[Lacessit]

I'm finding a LOT of stuff on the web talking about wearing hearing protection. Either ear plugs of some sort, or noise cancelling ear buds. Many talk about the possible hearing loss from the amount of wind noise which seems logical to me as it is quite loud...

...but is no one worried about drowning out important audio inputs from around you? I don't want to start any wars, just looking for some input.

Personally, I'd consider a form of noise reduction if I were certain it wouldn't block out too much.

How about you?

 

[Guest]

I wear cheapie foam earplugs, they are great for blocking out engine/road/wind noise, but I can still hear conversations at light, and presumably sirens.

 

[MrSciTrek]

My daughter got me some foam ear-plugs for my Christmas stocking.
So I'll try them next time the Omaha weather allows for some riding. : ]

 

[Administrator]

I just about always do when riding for the fun of it... but have to admit I don't do very well when commuting. I have enough on my mind at 7:00 am with getting showered, dressed, geared up and out the door that the plugs never seem to make it in.

No doubt, though, wear them if you can. Wind noise might not seem that loud, but it sure it constant, and exerts a great deal of pressure on your poor ear drums.

 

[knightslugger]

i'm kinda deaf as it is already... ear buds for my iPod are as about as close as i get and really, i'm just producing more noise.

 

[Guest]

I wear el-cheapo 2 dollar ear plugs, the yellow type which are on a blue string. They allow me to hear my motor and other cars, but they cut out probably 75 per cent of wind noise, which is what kills my hearing.

I've found the harder type on a string better than the foam, as they stay in better when pulling the helmet on.

 

[longhaul747]

I always wear hear plugs regardless of how quiet the helmet is. I find that I can concentrate a lot more on riding and its a lot less tiring without the constant buzz of wind noise. Even the quietest of helmets introduce a fair amount of wind noise at highway speeds.

I use the Max disposable ear plugs from Howard Leight. They are rated for 33db and the are very comfortable. I never had a comfort issue with them even when riding every day and all day during the Summer. I bought a case of 200 last year for $27 online and still have 3/4's of the box left. They are semi-reusable but not more then 3 or 4 times. After that they don't form a seal as well.

http://www.howardleight.com/products/products2.asp?id=4#

Try riding with ear plugs for a while. At first you will not like it but then after a while you will not want to ride without them. I used to never ride with ear protection and my hearing has suffered from it.

 

[render]

Yeah, I wear them all the time as well. I've noticed that I enjoy the ride much more with them in. You can still hear everything that you need. I wear some foam remmington ear plugs I found at a sporting goods store. With everyone's ears slightly different try out several different ones and you will eventually find some very comfortable every effective plugs that you will enjoy wearing.

 

[2dogs]

Hey Royson

Did you buy those "earplugs" at Lovecraft?

2dogs

Hearing protction is a must. The lesson is driven home as you age.

 

[Guest]

Nah, those aren't the exact ones i use

I'm already hard of hearing, or at least selective, so I never ride without them, even in town.

 

[ninjamon]

When I first started riding(about a 1 1/2 years ago) I did not wear them at first. Then, I started reading about how important they are. I tried them, and like others here have said...I found that my ride is much more relaxing wearing them than not. I use the foam disposables, but use them 3-4 times. Cost is not an issue, as you're down to ~5 cents per ride when you use them 3-4 times.

 

[AntiAndy]

ipod headphone in my right ear.

 

[MrSciTrek]

Hearing protection is a must. The lesson is driven home as you age.

What?

(50+ year old rider) :

 

[2dogs]

Hearing protection is a must. The lesson is driven home as you age.

What?

(50+ year old rider) :

Can't hear ya. Speak up.

 

[Red-Leg]

I don't wear plugs on my daily commute or most other around town riding but if I'm going to be on the freeway for more than 45min or so, I'm plugged.

 

[hollywood]

Love the sound of my pipes couldn't bear to lessen that pleasure.

 

[Guest]

I had to get used to the sound of riding with them in, now I use them almost all the time. Only time I don't is if I'm already going after I forgot; if I catch myself before starting off I'll take my lid off and put them in. Almost totally removes helmet related wind noise, in use you can hear how loud your helmet actually is. Wearing earplugs makes my CL-15 a great helmet. I used to shoot competitively thus I am used to using hearing protection in stressful situations. Some guys shoot with foam plugs and muffs, voice commands are easily heard and understood once you learn to listen. If you learn to listen for traffic you'll notice that over your protection too.

 

[MrSciTrek]

Foam earplugs- 50 pair, $10.
Too bad Walgreens' are so hard to find. (joke)
www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=100217&navAction=jump&navCount=1&id=prod2389106#

 

[Guest]

I used too, but now my new RF-1000 is quiet enough that I don't worry too much about it.

 

[Guest]

I didn't think it would be as nice as it is, definitely worth the cost!