Tried riding with earplugs once and now I don't ride without them. I tried washing a pair of the disposable ones yesterday, and once they dry, they are good as new! So now they aren't so disposable. :woohoo:
I wear earplugs with my half helmet. not too worried about reusing earplugs. I work in aviation so we have foamie boxes everywhere.
I bought a package of them because I liked the idea, but for the majority of riding I just thought it was worse. I would still use them on a long highway trip, but around town they're awful. they quieted down the exhaust but magnified other things. Just general body moving, feet on the ground, head moving around. You never notice those things normally, but try sticking your fingers in your ears and then let your teeth touch. Way louder, I ended up getting a headache after a while, plus my ears always feel weird after from having something stuck in them.
Ear plugs? How does the sound get to them? I use these:
(http://www.zapsonline.com/43280-29397-thickbox/skullcandy-ink-d-sc-purple-and-black-earphones-dcs2incz-043.jpg)
Quote from: redhenracing2 on November 12, 2010, 07:01:57 PM
Ear plugs? How does the sound get to them? I use these:
(http://www.zapsonline.com/43280-29397-thickbox/skullcandy-ink-d-sc-purple-and-black-earphones-dcs2incz-043.jpg)
what are those? do they cancel outside sound?
Nah. He listens to music while he rides.
I commute back and forth to work with earplugs. They make the trip so much more comfortable. Something about the the wind noise and such muffled takes the edge off.
Quote from: redhawkdancing on November 12, 2010, 09:10:47 PM
what are those? do they cancel outside sound?
SkullCandy earbuds, the best headphones you'll ever buy, at the low cost of $10. They work perfectly for riding, small size so they aren't disturbed by putting on/taking off your helmet. They cancel outside noise VERY well, not that I would purposefully just block out sound. If I'm not listening to music, I'm listening to the angelic tone of my exhaust pipe :angel:
Quote from: redhenracing2 on November 12, 2010, 07:01:57 PM
Ear plugs? How does the sound get to them? I use these:
(http://www.zapsonline.com/43280-29397-thickbox/skullcandy-ink-d-sc-purple-and-black-earphones-dcs2incz-043.jpg)
I've never had a pair of Skullcandy earbuds last more than three months, so I've stopped buying them. I tried Smokin' Buds, Ink'd Buds, and the FMJs, and they all died prematurely. Skullcandy's customer service was lousy too when I tried to get warranty replacements.
Maybe I'll look into a pair of those for the random occasion that I actually have to use the GPS in my phone to find my way home, haha. Once or twice I've had to keep pulling over to check my phone to see where I'm supposed to turn.
Aside from the other noise I hear, I've gotta say I'm horribly uncomfortable riding with my hearing muffled. Even though the majority of what I hear is wind and exhaust noise, I definitely value my hearing as far as my ability to ride goes. I feel almost unbalanced when I can't hear anything. If you guys are gonna try it, make sure you do it when you're not around a lot of traffic.
Quote from: redhenracing2 on November 12, 2010, 07:01:57 PM
Ear plugs? How does the sound get to them? I use these:
(http://www.zapsonline.com/43280-29397-thickbox/skullcandy-ink-d-sc-purple-and-black-earphones-dcs2incz-043.jpg)
I know guys who ride with music. I've always kind of avoided it because of the distraction factor. hampton roads isn't the safest place for motorcyclists anyway so I do everything I can to be on the ready :2guns:
Quote from: k.rollin on November 12, 2010, 09:56:47 PM
I've never had a pair of Skullcandy earbuds last more than three months, so I've stopped buying them. I tried Smokin' Buds, Ink'd Buds, and the FMJs, and they all died prematurely. Skullcandy's customer service was lousy too when I tried to get warranty replacements.
Interesting, I have had a few pairs of the Ink'd in green, purple, and currently bronze and none of them died before being damaged by something else:
one set, my pit bull got ahold of;
one pair took a trip through the washing machine/dryer and still worked perfectly, but then my gf borrowed them and slammed them in the door of her car somehow
I will never buy another brand of headphones. I also have some of their dj style headphones (the 'Hesh' model w/ 40mm drivers) and they sound absolutely amazing. I would recommend any of the company's products to anybody, sorry that you've had a bad experience with them.
I read somewhere before that wearing ear protection on a motorcycle also keeps you healthier. Assuming wind is passing over your ears, it can cause an ear infection or something.
For quick jaunts to work (8 minutes) or to the local store (4 minutes) I don't wear them. But for any longer trips they are rather comfortable IMO. There are so many different types of foam plugs: some are narrow and offer less protection but can be more comfortable.
