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Message started by Arizuno on 08/27/11 at 17:23:20

Title: Ear Plugs
Post by Arizuno on 08/27/11 at 17:23:20

As my learning curve inches into flatter territory - and higher speeds - I've found it desirable to use ear plugs, as recommended by most authorities. Tried 'em out for the first time today on a quick ride to Skull Valley (You want names? We got names!) & back. When I first inserted them I was concerned they'd cut too much sound but really, within moments I forgot about them and never felt isolated or out of touch with my surroundings (or fellow travelrers). A salutary benefit is that by screening out eardrum-damaging higher frequencies, they effectively enhance low frequencies, thereby muchly improving the sound of even a bone-stock S40...at least to the rider!

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/27/11 at 18:31:05

thereby muchly improving the sound of even a bone-stock S40...at least to the rider!

at least to the rider!

& exactly who else matters?

Youll be very pleased in the years to come, being able to hear when others cant,,

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Arizuno on 08/27/11 at 19:12:37

I couldn't agree more. While I contemplate doing the Routy muffler-drill, I have minimal investment in what other people think. There's a guy around the corner with a straight-pipe Harley who evidently concurs, but I find that level of auditory posturing akin to playing earth-shaking base speakers, for all to hear/feel, in one's cage. Not that I've any opinions on the subject...

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Gyrobob on 08/27/11 at 20:19:34

Not being able to hear well ruins your life in some ways. I know about this.

Arizuno, you are doing the right thing. Congratulations. Keep it up.

Make sure you are using the earplugs properly. The squishy ones that you roll into a tube, slide into your outer ear canal, and then wait for the earplug to expand, work really well IF you get them in far enough. If you don't, they don't work very well.

If you have them inserted, and you look into a mirror, they are probably okay if you can not see them at all.

Another test (just before you put your helmet on) is to lightly snap your fingers about two inches from your ears. If you have to really concentrate to hear the noise, you are probably okay.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Serowbot on 08/28/11 at 10:32:17

The voices in head, get way too loud, when I use earplugs...

Very distracting...:-?...

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/28/11 at 12:15:51

7066716C74616C77030 wrote:

The voices in head, get way too loud, when I use earplugs...

Very distracting...:-?...

Thats disturbing,, which is, I suppose, the result of being "disturbed"..

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by scottnj on 08/28/11 at 14:09:49

Had never worn earplugs before -- always wear a full face helmet and thought that was cutting the noise. After reading this, though, I tried some soft foam earplugs when I rode about 120 miles today, some highway and some two-laners. Definitely liked them on the highway, and found them pretty comfortable to wear. Will use them from here on out to protect my hearing long-term. Thanks for reminding me to give them a try!

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Arizuno on 08/28/11 at 14:46:46

I failed to give due credit to webbikeworld.com, which covers this subject very thoroughly and reviews a number of earplugs. And which convinced me ear plugs were a high priority. I got a box of Moldex Pura-Fit 6800 from Amazon - much cheaper than buying a few at a time from the drugstore. Although they're "disposable", they can be used several times before you toss them. And each pair is separately packaged so you can always keep a few in a jacket pocket, saddlebags, etc.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/28/11 at 14:47:54

Sporting goods @ WalMart has some soft rubber ones with ridges & theyre connected by a sting, so you can pop them out & have them around your neck, They feel better & work beter than the foam, too,, & thyre cheap..

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Gyrobob on 08/28/11 at 16:04:34

57484E4954536252625A48440F3D0 wrote:

Whether or not they feel better varies a lot from one person's ear to another.

For me, the most comfortable are the EAR type foam plugs that can be used a few times each before they get tossed. I started using plugs in the early 70's when F-4 flying was doing a lot of damage. I tried everything from wax to foam to plastic cones to custom cast plugs. I always seemed to revert to the foam cheapies.

You can buy them in quantity for several cents each from industrial supply places like Fastenal.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/28/11 at 17:43:50

Hey, if your ears are easy to please, fine,, Ive just got ears that prefer a gourmet ear plug,, youre a cheap one, you are,,

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Gyrobob on 08/28/11 at 19:32:08

332C2A2D30370636063E2C206B590 wrote:

youre a cheap one, you are,,

I prefer to think of myself as simply being cost-effective,....

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Starlifter on 08/28/11 at 21:04:23

Many times I have been in the cage with all the windows rolled up and thought my engine had thrown a piston or something when I see a vehicle next to me with some teenaged nut blasting out some hideous ignorant noise from speakers the size of small refrigerators in his car.

