SuzukiSavage.com - Earplugs while riding

mscepu101 Full Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 104	Earplugs while riding 04/16/11 at 12:48:22 I have recently seen the thread asking how the S40 handles at highway speeds. My 1999 Savage holds its own but I wonder how many riders use foam earplugs under their helmet to reduce the wind stress coming through helmets.
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T Mack 1 - FSO Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline sold 2001 LS650 for a 1986 XLH1100 Posts: 2919 Emmaus,Pa Gender:	Re: Earplugs while riding Reply #1 - 04/16/11 at 12:53:33 Windshield works wonders at higher speeds. I'm no longer in the mind set to be hanging on to things at near hurricane force winds.
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Driller Full Member Offline Really "Zooked" up Posts: 140 Tryon, NC Gender:	Re: Earplugs while riding Reply #2 - 04/16/11 at 13:03:49 I have worn earplugs with my full face helmets since I started back riding about 10 yrs ago. Can't afford more hearing loss than has already occurred from not wearing protection.
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mscepu101 Full Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 104	Re: Earplugs while riding Reply #3 - 04/16/11 at 13:08:25 Do you use simple foam plugs or something more hi tech?
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Driller Full Member Offline Really "Zooked" up Posts: 140 Tryon, NC Gender:	Re: Earplugs while riding Reply #4 - 04/16/11 at 13:18:02 Foam plugs have worked fine. The ribbed silicone models become uncomfortable to me after a long time. I have considered the custom silicone plugs you can get at gun or bike shows, but don't want to shell out the $ since I would probably lose them.
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prechermike

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Re: Earplugs while riding
Reply #5 - 04/16/11 at 15:06:28

I'm with Driller. I have started using earplugs when I ride and can tell a real difference. I have lost too much of my hearing already and I am constantly telling the whipper snappers around me to wear protection when they are mowing, shooting, etc. I don't like the foam plugs, the ribbed silicone ones work better for me, but they are not all created equal. The ones from Tractor Supply seem to fit my ears the best.

Someone commented on not being able to hear as well while riding and my buddy commented, "Why, it is not like anyone is going to blow their horn at you." Cheesy

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Re: Earplugs while riding
Reply #6 - 04/16/11 at 15:57:20

I have been wearing foam ear plugs for about eight years. My FFH gets real noisey at 60+mph. My hearing is already shot thanks to hitting rock concerts in the 70's, target shooting with no protection and being the pit crew for a buddy's dirt tracker late model for a couple of years. Anytime I fly I'll carry a pair. I had a flight on a turboprop with a wing seat that almost made my ears bleed because of the noise.

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arteacher

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Re: Earplugs while riding
Reply #7 - 04/16/11 at 16:02:30

I used to wear them then I bought a Draxtar P-104 helmet from Germany. It was originally designed for tank crew, modified for motorcycle use, and has headphone-like ear cups in it, and is VERY quiet. Someone standing in front of you has to yell loudly for you to hear them. BTW, as a teacher I am very concerned about how kids are literally deafening themselves with I-pods and the like, so I have a lesson I teach where I measure the sound pressure levels (SPL's) that they listen at with an SPL meter and tell them how fast they are going deaf. The AVERAGE level they listen at is 106 db, which is safe for 15 min per day. I have a little presentation which describes what happens to the inner ear at loud levels, and audio samples that demonstrate what how your hearing is affected at 25, 50, and 75% hearing loss. A few have actually turned them down to safe levels (which I also demonstrate). When called upon to do dance supervision, which thankfully happens only a couple of times per year, I wear earplugs and safety headphones, as I have measured DJs and live bands at 120-130 db, which is jet engine territory! Shocked

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BuckRYCA

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Re: Earplugs while riding
Reply #8 - 04/16/11 at 16:38:55

I wear a full-face helmet. I've read that typical noise level inside such a helmet is 110dB at 65mph. Sustained noise at this level will definitely result in hearing damage and permanent loss.

I use Hearos blue foam earplugs with a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 33dB. They are comfortable enough over several hours. A small dab of petroleum jelly inside the ear canal helps to set the plugs for me. I have no problem noticing other traffic noises like horns, sirens, etc.

When I was a kid I rode with an open-face Bell helmet on a naked bike and no ear plugs. I was not bothered by noise. With a full-face Shoei it's a different matter.

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« Last Edit: 04/17/11 at 10:41:12 by BuckRYCA »

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Boofer Serious Thumper Offline Nearly too old. Posts: 1760 N Ms Gender:	Re: Earplugs while riding Reply #9 - 04/16/11 at 17:10:21 I didn't see it mentioned, but you will not feel as tired after a long ride if you use ear plugs. Engine and wind noise drag you down after a while.
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s40fan YaBB Newbies Offline Posts: 46 TX	Re: Earplugs while riding Reply #10 - 04/16/11 at 17:34:05 noise cancelling headphones. and no i dont blast my music. besides, what can you really hear at highway speeds anyway? just a cheap mp3 player and some inexpensive in ear buds like those from skull candy.
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Routy Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 2280 Winston Oregon Gender:	Re: Earplugs while riding Reply #11 - 04/16/11 at 20:18:55 Am I the first to say I'd quit riding first ? Maybe its my cheepo $50 helmet, Maybe its my larger fairing type (slip streamers) The noise I get while riding is not going to hurt my hearing, trust me.
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Re: Earplugs while riding
Reply #12 - 04/16/11 at 20:40:47

Back a couple of years ago when I was a practicing Audiologist, used to sell the Musicians custom made ear plugs by Westone..cost @$100. and you could get a variety of dB reductions ....but for most people, the foam plugs will take off 15-20 dB which combined with the short rides most take, should do the job okay. It gets a bit more complex if you want to get fit with custom ear plugs to receive music/telephone from your electronic goodies and still try to protect your ears from wind noise.

Oddly enough, you have to go to a gun shop or equipment store to find ear plugs....of course cigaret filters will stand in (I recommend unlit) Grin

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JohnBoy Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 825 Gender:	Re: Earplugs while riding Reply #13 - 04/16/11 at 21:00:51 ear plugs just may get you killed!
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Earplugs while riding Reply #14 - 04/16/11 at 23:42:32 Ive enjoyed many miles of driving standard trans vans/trucks with no radio. Well, I had a CB in the van,, Ive a radio in the pickup, but Id rather listen to the engine,,Generally, the thots in my head keep me plenty well occupied.
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