Quote from: k.rollin on November 12, 2010, 09:56:47 PM
Quote from: redhenracing2 on November 12, 2010, 07:01:57 PM
Ear plugs? How does the sound get to them? I use these:
(http://www.zapsonline.com/43280-29397-thickbox/skullcandy-ink-d-sc-purple-and-black-earphones-dcs2incz-043.jpg)
I've never had a pair of Skullcandy earbuds last more than three months, so I've stopped buying them. I tried Smokin' Buds, Ink'd Buds, and the FMJs, and they all died prematurely. Skullcandy's customer service was lousy too when I tried to get warranty
replacements.
woot.com, watch for the KOSS noise canceling buds for $5 a pair shipped. excellent bass, excellent cancelling. I use them in the machine shop. good for -20 DB or so too. :-)
I use these when I ride http://www.amazon.com/Zune-JDA-00001-Premium-Headphones-v2/dp/B000VWOL3O
Best in ear headphones I have ever had.
They are the only headphones I use on or off the bike and they are still working perfectly after over a year.
For highway rides I use 'Hearos'. I bought them from the local music store- I prefer them over the foamy kind. A bit expensive- around $15.
-K
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm)
Quote from: Big Rich on November 13, 2010, 01:21:51 AM
I read somewhere before that wearing ear protection on a motorcycle also keeps you healthier. Assuming wind is passing over your ears, it can cause an ear infection or something.
I think that's something to do with how my ears feel weird after I use them. My ears often feel weird after a ride, whether I used the ear plugs or not, almost like there's water in them or something. I've thought I might have an ear infection for a while now, but I rarely go to the doctors for a checkup, so I'm not sure. I used to get them when I was little sometimes, and I never even noticed until I had a checkup and the doctor would tell me, so I figure chances are good that might be what's going on.
You think $15 is expensive for ear headphones? Man, you guys need to come down to Aust. $15 Might get you the cheap useless pair. Maybe a good pair for $70!
I tried riding with headphones in once. Too distracting at lower speed. And to hear them at speed the volume was uncomfortable at low speed. The cords were annoying. Blech. I'd rather listen to the sound of the helmt cutting through the air, the noises the bike makes, etc., and be in my own thoughts.
Sometimes I use earplugs - foam ones. We get them free at work. Either the conical shaped ones or the cylinder shaped ones - both which you roll between your fingers and poke into your ear a tad. If you find such things uncomfortable in your ear canal, don't push them in so deep. They general have a 27dB noise reduction. You might not want/need to much reduction. In which case, put them at the opening of your ear. It won't force the canal open but will give you some reduction.
Michael
I very rarely ride without them...we get them for free from work, so yeah, I wear them all the time...if I'm staying in town and only going for a quick ride to run an errand I may not put them in, but that's pretty rare.
I've lost enough of my hearing due to music and shop noises, I'm not taking any chances. Plus I find it quite peaceful having them in and can just enjoy the ride.
Later.
I've tried not pushing them in as far, but they just fall back out. I'll find the right answer some day.
Wear earplugs nearly every time I'm one the bike. I'd prefer to save my hearing. I've heard of plenty of the raafies talking about the difference in their annual hearing tests from just riding down to the medical centre with plugs in. That tells me that everytime I ride without them I'm doing alot more damage than I first thought. End result, ride with them.
Oh and I use the foam ones you roll in your fingers cause they are free at work too. Roll them tight and jam them in deep, they never fall out.
most drug stores sell 50 pair for $10 or so. the purple kind in a plastic tub are extremely soft, roll them tight, hold them while expanding, and enjoy the quiet.
the super cheap hard foam ones that are scratchy likely turned the whole world off to ear plugs. they are terrible, irritating and get nasty with one use.
be careful if you use noise cancelling ear buds (with music) too. if you can't hear a friend standing next to you, the music is too loud and you can't hear a cars horn right behind you. turn it down !
keep an eye on woot.com for the $4 (shipped!) KOSS noise cancelling ear buds. volume control on the chord, -20dB cancelling, and very, very good sound quality. for four dollars. shipped.
Quote from: ohgood on November 14, 2010, 06:53:52 AM
if you can't hear a friend standing next to you, the music is too loud and you can't hear a cars horn right behind you. .
Meh, I just make sure I'm going faster than everyone else. Everybody is trying to hit me, so I make sure they can't catch me. A quick twist of the throttle and I'm out of any potential trouble.
When in doubt, throttle it out O0
Quote from: madjak30 on November 13, 2010, 03:25:18 PM
I very rarely ride without them...we get them for free from work, so yeah, I wear them all the time...if I'm staying in town and only going for a quick ride to run an errand I may not put them in, but that's pretty rare.
I've lost enough of my hearing due to music and shop noises, I'm not taking any chances. Plus I find it quite peaceful having them in and can just enjoy the ride.
Later.
Yup, exactly madjak, I wear mine all the time if I ride for longer than 10 mins because it's not worth losing my hearing. My ears ring quite often due to the loud music I listen to, usually at concerts. I figured that if I dont have 30 seconds to put it on, then I'm running late and need to wake up earlier.
