I've never been able to wear earplugs of any kind and have them stay in when I am putting my helmet on, or off. I probably should have persevered because after 40 years of riding, and 24 years in the Army I have severe hearing loss. I get by OK, and wear hearing aids most of the time, but I wish I had been more careful when younger.
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Questioning wearing Ear Plugs while riding
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BajaRon
Well-known member
I really like wearing earplugs. It's been proven that with the correct product, you can actually hear better with them in than you can with them out. Because they will attenuate sounds like the wind and droning road noise so that you can hear sounds that are more important. Everything is quieter, of course. But this allows your brain to function at a more alert level.
At speed, you could be riding an electric bike and the wind noise alone will exceed what you should be subjecting your hearing to. On a longer trip, this adds to fatigue and mental dullness.
So, earplugs also reduce fatigue and allow you to stay more alert.
Everyone's ears are different. So, like a pair of shoes. What I like may not work for you. I've tried several types and am currently using these. They are not perfect so I'm not necessarily recommending them. But I like them better than the squeeze, twist and shove in style. They are quick and easy to insert and remove. I thought the stem might interfere with the helmet. But I've found this is not a problem for me. They are 28db which is more than I would like. But after everything settles down, I can hear what I need to hear more clearly.
I know people think they can hear better without earplugs. And maybe stopped or going slow this may be true. Also, I do not have serious hearing loss, and that may be another factor. But all the clinical testing I've read says that you can hear better with earplugs. And this advantage improves a good amount as your time in the saddle increases. Without earplugs, the longer you ride, the more tired and less alert you become. While at the same time your hearing is steadily being reduced. You may not notice the gradual change. But it is a universal effect. Add to this the long term hearing loss you get from riding without hearing protection, and I think it's worth some effort to find plugs that work for you.
Here is just one good article regarding this subject.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/avoiding-hearing-loss
I am not a nervous Nelly. I don't just get something because someone says it's safer. But when I find that it is true. I have learned that it's in my best interest to at least consider it.
I used to think that Real Men didn't wear protection like Helmets, Boots or Earplugs. But I got over it. I'm glad I did because many men my age can't hear very well at all. I'd be able to hear better if I'd have started sooner.
E-A-R Push-Ins 318-1000
At speed, you could be riding an electric bike and the wind noise alone will exceed what you should be subjecting your hearing to. On a longer trip, this adds to fatigue and mental dullness.
So, earplugs also reduce fatigue and allow you to stay more alert.
Everyone's ears are different. So, like a pair of shoes. What I like may not work for you. I've tried several types and am currently using these. They are not perfect so I'm not necessarily recommending them. But I like them better than the squeeze, twist and shove in style. They are quick and easy to insert and remove. I thought the stem might interfere with the helmet. But I've found this is not a problem for me. They are 28db which is more than I would like. But after everything settles down, I can hear what I need to hear more clearly.
I know people think they can hear better without earplugs. And maybe stopped or going slow this may be true. Also, I do not have serious hearing loss, and that may be another factor. But all the clinical testing I've read says that you can hear better with earplugs. And this advantage improves a good amount as your time in the saddle increases. Without earplugs, the longer you ride, the more tired and less alert you become. While at the same time your hearing is steadily being reduced. You may not notice the gradual change. But it is a universal effect. Add to this the long term hearing loss you get from riding without hearing protection, and I think it's worth some effort to find plugs that work for you.
Here is just one good article regarding this subject.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/avoiding-hearing-loss
I am not a nervous Nelly. I don't just get something because someone says it's safer. But when I find that it is true. I have learned that it's in my best interest to at least consider it.
I used to think that Real Men didn't wear protection like Helmets, Boots or Earplugs. But I got over it. I'm glad I did because many men my age can't hear very well at all. I'd be able to hear better if I'd have started sooner.
E-A-R Push-Ins 318-1000
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Sarge707
Active member
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082D8VGMQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
I use these sleeping ones because being half the driver size they go farther in my ear and block most of the wind and engine and I hear my music just at medium -loud. I'm watching my rear more than my front. I will see an emergency vehicle before I hear it.
I use these sleeping ones because being half the driver size they go farther in my ear and block most of the wind and engine and I hear my music just at medium -loud. I'm watching my rear more than my front. I will see an emergency vehicle before I hear it.