By the time these kids are 40 they will have hearing-aids the size of wind-up alarm clocks hanging out of their ears.

As for ear plugs on the bike, don't leave home without them.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Dj12midnit on 08/29/11 at 10:33:14

Ear plugs make it to hard to hear my music.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by arteacher on 08/29/11 at 10:40:58

"I started using plugs in the early 70's when F-4 flying was doing a lot of damage."

Is that why you "speak" so loudly here o9n the forum? ;)

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by arteacher on 08/29/11 at 10:44:30

The only problem with ear plugs is you can push wax further into your ears. You need to clean the ear canals frequently to avoid buildup. Some have damaged ear drums by packing wax to hard against the drum.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by weracerc on 08/29/11 at 12:14:21

the foams are good the corded foams are easy to keep up with and the corded "christmas tree" looking ones are good since they are re-useable - the foams are meant to be 1 time use - they hold bacteria cant really be cleaned so they need to be discarded after 1 or maybe two uses (a days worth of riding). Also keep in mind the NRR value is important in deciding what to wear...Noise Reduction Ratio - most foams are in the mid 30's and the molded ones (re-useable) are in the mid 20's NRR values......the higher the NRR the more protected you are.

re-usables
http://www.labsafety.com/hearing-protection/reusable-earplugs-24417350/
disposables
http://www.labsafety.com/hearing-protection/disposable-earplugs-24417492/

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Gyrobob on 08/30/11 at 20:03:33

2922222B2728293332460 wrote:

I used to worry about that too,.. but then a USAF MD told me the foam roll-em-skinny, stick-them-in, and wait-for-them-to-expand plugs do just the opposite.

They actually pull wax OUT of your ears because when they go in they are about 3/16” in diameter, then they slowly expand to contact all of the inner surface. When you pull them out later, they drag some of the wax out with them. When you do this over and over again, you are actually gently cleaning out your ears.

I will agree, though, that the kinds of plugs that are fat when you stuff them in, and are forced to conform to the inner shape of the ear canal will probably push wax further in.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 08/31/11 at 11:09:03

Gyrobob -

You still flying? I am, and hope to never give it up.

I started wearing both earplugs and a headset in a Beech 18 - nothing like a pair of howling R-985s to rattle your ears.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/31/11 at 19:26:29

2D222E242F2229252235202235470 wrote:

Gyrobob -

You still flying? I am, and hope to never give it up.

I started wearing both earplugs and a headset in a Beech 18 - nothing like a pair of howling R-985s to rattle your ears.

A Beech H 18?

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Gyrobob on 08/31/11 at 20:01:04

I haven't flown in months (med cert issue) but that is about to be cleared up. I am building a 2-seat gyro, and my hangar-mate has a Cessna 195.

I teach in the sims at Delta, but I don't fly professionally anymore, except for minor things like flight reviews, ICCs, etc.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 09/01/11 at 05:29:33

JOG -

I've flown an H model, but most of the time in 18s was actually in the C-45 model, an old one with low roof line and low tail.

Gyrobob -

I understand med issues. I'm now exercising sport and sport instructor privileges, even though I have a commercial and CFII. Glad to hear that your issue will be cleaned up. Mine relates to having two stents put in 7 years ago, so I'm stable and fit to fly, but I won't risk going for a special issuance medical cert.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by mscepu101 on 09/01/11 at 19:52:17

I started using earplugs this year and can not believe the benefit. I wear a full face helmet with earplugs and the reduction in "wind stress" is amazing!

I enjoy my rides much more and will continue to wear them in the future. I use "foamies" or "christmas trees" depending on which feel more comfortable for the day. It my "sound" odd but somedays the "christmas trees" hurt so I go with the "foamies" but other days the "foamies" just won't go in correctly.

Unfortunately, I cannot convince other riders to try them. I am sure if the MSF course had you try them more riders would use them.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/02/11 at 14:35:01

There was a Beech H-18 on the cover of Flying Magazine when I was in 5th or 6th grade. I thot it was The Best Lookin thing Id ever seen,,

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Arizuno on 09/02/11 at 19:29:52

I don't know WTH this has to do with ear plugs, but I started this string so...I always thought the Staggerwing Beech was the best looking aircraft I'd ever seen. Still do. Probably best to wear 'plugs in that, too.

Title: Re: Ear Plugs
Post by Boule’tard on 09/02/11 at 19:47:01

I have an uncle that had a Beechcraft QueenAir and boy was that thing earplug-worthy too.

Mack's silicone plugs (the purple christmas tree/fishbone plugs, available at walmart) are my earplugs of choice, very good sound attenuation and very comfortable.