I use an in helmet set of headphones that velcro in, when I am not on the bike the only headphones i use are over the ear sennheisers for just listening to music, or if I need a full headset I use steel series headsets
Quote from: Firstoni on November 15, 2010, 07:44:27 AM
I use an in helmet set of headphones that velcro in, when I am not on the bike the only headphones i use are over the ear sennheisers for just listening to music, or if I need a full headset I use steel series headsets
You're doing tremendous damage to your hearing because you have to up the volume to mask the the low frequency wind roar in the helmet. This makes you unware of the damage done to your hearing by the ambient noise plus does further damage by playing music loud enough to overcome a 100~103db background noise level.
Wind roar in helmets is at a low frequency so it doesn't seem that damaging but ask a guy like me who has been riding for 25 years just how much we like saying what? or Huh? Sorry I didn't hear you. All because of the screaming tinnitus in our ears. Take care of your hearing at all times, you have already chosen to wear gear to increase your odds of surviving why no tinsure that your future quality of life will be pleasent, take it from me non stop ringing in your ears sucks great green wart covererd donkey schlongs.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/helmet-noise.htm
These are inexpensive do them yourself no need to go to an audiologist, I used 1/2 the material to make some custom fit molds for my shure e2c earbuds and the other half of the material mas more than sufficient to make a nice low profile set of plugs that I wear under my electronic hearing protectors on the range or under my helmet when riding.
http://www.radians.com/main/p-282-radians-custom-molded-earplugs.aspx
I believe the most recent studies actually point to the most damage to your hearing being done by the helmet itself transferring of the sound directly threw your bones to your inner ear (making ear plugs, ear buds etc entirely useless)
http://www.motorcycleinsurance.org/motorcycle-helmets-may-cause-hearing-loss/ (http://www.motorcycleinsurance.org/motorcycle-helmets-may-cause-hearing-loss/)
And no I don't turn up the headphones to drown out the air noise over my helmet, at highway speed I am unable to hear it, but since 90% of my hour commute to work is 35 mph or less, I like to have a little music to keep myself from falling asleep while waiting for traffic to get outa my way =P (kidding about the falling asleep part, its mostly for live traffic reports so if I need to take a different route I can but the music is nice too) Also my headphones have a built in noise sensor that will raise and lower the volume a little bit depending on the ambient noise around me.
The headphones are not doing any more damage to my ears as just wearing the helmet in the first place, and considering I am wearing a modular helmet THAT'S probably doing more damage to my hearing then anything (thus why I am saving up for an x-twelve ....)
Also most hearing damage is caused by regular constant noise (such as the wind noise at 60 mph for 2 hours at a time) anything that causes variations in that actually helps save your hearing, its interesting what you learn when you work for an agency like NASA ....
Quote from: bettingpython on November 16, 2010, 08:06:52 AM
These are inexpensive do them yourself no need to go to an audiologist, I used 1/2 the material to make some custom fit molds for my shure e2c earbuds and the other half of the material mas more than sufficient to make a nice low profile set of plugs that I wear under my electronic hearing protectors on the range or under my helmet when riding.
http://www.radians.com/main/p-282-radians-custom-molded-earplugs.aspx
I like those. I've been thinking about something like that because the others I've tryed hurt my ears after a few days of commuting with them.
When I picked up my last bike I had a 5 hour highway ride home. I didn't think to take earplugs because it had been so long since I did any real highway riding, and by the time I got home I felt so sick I thought I was going to die. I had a brand new bike and didn't even want to ride it until about 3 days later. It's surprising to see how much it really affects you just beyond a normal headache when you do it for extended periods of time. I love naked bikes, but the longer I ride the more and more I consider something with a fairing, even if it's just a removable windshield or something for when I'm on the highway.
Next thing you know you'll be telling us about your high IQ and degree plans, like we really care where you work.
You may not have a long highway commute but many of us who do ride do more than putter around at 35mph most of our lives, I am usually on the bike for a 8~10 hours a day when I go riding, up until the last few years almost every trip I ever went on I was on a motorcycle, I have first hand experience with the long term damage caused by riding without earplugs under my lid and 2 audiologists over the past couple of years with diagnosis that confirm it.
Hey it's your hearing though if you're too smart to listen to people that lhave ong term experience that's fine, but what you learn at NASA may not be the reality you think it is.
When I first started to ride, I didn't think about ear plugs...never really occured to me...but I really didn't like hitting the hiway, it just seemed to busy and not enjoyable. I think it was on the BBM forum that someone suggested the earplugs...taking away the wind noise made riding the hiway quite enjoyable...the higher speed and the more calm, made it quite fun really...now it's just part of my routine to put them in and I feel naked when I don't wear them...
Removed
Quote from: bettingpython on November 16, 2010, 01:22:02 PM
Next thing you know you'll be telling us about your high IQ and degree plans, like we really care where you work.
You may not have a long highway commute but many of us who do ride do more than putter around at 35mph most of our lives, I am usually on the bike for a 8~10 hours a day when I go riding, up until the last few years almost every trip I ever went on I was on a motorcycle, I have first hand experience with the long term damage caused by riding without earplugs under my lid and 2 audiologists over the past couple of years with diagnosis that confirm it.
Hey it's your hearing though if you're too smart to listen to people that lhave ong term experience that's fine, but what you learn at NASA may not be the reality you think it is.