Dutchy
Active member
One thing I forgot to mention, hearing is only a Once in a Life-time thing. Yes, hearing aids help, but go into a noisy environment, shops, or a restaurant while wearing them & you hear everything; with natural hearing you are able to turn off to the external noises, with hearing aids in you can't - you just hear noise! I will vote yes for ear protection; one protect what you have or in my case what you have left, I can sit here and wish I wore hearing protection earlier for riding, but being in Infantry when I started, all we had was a cotton wool like stuff for our ears, not like the noise cancelling stuff you have today; but then you cannot wear it in other environments which destroy more hearing than a quick blat around on a bike.
So, protect what you have or have not lost as they cannot repair Tinnitus or induced hearing loss - Yet! So live life as much as you can, and Ryde as much as you can, and protect what you have! Hearing protection, yes.
That's my 20 cents worth, take it or leave it.
PS: when my Wife can't hear me, she turns the volume up to a deafening roar and I still say "What did you say? It's too noisy!" and then even the dog runs out... (sick OZZIE humour)
So, protect what you have or have not lost as they cannot repair Tinnitus or induced hearing loss - Yet! So live life as much as you can, and Ryde as much as you can, and protect what you have! Hearing protection, yes.
That's my 20 cents worth, take it or leave it.
PS: when my Wife can't hear me, she turns the volume up to a deafening roar and I still say "What did you say? It's too noisy!" and then even the dog runs out... (sick OZZIE humour)
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RayBJ
Well-known member
I raced 2 cycle karts for 15 years in the 70-80s without earplugs. Now I need hearing aids to raise the mid frequencies (voice range) when I bother to wear them.
When I returned to riding in 2008 I rode a while without plugs and the intercom was nearly impossible to decipher. I switched to earpeace musician plugs and they do an excellent job of reducing wind & road noise but allow the voice range thru so I hear better at speed.
I am more observant than average and I use my vision, mirrors, (and revolving head) to assess the surroundings regardless of transport.
Now if only I could find earplugs that cancel LOUD PIPES! :yikes:
When I returned to riding in 2008 I rode a while without plugs and the intercom was nearly impossible to decipher. I switched to earpeace musician plugs and they do an excellent job of reducing wind & road noise but allow the voice range thru so I hear better at speed.
I am more observant than average and I use my vision, mirrors, (and revolving head) to assess the surroundings regardless of transport.
Now if only I could find earplugs that cancel LOUD PIPES! :yikes:
IGETAROUND
Active member
I am very much in favor of using hearing protection for all the reasons listed in Ron's posting. He said it much better than I can; here is what I use to give me a 34db noise reduction:
https://mightyplugs.com/
These are the most comfortable ear plugs I have ever used, inexpensive and when they get older and dirty you throw them out and get a new pair. I cut the round shape in half, more than enough to make a set.
Al in Kazoo
https://mightyplugs.com/
These are the most comfortable ear plugs I have ever used, inexpensive and when they get older and dirty you throw them out and get a new pair. I cut the round shape in half, more than enough to make a set.
Al in Kazoo
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wmjweber45
New member
I can attest to that. I rode for years without them. After about 25 years I found my hearing down about 50 percent. I now always wear them to save what hearing I have left. Most earplugs will let enough sound through for situational awareness. I found these to be the best for me.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GVTDQW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Expensive, but worth it. IMHO
Pooch
Member
I used hearing protection for all my riding years on 2 wheels.. since 1978.
However, it turns out that my poor hearing status now probably stems from inheritance from my mother and her father .. my grandfather. My 2 siblings did not ride motorcycles but also apparently inherited the hearing problem.
Being on 3 wheels since 2012 I have not worn any hearing protection.. I'm already "there"...
However, I do take off my hearing aids while riding - its just too darned loud otherwise...
However, it turns out that my poor hearing status now probably stems from inheritance from my mother and her father .. my grandfather. My 2 siblings did not ride motorcycles but also apparently inherited the hearing problem.
Being on 3 wheels since 2012 I have not worn any hearing protection.. I'm already "there"...
However, I do take off my hearing aids while riding - its just too darned loud otherwise...
IdahoMtnSpyder
Active member
There is also an aging brain issue involved. A discussion I heard a few years ago discussed the fact that as we get older our brains lose the capacity to filter sounds. In younger years it can filter out the noise and concentrate on the sound of interest. In later years it is less capable of doing do so, so background noise mixes with the sound of interest making is harder to hear what we want to hear.
IMS, 'I HEAR YA on that old age factor', think that might be part of my hearing disability, but on the other hand it may of be that I operated a rock crusher for approximately 30 years without proper ear protection! :thumbup: Bill
I posted the comment open ended to test my motives for wearing them, so as the OP I'll include these comments now:
I too already suffer hearing loss from 20 years working in Power Stations, and have Tinnitus.
