get the plug in your ear canal like it's supposed to be. Having them shoved into the outer portion of your ear does very little in the way of controlling sound. You know you have it right when you get them in and a few seconds after that, ambient sound in the environment you're in goes away as the foam expands. It's like going deaf in 10 seconds.

[pryan67]

here's a question for those that wear earplugs...

doesn't it effect how well you can hear the other vehicles, etc as well?  Does that effect your riding at all? I like to be aware of my surroundings, regardless of the vehicle...but the noise IS bad on the bike...I don't want to endanger my safety though

[pryan67]

btw, you can also get 200 pair for 20.95 at amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Laser-Earplugs-Cords/dp/B0007XJOLG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1244646850&sr=8-2

[ROJ]

Earplugs dampen the ambient noise, but you can still hear surprisingly well. The only time I don't wear mine is to work (10 minute ride) or when I think something is up with the engine. Otherwise I always wear them, and I can still hear cars/trucks around me as well as horns, and other loud noises around.  Besides, you should always know when other cars are around you from mirrors, blind spot checks, etc. etc. And as Bumblebee stated, they great increase the drive time due to less fatigue on your body.

[detdrbuzzard]

i can never get earplugs to stay in. they were going to make us wear them on the job when i was driving trucks. they showed us the proper was to roll the earplugs for insertion but mine wouldn't stay in. a supervisor and the company doc came over to make sure i was doing it right, the next set of earplugs came out. the doc went and washed and dried her hands, rolled up the ear pulgs and put them in my ears for me. less than two minutes later they came out. told them i needed ear muffs at the start. seeing they couldn't make an exception for me that program got scrapped and they said i couldn't drive with ear muffs on

[Bumblebee]

here's a question for those that wear earplugs...

doesn't it effect how well you can hear the other vehicles, etc as well?  Does that effect your riding at all? I like to be aware of my surroundings, regardless of the vehicle...but the noise IS bad on the bike...I don't want to endanger my safety though

Not in the least. Being too aware of your surroundings results in sensory overload to the point you can't do anything useful with the information.

Ever try to have a normal voice level conversation with someone in a room full of hysterically screaming people? Now take away the screaming people and replace them with sensible sound levels and have the same conversation at the same voice levels. Notice the difference?

I can hear a lot more of what is going on around me with earplugs than without them. The earplugs eliminate the wide spectrum of background high intensity sound that's just engine, road and wind noise. All that's left at that point is significantly reduced engine/road/wind noise and the stuff that's actually going on around you. Technically it reduces other sounds around you as well however you've eliminated the screaming people from the above scenario thus eliminated the sensory overload problem.

Riding is 95%+ visual anyway. By the time a cage is close enough to hear it, you're already deep in the easily impacted range thus already seriously screwed up the anti-collision safety issue.

IMO, earplugs reducing awareness falls in the same category as helmets limiting visual range. It explodes my BS detector every time.

[pryan67]

here's a question for those that wear earplugs...

doesn't it effect how well you can hear the other vehicles, etc as well?  Does that effect your riding at all? I like to be aware of my surroundings, regardless of the vehicle...but the noise IS bad on the bike...I don't want to endanger my safety though

Not in the least. Being too aware of your surroundings results in sensory overload to the point you can't do anything useful with the information.

Ever try to have a normal voice level conversation with someone in a room full of hysterically screaming people? Now take away the screaming people and replace them with sensible sound levels and have the same conversation at the same voice levels. Notice the difference?

I can hear a lot more of what is going on around me with earplugs than without them. The earplugs eliminate the wide spectrum of background high intensity sound that's just engine, road and wind noise. All that's left at that point is significantly reduced engine/road/wind noise and the stuff that's actually going on around you. Technically it reduces other sounds around you as well however you've eliminated the screaming people from the above scenario thus eliminated the sensory overload problem.

Riding is 95%+ visual anyway. By the time a cage is close enough to hear it, you're already deep in the easily impacted range thus already seriously screwed up the anti-collision safety issue.