Hrm I like how you assume I haven't been to college yet or that I cant possibly have been riding a motorcycle long, and my IQ is honestly none of your business, but thanks for the compliment.
To be more specific you have long term experience with hearing loss while riding with a helmet, as I stated recent studies say that the ear plugs likely make little to no difference.
And your right there are many people that do more then putter around as you said but you directed your statement at me so I replied nicely and gave a few more details as to my current riding habits and why I don't ride with earplugs, or jam speakers directly into my ears with the wires trailed into my jacket to get caught on something if I go down and rip up my ear canal when they are jerked out at a less then ideal angle. If you where looking to place a more generalized statement to our peers to not use velcro in helmet headphones due to your perceived auditory danger then be my guest, you have your right to your own opinion, you may just want to phrase it as such next time.
As for where I have worked, nope you probably don't care but they have had at least one acoustical testing lab designed specifically to test things like this exhaustively for somewhere around ~ 55 ish years, I would expect them to have a clue as to what can cause hearing loss at this point.
Finally, I am not only smart enough to listen, but to qualify the statements said to me and judge there usefulness in direct relation to myself, along with being smart enough to know that what is good for the gander isn't always whats good for the goose.
Quote from: JB848 on November 16, 2010, 01:38:54 PM
While I am no way an aficionado on hearing I can only speak from experience. My Father was in the Navy for 3 years on a Destroyer and was a Radio repairman and after that he worked for the ARMY Civil service until he retired. There were always high pitch noises around him when he worked at the Depot but at home he always wore hearing protection of some kind. I can't speak of his hearing protection at work because I was not there of course but by his early 50's he was deaf as a door nail and needed special hearing aids.
So what I will say is hearing protection at all times is important, be very careful around high pitch noises. I myself wear them always and I never was a big fan of loud music so hopefully I won't be wearing hearing aids too soon if ever.
I personally think there will soon be a hearing crisis world wide when all these people come of age that have been using these ear buds and head phones that amplify the damage that is done to the inner ear nerves. I pray that I am wrong.
But yes use ear protection anytime you feel it is too loud and the foam roll up or the 3 flange rubber are simple and effective to use! What? :thumb:
What a well phrased and qualified post JB848, thank you for your input.
Quote from: JB848 on November 16, 2010, 01:38:54 PM
I myself wear them always and I never was a big fan of loud music so hopefully I won't be wearing hearing aids too soon if ever.
I personally think there will soon be a hearing crisis world wide when all these people come of age that have been using these ear buds and head phones that amplify the damage that is done to the inner ear nerves. I pray that I am wrong.
I don't plan to get old enough to need a hearing aid.
Removed
I still don't see what IQ has to do with whats being discussed here =P
I still like JB's post and the phrasing there in.
I took an online iq test (inaccurate source, I know) that put me just below 150. Also in military entrance I took the ASVAB and scored a 94, where the maximum is a 99 and the average is about a 58. I would like to take real, credible IQ test one day just for kicks and giggles.
Quote from: bettingpython on November 16, 2010, 08:06:52 AM
These are inexpensive do them yourself no need to go to an audiologist, I used 1/2 the material to make some custom fit molds for my shure e2c earbuds and the other half of the material mas more than sufficient to make a nice low profile set of plugs that I wear under my electronic hearing protectors on the range or under my helmet when riding.
http://www.radians.com/main/p-282-radians-custom-molded-earplugs.aspx
Awesome! Ordered a set. Do you think I could easily integrate a set of ear buds?
Quote from: Paulcet on November 16, 2010, 07:29:44 PM
Quote from: bettingpython on November 16, 2010, 08:06:52 AM
These are inexpensive do them yourself no need to go to an audiologist, I used 1/2 the material to make some custom fit molds for my shure e2c earbuds and the other half of the material mas more than sufficient to make a nice low profile set of plugs that I wear under my electronic hearing protectors on the range or under my helmet when riding.
http://www.radians.com/main/p-282-radians-custom-molded-earplugs.aspx
Awesome! Ordered a set. Do you think I could easily integrate a set of ear buds?
I was disappointed with the final results of my molds with the shure e2c's, might try it again sometime if I order another kit. Although they are comfortable they lost a lot of volume and dynamic range from not sealing like the expanding foam ear buds. They're more comfortable to wear but I find myself using 30 to 40 percent more volume.
http://boingboing.net/2010/08/27/make-your-own-custom.html
Quote from: Firstoni on November 16, 2010, 09:45:17 AM
I believe the most recent studies actually point to the most damage to your hearing being done by the helmet itself transferring of the sound directly threw your bones to your inner ear (making ear plugs, ear buds etc entirely useless)
http://www.motorcycleinsurance.org/motorcycle-helmets-may-cause-hearing-loss/ (http://www.motorcycleinsurance.org/motorcycle-helmets-may-cause-hearing-loss/)
Just checked this link - while they say that it's not the bike that causes hearing loss, it's the wind crossing over the helmet. But they fail to mention how loud wind is going over unprotected ear canals can be.
