Do you use Ear Plugs ?

[ThreeWheels]

Am I the only one? I've been wearing them for years. It's counter-intuitive, but it actually makes the headset speakers and the intercom system seem better by blocking out all the extraneous nose. I can still hear car horns and trucks.
Today, I stopped a mile or so from my home to go get something in a store.
Came back out, I only had a few minutes to ride, so I didn't put my earplugs in, thinking it wasn't worth the trouble.
WOW is this thing loud !
Lots of engine noise, and LOTS of wind noise.
No wonder I get such bad gas mileage.

So, does anyone else use earplugs when they ride?

 

[SpyderWolf]

I use the Motorsports edition of EarFuze headphones, which effectively block quite a bit of road noise as well. I usually have my MP3 player running at the time as well though.

My Spyder sounded more like a giant sewing machine and wasn't loud at all, before I switched to the Hindle.

 

[BajaRon]

Am I the only one? I've been wearing them for years. It's counter-intuitive, but it actually makes the headset speakers and the intercom system seem better by blocking out all the extraneous nose. I can still hear car horns and trucks.
Today, I stopped a mile or so from my home to go get something in a store.
Came back out, I only had a few minutes to ride, so I didn't put my earplugs in, thinking it wasn't worth the trouble.
WOW is this thing loud !
Lots of engine noise, and LOTS of wind noise.
No wonder I get such bad gas mileage.

So, does anyone else use earplugs when they ride?

I do. It makes the ride so much better. I can hear when I stop (after I take the EP's out). I know it is less tiring for long rides. And you're right, you can actually hear the important things better at speed.

There is no doubt that long rides at speed without hearing protection will do permanante damage. My dad can't hear and I've never wanted that to happen to me. I'm wearing glasses but hearing aids do not appeal!

On short rides I sometimes do not wear my EP's, especially if I'm not going to be doing freeway speeds. It is amazing the sounds that my Spyder makes. I think it is the belt drive that makes the sounds that I have not been able to identify.

 

[YPILOT]

I use cotton most of the time, just because of the wind noise. I've been wearing ear plugs at work everyday for the last 4 months and my ears really like the effort. I may have to check out EarFuze.

 

[Brevet05]

I also ride with the Earfuzes, although mine are plugged into my GPS. They are really great, as I was having real trouble with ringing ears after a couple of hours on the highway, even with a full face helmet. Problem solved; great value! I rode 1200 miles around East Texas this week for work, and never had any problem with hearing, the routine wind noises were effectively blocked, the other noises I could hear fine, unless I was rocking tunes, but the great thing is they eliminate the need for high volumes on the music.

 

[Firefly]

Interesting product. I'm very tempted to try these--- but question how good the sound quality could be for $45. I'm pretty picky about sound quality and generally can't fund buds that sound good for under $100.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Interesting product. I'm very tempted to try these--- but question how good the sound quality could be for $45. I'm pretty picky about sound quality and generally can't fund buds that sound good for under $100.

I have no problem hearing the music I am trying to play from my inexpensive Sony MP3 player. I can hear the highs and the lows as well. Of course, I would not expect it to be anywhere near audiophile quality for that price either, but they work well for me.

I think Lamont posted somewhere about the Skull Candy :dontknow: ones and said they are very good as well.

 

[NancysToy]

I wear them. Currently wearing Big Ear custom made plugs. About $60 if you can catch a vendor at a show or bike shop open house somewhere. Worth every penny to me, as I have lots of problems with most standard plugs.

 

[Firefly]

I wonder if you could just use their 'goop' part of the kit with a different earbud brand?

 

[CVRyder]

Ear plugs? Wouldn't ride without them. They took a little getting used to at first but now they are an absolute requirement for riding.

 

[Brevet05]

I wonder if you could just use their 'goop' part of the kit with a different earbud brand?

I was just about to suggest this from reading your earlier post. I have Skullcandy earbuds, a pair of the Bose In-ear earbuds, and ones from Sony, etc. My problem has always been keeping them in the ear so that the sound, at whatever premium, was where I needed it. Except for the Bose design, which has a grille on the external surface, I'd guess that most earbuds would work with the flexible material supplied by the Earfuze folks. That said, theirs are pretty good.