IMO, earplugs reducing awareness falls in the same category as helmets limiting visual range. It explodes my BS detector every time.

EXCELLENT points...

That's what I love about this place...you don't get attacked for asking a dumb n00b question (Like I asked *LOL*)...but rather people explain the reasons for what they do.

[Bumblebee]

That's what I love about this place...you don't get attacked for asking a dumb n00b question (Like I asked *LOL*)...but rather people explain the reasons for what they do.

I refuse to discuss the stupid questions that I'm known to ask. If I did, you'd certainly spit your drink all over your computer and you'll certainly choke from laughing so hard.

If you don't know, you don't know and there's three ways to find out - figure it out yourself which can take forever, luckily run across someone else with the same question and watch them solve it or make a fool of themselves, or just ask and get it overwith. As for laughing at you, in 10 minutes the laughter will be over and you'll be smarter for it...and there are probably 20 other people in the room that had the same question but was too afraid to ask.

It's always the simple basic questions that gets people the most or causes the most problems for them.


As for the subject at hand, just put your earplugs in and don't worry about it.

[pryan67]

That's what I love about this place...you don't get attacked for asking a dumb n00b question (Like I asked *LOL*)...but rather people explain the reasons for what they do.

I refuse to discuss the stupid questions that I'm known to ask. If I did, you'd certainly spit your drink all over your computer and you'll certainly choke from laughing so hard.

If you don't know, you don't know and there's three ways to find out - figure it out yourself which can take forever, luckily run across someone else with the same question and watch them solve it or make a fool of themselves, or just ask and get it overwith. As for laughing at you, in 10 minutes the laughter will be over and you'll be smarter for it...and there are probably 20 other people in the room that had the same question but was too afraid to ask.

It's always the simple basic questions that gets people the most or causes the most problems for them.


As for the subject at hand, just put your earplugs in and don't worry about it.

*LOL* Oh, I've asked my share of stupid questions on other boards as well...

one of them my first post was one of the DUMBEST questions ever...I'm now a moderator there (creditboards.com)...I learned well :)

[DesignFlaw06]

Earplugs? No. I do have my wireless headphones built in. Earplugs will just prevent  . In all seriousness, my HJC helmet has inserts for the ear holes to cut back on the noise. They're removable in case you want an intercom system. But I did find a way to get the headphones in and the inserts in, making the music easier to hear and drown out the wind and road noise.

[CraigF]

This is my third riding season and I want to give earplugs a try.  

• Buy in bulk and throw away after each ride?
• Buy in bulk but wear them a few times?  How many?
• Disposable or non?
• String or stringless?

Thanks!

[FocusPlayer]

WAY cheeper when you buy a bunch..  even if it's just 25 pair from Lowes - 
I use them once and toss them... however, if they go thru the wash... with clothes... I sometimes let them dry a day or two and re-use them.

When I was doing farm stuff I used them pretty often too - so I had quite a few that didn't make it out of my pockets before they hit the washer.

[Bumblebee]

I buy a box of 80 disposables in bulk and use them until they get too dirty, let more sound in, get too squishy, or get lost. Clean them as needed and don't forget to clean your ears (carefully) occasionally as well. Always carry extras in your crash jacket. They usually last several weeks per pair of daily use and a box of 80 will last quite a while.

No clue about string. There is absolutely no way stringed earplugs would stay in while putting my tight fitting helmet on.

Installing them properly is the big thing. You have to get them into the outer ear canal or they're useless.

[happycommuter]

I use stringed reusable earplugs.  Single use are something you have to stock, and they tend to be those foam ones that are a pain to insert, collect dirt like crazy.  String just keeps the pair together.  Toss them in the helmet with gloves between uses, rinse occasionally or just rub the crud off between fingers in a pinch.

I found the model that fits me comfortably and effectively by going through an Aerostich sample kit several years back.