Without doing my own research, even the wind going over a helmet would act as a buffer to what's going over our ears. This same research about the noise being transmitted through bones making earbuds useless was also brought up with rifles. There was research saying that the rifle blast was still reaching the inner ear from the stock and into the ear - I've spent WAY too much time at a rifle range without ear plugs, they make a huge difference.
I agree with Rich...they may not make you immune to hearing loss, but they reduce the risk...
You do what you want...I'm wearing them, it makes riding better for me... :cheers:
Later.
Quote from: JB848 on November 16, 2010, 05:20:50 PM
Well I do and if I have to chose between AC/DC or my Grandchild the first time she/he says Grandpa, I choose the latter.
(http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200708/r165028_610918.jpg)
Quote from: Firstoni on November 16, 2010, 09:45:17 AM
I believe the most recent studies actually point to the most damage to your hearing being done by the helmet itself transferring of the sound directly threw your bones to your inner ear (making ear plugs, ear buds etc entirely useless)
http://www.motorcycleinsurance.org/motorcycle-helmets-may-cause-hearing-loss/ (http://www.motorcycleinsurance.org/motorcycle-helmets-may-cause-hearing-loss/)
And no I don't turn up the headphones to drown out the air noise over my helmet, at highway speed I am unable to hear it, but since 90% of my hour commute to work is 35 mph or less, I like to have a little music to keep myself from falling asleep while waiting for traffic to get outa my way =P (kidding about the falling asleep part, its mostly for live traffic reports so if I need to take a different route I can but the music is nice too) Also my headphones have a built in noise sensor that will raise and lower the volume a little bit depending on the ambient noise around me.
The headphones are not doing any more damage to my ears as just wearing the helmet in the first place, and considering I am wearing a modular helmet THAT'S probably doing more damage to my hearing then anything (thus why I am saving up for an x-twelve ....)
Also most hearing damage is caused by regular constant noise (such as the wind noise at 60 mph for 2 hours at a time) anything that causes variations in that actually helps save your hearing, its interesting what you learn when you work for an agency like NASA ....
i'm with you on the part about continuous noise being detrimental to hearing: every single machinist i know says "HUH ?" immediately upon being spoken to. low, constant din of machines clanging along... some drone, some whine, but they all make noise.
i've noticed some ringing myself, and started wearing earplugs, or noise canceling headphones. i have fewer headaches, fewer BACKaches, and fewer exhausting days. same job, same pay.
i'm not what most folks would consider nasa-grade brain power, but i catch on fairly well to blatant mistakes made by other humans close by:
cover up your noggin and you won't likely die in a crash. cover your ears, and the canon fire doesn't make your head ache.
cover up your eyes, and you can't see the truth. <--- just a friendly ribbin
Bunch of wise acres...I saw your post tt_four! I actually saw them live in 1986 ARCO Arena Sacramento, CA. It was cool I was young and had fun.
I think you guys missed the point I was trying to convey to you. After my Father got old in his golden years he couldn't hear me on the phone most of the time so there was no point in talking to him most of the time on the phone. I cherished that man more then he knew. But I was relegated to "What", "Pardon", and never could really talk to him unless I was in person which was rare since I was 18 and joined the ARMY.
I don't care what you think, your hearing is as if not more important then your eyesight, and I think people take it for granted it will always be there?
So I wear ear plugs all the time. Do I look silly? Maybe, but so what. I will hear the things I want to hear when it comes time to hear it. LMAO, I have all ready heard AC/DC very loud once that was enough smart ARSE!
My doctor recommends that I wear ear plugs when riding. But, in the state of Florida it is illegal as well as riding with stereo earphones. I got some cheap helmet speakers for like $10 and they are amazing for music. I don't listen to it very loud I mainly only hear it when at lights or on a straightaway with no traffic. When I'm concentrating on the road I never hear the music.
I am a die hard skull candy fan I have two pairs that have lasted about three years now. I heard that on Black Firday Radio shack will have skull candy on sell for $5!
Mary
hmm... my sister wants some ear phones for christmas, I'm about to head to target to pick her up a pair. Maybe I'll grab a pair for myself as well to try them out. Again yesterday I rode somewhere that I could've really benefited from being able to hear my gps on my phone while I was riding, but luckily the old directions electrical taped to the gas tank trick worked ok.
tt_four, the nice thing about my velcro in set is they are bluetooth also if you wanted to use it (i don't, I just use it for the built in FM radio and no wires into my jacket design)
http://www.2wheeltoyz.com/Scala-Rider-Cellular-Helmet-Headset-With-FM-Radio-p/scala002.htm (http://www.2wheeltoyz.com/Scala-Rider-Cellular-Helmet-Headset-With-FM-Radio-p/scala002.htm)
I hate having that mic there since I will never use it but I like the other features
Whaaaat ... did you say hair plugs. OK I think its a little personal, but I have hair plugs. I like em. But I think they interefere with my hearing. All the hair comming out of my ear looks really cool but I cant hear nothing.