 

[RShrimp]

I bought some of the ear goo from wally world a few years back. They were called "ear plugs that fit" Same putty concept as earfuse but no audio. $10 I think.
I molded them per the instructions and then cut them out to fit a set of quality earbuds. I used a bit of RTV to seal the buds in to them.
They work great! They fit! they dont fall out! and sound is awesome.
Total cost. The ear buds plus $10
They are not pretty!(but they are under the helmet)
If I had it to do over I would try the earfuse.
I have also seen some at te the shows that claim to be high end audio in a fitted plug but they cost $300 up. That is way beyond my budget.

 

[YPILOT]

Just ordered EarFuze for helmet use $35.00. Thanks for the heads up.

I use the Motorsports edition of EarFuze headphones, which effectively block quite a bit of road noise as well. I usually have my MP3 player running at the time as well though.

My Spyder sounded more like a giant sewing machine and wasn't loud at all, before I switched to the Hindle.

 

[GaryTheBadger]

I always use earplugs, HEAROS brand works best for me, and no problems hearing my wife talking to me on the Cardo Scala Q2 radio helmet speakers.

I have severe chronic Tinnitis and ryding without earplugs just makes it worse. All the years I rode without earplugs could have contributed to the condition. You don't want Tinnitis...its like a continuous low-grade form of torture. Its sucks and there's no cure.

 

[BajaRon]

I have severe chronic Tinnitis and ryding without earplugs just makes it worse. All the years I rode without earplugs could have contributed to the condition. You don't want Tinnitis...its like a continuous low-grade form of torture. Its sucks and there's no cure.

I hear you there (no pun intended). Lamont has this and it doesn't sound good (again, no pun intended).

And I would say riding without plugs has contributed. I don't know what the average DB's are while riding but I'd say it's got to be around 100 or better. A few hours of that an you're not doing your ears any favors.

 

[dltang]

This is what I have as recommended by CaptainRyder. Here is a quote from one of his posts: "Westone UM-1 earbuds, they have noise dampening about 25 decibles and stereo sound. The wire is braided (hopeully this is stronger than other set-ups) and wraps over your ear. Fits well inside a HJC helmet."

Here is the thread http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8973&highlight=earplugs

 

[Sarge707]

I bought the skull candy Lamont suggested and they fit me well for 2-3 hours of riding and block most wind noise while my MP3 plays Classic Vinyl.
I do have Torx X2 Speakers in 1 helmet but their only good for around town and short trips at 25-40 mph!
I,m learning helmets "Are Like woman with shoes?:roflblack:" You can never have TOOO many!:yikes:

 

[SethO]

skull candy ear buds are the best bang for the buck, they are as good as earplugs and without the music on they work great for that, and on sale thy are $9, the loudest earbuds I have ever had, plus they lasted a year on my jacket (rain and other seth wear) can say enough about them.

Plus they come in several colors in you are in to that.

 

[Lamonster]

:agree:
I've spent hundreds of dollars on all sorts of in ear headsets and Skullcandy is by far the best bang for the buck. I have 6 backup sets that I've never had to use. I've yet to have a set go bad on me and even if I did I only paid like 10 bucks for my backups. I just gave my sister a spare set I had with me. They filter out the wind noise if you don't want to listen to tunes. :doorag:
http://www.amazon.com/Skullcandy-S2...8?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270320018&sr=8-8

 

[Lamonster]

I always use earplugs, HEAROS brand works best for me, and no problems hearing my wife talking to me on the Cardo Scala Q2 radio helmet speakers.

I have severe chronic Tinnitis and ryding without earplugs just makes it worse. All the years I rode without earplugs could have contributed to the condition. You don't want Tinnitis...its like a continuous low-grade form of torture. Its sucks and there's no cure.

I have the same thing. It's so loud I feel like others should be able to hear my ears ringing. nojoke