While getting the bike serviced I decided buy the Pinlocks and give them a try for the ride home (160-350 km depending on which way I go). The reduction in fatigue was amazing and had me hooked.
Like other Husbands my level of hearing loss would depend on who you ask - Audiologist 40%, Wife/kids 80%-90% sometimes 100%
The commentary is excellent both for and against. I think like some have pointed out,
I can't criticise anyone that choses to or not to wear hearing protection. I am going to purchase some of the alternatives to industrial plugs that are suggested here. Given how quickly I lose them it wont take long to try different brands ... wonder could I store them in another body cavity when not in use
I too already suffer hearing loss from 20 years working in Power Stations, and have Tinnitus.
While getting the bike serviced I decided buy the Pinlocks and give them a try for the ride home (160-350 km depending on which way I go). The reduction in fatigue was amazing and had me hooked.
Like other Husbands my level of hearing loss would depend on who you ask - Audiologist 40%, Wife/kids 80%-90% sometimes 100%
The commentary is excellent both for and against. I think like some have pointed out,
- Hearing is precious and I need to protect it.
- The reduction in fatigue is measurable - I enjoy long distance runs the most.
- I need to find a balance between protection and hearing my surrounds to be aware of what's going on around me. - as an ex firefighter I've had to deal with drivers oblivious to their surrounds not seeing the Big Red Truck + Sirens + Flashing Red & Blue Lights:banghead: right Behind/In Front Of, To the Right/Left of them.
I can't criticise anyone that choses to or not to wear hearing protection. I am going to purchase some of the alternatives to industrial plugs that are suggested here. Given how quickly I lose them it wont take long to try different brands ... wonder could I store them in another body cavity when not in use
Gwolf
Well-known member
I used to wear ear plugs on the bikes when I wore the shorty helmets with safety glasses. I never wear them when I wear a full face helmet or a 3/4 helmet with a wrap shield on it. The ear plugs were mostly for the wind noise. Most all the bikes I have owned had glass pack mufflers which are not as loud and obnoxious as straight pipes. Already had some hearing loss from when I was younger and flew aircrew on C-130-E models. Wore earplugs and had headset intercom with padded ear muffs. Four of them 4,500 HP turboprops are loud, no matter what you wear over your ears. Even after Florida made helmets optional for adults, I kept on wearing them. Probably wouldn't be around to wear a helmet if I had not had one on when the car hit me in 1981. The noise from the pipes is not excessive at cruising speed. It is the wind noise that is annoying, and the helmet with face shield cuts down on that.
JonShadow
New member
I use Plugfones when I ride. The filter I use reduces noise by about 30dB. I can still hear traffic, horns, screeching tires, the engine of the bike, etc. I use them with my Cardo. If I listen to music, which I often like to do, I keep the volume minimal so I can still hear around me. I also wear a full face helmet and I can still hear enough of my surroundings. I would much rather protect my ears after years of playing in a band, going to concerts, and going to loud sports events. I've already lost a tiny bit of hearing and I don't want to lose more. My wife and I wear Earpeace plugs at concerts. They're great.
BigPoppa
Member
Given how quickly I lose them it wont take long to try different brands ... wonder could I store them in another body cavity when not in use
I don't know about other brands but Earpeace plugs come in a keychain case so you would be less likely to lose them (I have lost a few over the years when taking them out, dropping them, and then being unable to find them unless it was in my garage). I use a slightly larger cylinder keychain for my afternoon meds and I have an extra compartment that I keep my daily Earpeace set in.
Again, it doesn't prevent loss but it does reduce the instances of me misplacing them.
Hound
Member
After 25 years as firearms instructor, farming, heavy equipment mechanic, my ears are pretty bad. A lot of folks don't understand that losing your hearing can also make your ears more sensitive to some sounds , like wind noise. I wear plugs under my helmet.
Etymotic Research ER20XS Motorsport High-Definition Earplugs (Noise Reduction Designed To Fit Under Helmets) -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010C8HZSY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Etymotic Research ER20XS Motorsport High-Definition Earplugs (Noise Reduction Designed To Fit Under Helmets) -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010C8HZSY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Isopedella
Well-known member
You don't get a 2nd chance to protect your hearing.
Noise Reduction Rating 18 dB if fitted correctly class 3 NRR 24dB
Noise Reduction Rating 18 dB if fitted correctly class 3 NRR 24dB
I bought Loop Experience Plus plugs and wore them last week but while they're quiet and killed the wind noise (but can still hear traffic) there was a vibration sound that was almost worse (on a Harley Softail). I'll try them again, but might be going with something different like the ones mentioned here.
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