Cool.
Buddha.
Before I went out I remembered my wife had a pair of those skull candy ear buds. I tried them out but couldn't even get them to stay in my ears. I couldn't figure it out. I've never had luck with ear buds staying in my ears though, I think my ears must be shaped weird. I ended up not getting myself a pair. May try to find a small pair of speakers I can put in my helmet. Even with the cord it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. I think my arai even has little pockets for speakers.
I also tried to use ear plugs when i went out for my ride, and have to say I really hate them. I stood next to my bike with my fingers in my ears for 5 minutes waiting for the plugs to expand, and when I tried to put my helmet on they just pulled them out anyway. I could only get them to stay in one ear at a time, and it takes so long for them to expand I could only try it twice. Same thing with my ride home. I may have to try some of those shaped ones that people sent links for earlier. I can get them to stay if I put on a bandana or something like that so the helmet isn't actually rubbing on my ears, which I may try, but that's still more hassle than I'm really looking for.
Why can't they just make a helmet that's quiet?? My car is bigger than my helmet and it doesn't make roaring noises everywhere I go.
Removed
Maybe my ear canals are short? I rolled them up as small as they'd go, pushed them in all the way, and held them there. The ends still stick out just enough for the helmet to rub them it's sliding on and pulls them out. Who knows. :dunno_black:
If you are having problems getting them to stay in, try the racers secret weapon....a piece of duct tape to cover the ear...racers use them to hold the ear plugs in when putting on their helmet...it will also help to hold in ear buds, if you choose that direction...
As for the car not being noisy...try just openning all the windows about two inches...it's the sound of the air passing by the open parts of the helmet that make it so noisy...the more foam around the bottom of the helmet, or anything for that matter, that will direct the air away from the openning will make it quieter...
Later.
Quote from: madjak30 on November 23, 2010, 09:23:08 PM
a piece of duct tape to cover the ear...racers use them to hold the ear plugs in when putting on their helmet...
the more foam around the bottom of the helmet, or anything for that matter, that will direct the air away from the openning will make it quieter...
I can't tell if you're being serious about the duct tape or not. Regardless, I think that's a little bit out of my desperation level.
I know what you mean about the foam at the bottom. From experimenting in my time on the highway, I know that I can put a hand on the bottom of my helmet to cover the gap between the padding and my neck and it gets a bit quieter, but I also get some noise from the 'dead space' behind my helmet as well. I can tuck down to get the bottom of my helmet out of the wind, but that just runs the air over my helmet even harder and makes that noise even worse.
You guys must have some pretty damn noisy helmets? I have owned a Shoei and now a Shark and have never had issues with bad wind noise to the point I need to wear ear plugs.
Quote from: Twisted on November 28, 2010, 01:36:47 AM
You guys must have some pretty damn noisy helmets? I have owned a Shoei and now a Shark and have never had issues with bad wind noise to the point I need to wear ear plugs.
No some people just care about there hearing and realise any noise for a long time is going to do damage. Well thats my take on it. I have more wind noise on my GS then my old GN but the GN had none (due to a custom screen) and riding the KTM is just all noise. Strangely the wind noise is less on my mates Harley than the GS but then the bike is stupidly loud. So as a rule if I'm on it for more than 10 mins, put plugs in, preserve what hearing I have.
Quote from: tt_four on November 24, 2010, 05:51:03 AM
Quote from: madjak30 on November 23, 2010, 09:23:08 PM
a piece of duct tape to cover the ear...racers use them to hold the ear plugs in when putting on their helmet...
the more foam around the bottom of the helmet, or anything for that matter, that will direct the air away from the openning will make it quieter...
I can't tell if you're being serious about the duct tape or not. Regardless, I think that's a little bit out of my desperation level.
I know what you mean about the foam at the bottom. From experimenting in my time on the highway, I know that I can put a hand on the bottom of my helmet to cover the gap between the padding and my neck and it gets a bit quieter, but I also get some noise from the 'dead space' behind my helmet as well. I can tuck down to get the bottom of my helmet out of the wind, but that just runs the air over my helmet even harder and makes that noise even worse.
Sounds like you may want to try what was posted by bettingpython a few posts back.
Quote from: bettingpython on November 16, 2010, 08:06:52 AM
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/helmet-noise.htm
Quote from: GI_JO_NATHAN on November 28, 2010, 08:49:10 AM
Quote from: tt_four on November 24, 2010, 05:51:03 AM
Quote from: madjak30 on November 23, 2010, 09:23:08 PM
a piece of duct tape to cover the ear...racers use them to hold the ear plugs in when putting on their helmet...
the more foam around the bottom of the helmet, or anything for that matter, that will direct the air away from the openning will make it quieter...
I can't tell if you're being serious about the duct tape or not. Regardless, I think that's a little bit out of my desperation level.
I know what you mean about the foam at the bottom. From experimenting in my time on the highway, I know that I can put a hand on the bottom of my helmet to cover the gap between the padding and my neck and it gets a bit quieter, but I also get some noise from the 'dead space' behind my helmet as well. I can tuck down to get the bottom of my helmet out of the wind, but that just runs the air over my helmet even harder and makes that noise even worse.