[Tryvelcro]

i can never get earplugs to stay in. they were going to make us wear them on the job when i was driving trucks. they showed us the proper was to roll the earplugs for insertion but mine wouldn't stay in. a supervisor and the company doc came over to make sure i was doing it right, the next set of earplugs came out. the doc went and washed and dried her hands, rolled up the ear pulgs and put them in my ears for me. less than two minutes later they came out. told them i needed ear muffs at the start. seeing they couldn't make an exception for me that program got scrapped and they said i couldn't drive with ear muffs on

They make better ones.  Back in the olden days, when I was in the Navy, we on the flying squad had to get sized for ear plugs since they offered more protection than the foamies.  Lost them in a move, but they were awesome.

Go to an ear doctor, or one of those hearing aid centers.  You can get a pair sized for your ears & ear structure.  Try 'em, you'll like 'em.

[fishmeister]

http://www.amazon.com/Airsoft-DP-AS-1-Reuseable-Earplugs-Howard/dp/B0008GKHYA

These were and are the best I've ever used for decades of choices. Easily applied, soft and comfortable, a cinch to wash.

[Brittles]

There is a company that will make custom fitted plugs, while you wait, at most bike events that I've been to......can't remember the name or price.

[LOKi]

http://www.amazon.com/Airsoft-DP-AS-1-Reuseable-Earplugs-Howard/dp/B0008GKHYA

These were and are the best I've ever used for decades of choices. Easily applied, soft and comfortable, a cinch to wash.

I tried some of those when my headphones broke. Worst ear plugs ever! Well at least for me. They just didn't fit right, so made no difference. Now if something happens to my headphones and I can't get music to play I'll still put them in. The headphones are noise canceling, have various tips to fit any ear and have the added up side of a little hole through the center that pipes in music.

Oh yea, I figured out how to fix the headphones. Headphones wires are tricky. You can't just tie the correct wires together. There is a Teflon coating or something on the wire that prevents any kind of connection. It's how they run apparently naked wires next to each other. So first hit it with a lighter. I used the little torch on my travel solder iron. Torch the end THEN you can solder it to the new wire.

[ToddW]

I'm a huge fan of earplugs when riding any distance over 20-30 minutes. I find the ride more enjoyable with much less fatigue from my noisy Shoei helmet.  I'm fortunate to work for a large manufacturing company that extends their safety expectations into our home life as well.  Therefore, we are encouraged to take earplugs home for personal use.  We have several different types of disposable plugs and no one type seems to be the universal preference.  I'm partial to the foam plugs.  Because I can't always find a new pair of foam plugs in my house when I need them, I make sure to send a dirty set through the washing machine in a pants pocket every so often.
I think the noise filtered out actually allows many other sounds, especially higher pitches, to be heard much more easily.

[CraigF]

Does anyone use earplugs had have speakers in their helmet?   

I have a Parrot SK4000--it's bluetooth for phone calls (which I never initiate, and seldom take), and has an FM radio (which I use regularly).

I didn't ride today (odds of drunk people on the road are high today), but I plan on buying some earplugs today for tomorrow's commute.

[muttstang]

I definitely like to have them on if I'm going any longer then 15-20 minutes.  I notice that I hear things better around me while riding with the plugs in.  It knocks the ambient noise down enough where you can notice the more important sounds easier.

[LOKi]

I use these. ER6i. Alone they are good ear plugs. Get a sample pack of the ends to find out what works best in your ear. When you do want music a low volume can be herd quite clear. I use them every day commuting.



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[Soupskin]

Does anyone use earplugs had have speakers in their helmet?  

I have a Parrot SK4000--it's bluetooth for phone calls (which I never initiate, and seldom take), and has an FM radio (which I use regularly).

I didn't ride today (odds of drunk people on the road are high today), but I plan on buying some earplugs today for tomorrow's commute.

I have an SK4000 as well and love it.

I use the Bluetooth to stream Pandora and get GPS navigation voice instructions from my cell phone. http://www.pandora.com/