warning for all

[ohgood]

Ah the debate on hearing protection while riding. I do not use nor do I feel it does much good. If you are using it to reduce the annoyance of wind noise, exhaust, etc then go for it. If you feel it is reducing your hearing damage you are more than likely incorrect for two main reasons.

Hearing damage is mainly caused two ways. 1. Prolonged exposure to loud noises (> 80-85 dB) 2. Instantaneous loud noises (varies but anything over ~140 dB can cause instant damage)

The first is less obvious as to what causes damage, as I will explain but the second is not. Basically any loud noise that makes you say "ow" is loud enough to do damage, whether you notice it immediately or not.

Both of these causes are not present for many of us who ride I would say. While yes, we are definitely experiencing over 85 dB on our bikes its (typically) not over a long period of time. If you are not on your bike 4-8 hours each and every day, this is not causing you much hearing damage. That prolonged exposure is what you see as a occupational hazard. I.E. The guy whose job is to use a jackhammer 6-8 hours everyday, 40 hours a week. This is where those "mildly" loud noises over long periods of time cause damage. Most of us do not fit this category on our bikes. How many hours a week do you typically ride? Few approach that "occupational hazard" level. If you have hearing damage and are not riding hour and hours every day, its from something else.

Those instant loud noises, not what we typically encounter on our bikes. I have data from my current bike I will share in a bit.

You also have to consider how well hearing protection works against different frequencies and how loud we perceive them. A very low frequencies does not seem as loud as other but the dB rating (and possible damage caused) is the same.  These low frequencies are not protected as well by ear plugs. The typical low drone of some wind noise falls into this category. When ever you see people measuring noise you may notice that is measured with A or C weighting. This is how the instrument interprets the noise and gives a dB rating equivalent to how we hear the sounds. The A weighting scale is more accurate to the human ear, representing low frequencies as lower dB, while the C weighting scale is a flatter curve, displaying lower frequencies at a higher dB and more accurate to the true noise level. Does this matter? Yes, low frequencies are harmful even if they dont seem as loud. The C weighting scale makes up for this. When you choose hearing protection you will see a dB rating that it reduces the noise by. If the noise is measured in dBA, you can reduce that protection factor by about 7 or 8 dB. If its in dBC, it is accurate. Most noise is measured in dBA, so some plugs are not as protective as you may think....

What im trying to say is that the benefit from hearing protection doesnt really out weight the costs. That is, not being able to hear important sounds around you, due to all these factors. The sirens, cars honking etc are blocked by ear plugs as well. While the low drone of other noises that impede your hearing are not. This along with the fact that some hearing protection is rated "incorrectly" it may not be helping you nearly as much as you think.

Now, to a test I did with my bike (Triumph Street Triple with loud exhaust). I mounted a microphone to my collar and rode about 35 minutes with a noise dosimeter. This records the sound levels multiple times a second. On a highway run my average level was 104 dB. There was a continuous max of 121 dB (prolonged 85 MPH +) and a peak of 145 dB (hard acceleration). I could not get the mic in my helmet but this was the best representation of wind noise+exhaust and ambient. Yes, this is all in the range of damaging BUT this is not something I experience over the course of an 8 hour day, everyday. If I rode for 3-4 hours a day like this, everyday, that would be different. Most of us do not fall in this category so therefore the benefits of earplugs do not make wearing them on short, infrequent rides necessary.

I am a health and safety specialist at a university and I work with this type of equipment and give training on hearing protection. I am able to collect some real world data, interpret it and see how it all relates to hearing protection. Most of the noise from my test, fell in the lower frequency range that ear plugs do not protect you as well from. The accelerations and spikes in noise fell in the higher frequencies obviously. I wont say not to wear protection, but unless you ride a lot its likely not a major contributor to hearing loss.

Tom

PS: Sorry for the essay but I just wanted to interject my understanding on the subject. I am well aware that this information will not make any of you take out your hearing protection.

That's neat. I'm still wearing ear plugs to protect my ears.
And leathers for my skin.
And gloves.
And boots.
And a helmet.
Even if its less than 8 hours, because screwing with maybes makes babies.

[Erika]

I'm a believer in hearing protection. I used to resist and say it didn't matter simply because I didn't want to feel like I had to wear protection. But after trying it on long rides, I am now convinced hearing protection is necessary to prevent hearing lose. I have tinnitus and don't want it get worse. I have a good Shoei helmet that is quieter inside, but after wearing ear plugs, it is a very noticeable difference in noise reduction. I've also found it more enjoyable to ride with earplugs and am amazed at how distracting wind noise can be when I ride without plugs. I can still hear cars and clues from the environment from my surroundings, but the annoying louder noises are greatly reduced. I can actually hear myself breathing inside my helmet, and also hear a car next to me.

I'm not saying, "You MUST wear ear plugs when you ride". It is a choice, like how much gear you like to put up with for safety. I can make a suggestion, though. I have a 200 packet box of earplugs in the garage and grab a handful to have on-hand. These have worked the best for me, although those Moldex Spark Plug earplugs look like they're worth a try... I may check that out next time I run out.

http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-17097/Hearing-Protection/Laser-Lite-Earplugs-Uncorded?pricode=WU344&gadtype=pla&id=34610267962&gclid=CJzTite2xroCFbN9Ogod1ScAJQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

http://www.moldex.com/hearing-protection/foam-earplugs/sparkplugs.php

[Dr.McNinja]

delete this.

[Suzuki Stevo]

I have been in manufacturing since 1972 and have had a chance to use allot of different kind of foam ear plugs, and I'm not saying I have tried them all, but the most comfortable one I have used to date is the Howard Leight MAX1

[yamahonkawazuki]

I have been in manufacturing since 1972 and have had a chance to use allot of different kind of foam ear plugs, and I'm not saying I have tried them all, but the most comfortable one I have used to date is the Howard Leight MAX1

got a box full of these thigns I found in a toolbox I pulled to sell. they work wonders. in times past, id take my 44spl out to shoot. sans hearing protection. after 10rds, I am noticing ringing, then later on hearing is less than ideal and close to being non existant.