Sounds like you may want to try what was posted by bettingpython a few posts back.
Quote from: bettingpython on November 16, 2010, 08:06:52 AM
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/helmet-noise.htm
that's pretty good information. seeing the noise peak at less than 40mph was something. in the past i would only put in earplugs for hour or more long rides. think i'll be doing it for trips to get gas now. ;-)
i still have very good hearing for now. so good, that i wouldn't mind a drop or 10 in the amount of stuff i can hear outside. cars, planes, trains (closest is 14 miles away), leaves falling on the ground (from inside the house), all are welcomed distractions. i do have some ringing in my ears, that i attribute to riding quite a bit without protection. it's not terrible, but i would like ot prevent more of it :-)
music is something that changes my mood, improves my day, and brightens my life. i can't imagine not hearing subtleties in the songs i know now, and really want to preserve all those notes forever. i'll keep plugging my ears and enjoying the ride
I used to want one of these just for colder air, but now that I've been annoyed with the noise I think I'm finally gonna try to pick one of these up and see if it helps...
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/windjammer/helmet-wind-blocker.htm
I stayed out of this thread because I have commented on similar threads, but here's my $0.02:
I'm a professional musician and music educator. My hearing is not only important to my emotional wellbeing but also my livelihood. I wear hearing protection when standing in front of loud musical ensembles (Pricey ones from Etymotic Research made by an audiologist with ear molds).
When riding, I wear ear plugs OR my Etymotic Research ER-6i sound isolation headphones. I find that the noise level is decreased so much that musical details are easy to hear even at moderate sound levels. I can still hear other vehicles. my engine, and car horns, etc. My fatigue level is much lower when wearing plugs or phones, and my concentration ability is heightened as a result.
Hey TT the skull candy has different size buds that fit onto the speakers. I have to use the smallest ones and they fit me quite well. I got real lucky and got a pair of the $30 smokin' buds for $12 at Radio Shack might wanna check them out.
I work concerts all the time doing security and they now require us to use hearing protection unfortunately, I think my hearing may still be going being that we have the earpiece from our radios. You have to blare it during the Pit bull concert and if someone keys their radio wrong it is painful. There have been some nights my ear hurt for the rest of the night. I know for a fact though working 6 months at the Pleasure Island night clubs doing security caused a 10% hearing loss in my left ear. I was fortunate that I had better than average hearing to begin with but now the left ear is average. It kinda pissed me off though that Disney does all of the testing for your ears but does not allow security to wear hearing protection because it is not guest appropriate. Like wearing mirrored sunglasses it makes the guest think we are not paying attention they said. But they don't give a fluck if MY hearing is trashed.
JB I agree that people of my generation and after will have a hearing crisis much like our obesity crisis. Better buy stock in belltone! Because in 20 years when I hit 50 most everyone else will be almost deaf. I'm sorry but if I can hear the music coming from your head phones that's too dang loud!
Mary
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on November 30, 2010, 11:46:52 PM
JB I agree that people of my generation and after will have a hearing crisis much like our obesity crisis. Better buy stock in belltone! Because in 20 years when I hit 50 most everyone else will be almost deaf. I'm sorry but if I can hear the music coming from your head phones that's too dang loud!
Mary
It's not just your generation...ever since the "Walkman" came out in the '80s, it's been downhill..."Ghetto Blasters" also didn't help...high school dances with dB's high enough to cause ringing in your ears for the rest of the evening...nobody thought too much of it back then...now my hearing is getting bad...my wife was more of a book worm, so she didn't abuse her ears like I did...music, loud cars, shop noises...all take their toll...your hearing and eyesight fade with age anyway, but mine seem to be going faster than hers (except sight...she can't see without her glasses, I still have 20/20...used to be better sight though)
And as for the obesity problem...my Wii Fit tells me that I am in that club all the time...and I'm not the only one in my age group to have the more "rounded" look...it's just a sign of the times...life is easier than it used to be...we are less active and food isn't as heathy as it used to be...all the fad diets aren't gonna save us...we just need to eat less and move more...simple as that...yet here I sit at the computer...lol
Getting older sucks...so I fight it by riding my bike... :icon_mrgreen: :icon_twisted: wearing earplugs, ofcourse... :thumb:
Later.
I'm worried about moving out of the city someday because right now the most logical/convenient way to get to work in the city, to a building without a parking lot is just to ride my bicycle. It's not much buy 10 minutes each way definitely helpd. sometime if I'm working somewhere else and living in the suburbs I'll be pretty short on exercise. Unforunately I HATE exercise for the sake of exercise. I can bicycle an hour in one direction to get somewhere and an hour back, but I could barely survive a 20 minute 'joy ride' if I was just to ride around in circles. I'd enjoy a job with some physical labor, and the thought of lifting weights just isn't gonna happen. At least I'm lucky enough to be in good shape now, because it's way easier to stay in shape than it is to get back into shape.
Question for the people who know more about this stuff than I do....
The noise canceling earphones, I get the general idea about how they work by making the exact opposite noise that's going on around you, it effectively cancels it out. Does this strictly cut back on the noise, or will this actually protect your hearing? Is it possible that the noise you can no longer hear would still damage your ear drum, or does it actually protect your hearing as well as quiet things down?
I wouldn't mind getting a pair some day, but I wasn't sure if the only benefit of the noise canceling feature is to be able to hear your music coming through the ear phones, or if it actually serves some of the function that your ear plugs would.
Just started wearing earplugs and now never ride without them, amazed what a difference they make in increasing ride enjoyment
I tried earplugs to see what all the fuss was about. I was not impressed. Seems the engine noise is louder with them in. As for wind noise it was hard to tell if they made a difference. Sounded abou the same to me.
Quote from: Twisted on May 26, 2011, 09:56:57 PM
I tried earplugs to see what all the fuss was about. I was not impressed. Seems the engine noise is louder with them in. As for wind noise it was hard to tell if they made a difference. Sounded abou the same to me.
What earplugs did you use? Just the regular foam ones you roll between your fingers and shove down your earhole,?
i wore a tight fitting helmet. worked good for noise suppression. the tortoise shell helmet i used plugs on occasion. or a balaclava if i was riding in january
Quote from: Twisted on May 26, 2011, 09:56:57 PM
I tried earplugs to see what all the fuss was about. I was not impressed. Seems the engine noise is louder with them in. As for wind noise it was hard to tell if they made a difference. Sounded abou the same to me.
It's hard to tell a difference right when you're using them. I can tell after about 15 minutes because my bike is so loud and if I don't have them in I can feel my left ear starting to feel weird. You can also tell after a good 3-4 hour ride when your head doesn't hurt as much. It's not something you'll always notice as soon as you put them in.
I was out the other day and had forgotten my ear plugs. I was in sears and happened to walk past some ear plugs on the shelf. They were only $3 and came with a little case so I figured I'd grab them for the ride home. They were this kind....
(http://www.faqs.org/photo-dict/photofiles/list/4188/5595ear_plugs.jpg)
I just pulled the cord out, and later when I got home I cut the outside stubs shorter but I was decently surprised at how much better they felt than both the foam ones and the molded ones I have. Bonus is that they're much easier to put in than any other kind, I'll probably stick with this kind for now.
ive used those. ive left the cord on though. so i could hang them around my neck like if i was inside a store. or anywhere off teh bike
Yeah, I use those too! Seem the best for me. But, I'm still stuck with the conundrum protect my hearing or break the law?
BTW in my vert the wind noise can get pretty nasty too. Another thing that has helped me with the noise is the chin skirt not only that when I would go over a certain bridge the crosswind would catch my helmet and jerk it and my neck so hard it hurt.
Why is this O&E now I think it is directly related to bikes.
Mary
Quote from: pave_spectre on May 26, 2011, 10:15:47 PM
Quote from: Twisted on May 26, 2011, 09:56:57 PM
I tried earplugs to see what all the fuss was about. I was not impressed. Seems the engine noise is louder with them in. As for wind noise it was hard to tell if they made a difference. Sounded abou the same to me.
What earplugs did you use? Just the regular foam ones you roll between your fingers and shove down your earhole,?
Yeh the ones the bike shop sell.
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on May 27, 2011, 09:36:55 AM
Yeah, I use those too! Seem the best for me. But, I'm still stuck with the conundrum protect my hearing or break the law?
BTW in my vert the wind noise can get pretty nasty too. Another thing that has helped me with the noise is the chin skirt not only that when I would go over a certain bridge the crosswind would catch my helmet and jerk it and my neck so hard it hurt.
Why is this O&E now I think it is directly related to bikes.
Mary
since it didnt make too many refereences to biks or our beloved gs500 s lol
I tried the corded ones. Didn't work so well for me. Compacted ear wax had to be removed with stuff from the pharmacy. I just use the foam roll ups. I figured out they don't have to be fully expanded before you let your finger off. They go in a lot faster now. :cheers:
The worst part of the foam ones was how long they took to expand. I hated standing there with my fingers in my ears, and it's very impractical when you're out with other people who just slide on their helmets and are ready to go.
After all the riding I did this weekend my head was killing me. Even with ear plugs in the noise/shaking just got to me. I started dreaming about how nice it would've been to have a buttery smooth I4 with a stock exhaust.
There are wax-like plugs you literally just press over your ear canal. I can't remember the brand right now but I shoot with them. They block out all the harsh noise and just take the shape of whatever your ear is so they don't cause pain like the foam ones do over time. I think I have a small ear canal because the foam ones (even the good ones) tend to hurt after more than an hour or two pretty bad. I can't stand them so I went to the wax ones and I double up with some Walker's amplifying headphones. It gives a 5x amplification for talking and noises but when a gunshot goes off or anything extra loud, it cuts all sound and is a 24NRR reduction muff.