View Full Version : Ear Plugs... Good Idea?
OK - I've finally got around to buying ear plugs for on the bike. However, I'd like to know other opinions on them when riding...
1) They seem to keep an awful lot of noise out - will I still be able to hear traffic? I'd rather live with the tinitus than risk riding without being able to hear what's going on...
2) Does anyone have problems with balance / comfort when wearing them whilst riding. I've been wearing them aound the house and they seem OK - again just looking for experiences.
3) The shop where I got them from rocommended getting real ones if I am going to be wearing them long term whilst on the bike. However, at 80 euros for a made to measure set (discount if you take along a leeaflet from the bike shop to the ear plug shop) are they really going to be better than 2.50 euros for a set of two disposable (You can wash them a couple of times, but basically just foam ones).
Stu
1, Yes you will hear traffic fine - apparently you can actually hear things like that BETTER with the plugs in. You don't want tinitus
2, No
3, I use the foam ones that can be washed so are dead cheap. They come in different ratings and I got a set with a high rating. Main thing is to make sure you put them in properly.
Only trouble I have with earplugs is wax build up but I use this audiclean stuff so that I don't need syringing.
DarrenSV650S
09-10-06, 07:17 PM
However, at 80 euros for a made to measure set (discount if you take along a leeaflet from the bike shop to the ear plug shop) are they really going to be better than 2.50 euros for a set of two disposable (You can wash them a couple of times, but basically just foam ones).
:shock: 80 euros for eagplugs? You my friend have been conned :lol:
I always wear dispossable ones (which I get free from work :P ) and never miss anything going on. They are great for blocking out wind noise, while still letting you hear everything around you. :)
Well Oiled
09-10-06, 07:19 PM
If you don't wear earplugs when riding at high speeds you'll go deaf and won't hear the traffic anyway. :P
Red ones
09-10-06, 07:20 PM
I never ride without.
I can't here road noise, but can hear sirens, horns etc. Never suffer pain or loss of balance - I find the quiet helps me concentrate.
1, Yes you will hear traffic fine - apparently you can actually hear things like that BETTER with the plugs in. You don't want tinitus
2, No
3, I use the foam ones that can be washed so are dead cheap. They come in different ratings and I got a set with a high rating. Main thing is to make sure you put them in properly.
Only trouble I have with earplugs is wax build up but I use this audiclean stuff so that I don't need syringing.
OK - may sound like a daft question, but how do you know when you have aproblem with wax build up?
:)
Thanks,
Stu
However, at 80 euros for a made to measure set (discount if you take along a leeaflet from the bike shop to the ear plug shop) are they really going to be better than 2.50 euros for a set of two disposable (You can wash them a couple of times, but basically just foam ones).
:shock: 80 euros for eagplugs? You my friend have been conned :lol:
I always wear dispossable ones (which I get free from work :P ) and never miss anything going on. They are great for blocking out wind noise, while still letting you hear everything around you. :)
Not brought yet - I've never got on with sound insulating plugs before (always uncomfotable - I have small ears, well ear holes at least :) ). I just wondered if anyone had any of the made to measure ones, and if they were worth the extra money...
Er cos it feels like you have an ear plug in even when you haven't!
Had that once before when I used to wear them on the bike and for using machinary at work. One of my ears got blocked and even these drops you put in wouldn't shift it.
Had it syringed which fixed it and they said the other one was almost blocked too which I put down to using ear plugs a lot. Some people have troubles and some have no problems at all.
Used that audiclean stuff leaving it to soak for 10 mins and after using that a lot of times I got loads out. Now use it for prevention.
trickywoos
09-10-06, 07:27 PM
I buy them in bulk at the NEC- something like 20 pairs for £10 or something. Fit perfectly and work fine for me.
kwak zzr
09-10-06, 07:28 PM
i cant wear them :roll: balance problems and i keep loosing them so now i dont bother.
i never thought about earplugs, everyone was wearing them on the last ride out......think i will invest in some ?
Guess I'll try them tomorrow and see how they do. Wearing them whilst doing this was OK (and made TMF listenable.. :P )
squirrel_hunter
09-10-06, 07:32 PM
Pardon!
Well someone had to :lol: :oops:
I started wearing them about 6 months ago. Should have started earlier as I swear I'm going def already. Cuts down the wind noise and I don't have a problem hearing things around me (but if I did how would I know?).
I go for the disposable ones, bought a bag of 100 for a fiver. Tempted by the custom made ones but the price is a bit off putting for me at the moment. The other reason I wouldn't go for custom ones yet is I'm always loosing them. So now I carry a spare set with me as well.
Definitely get some, plenty of info on the web about why you should. Shocking how quickly your hearing gets damaged at certain speeds.
jonboy99
09-10-06, 07:40 PM
^^I'd echo that. You don't need perfect hearing to be safe on the road, and needlessly being the guy who sits in the pub all quiet cos he can't hear the conversation for the rest of your life is no fun.
Wind noise at >50mph is enough to damage your hearing. At around 90 I can't hear the engine at 8k rpm - try revving up to 8k rpm with the bike in the driveway to make you realise just how loud the wind is!
never worn em...
can't stick em, and I hate the feeling of them in my ears....
must be a phobia of when I was a kid and had something stuck in my ear... (a spider which had babys...and i could hear them .. yuck)
never worn em...
can't stick em, and I hate the feeling of them in my ears....
must be a phobia of when I was a kid and had something stuck in my ear... (a spider which had babys... yuck)
Ok now suppose a spider or fly or earwig or something gets in your helmet?!?
If you have earplugs in then it won't get in your ear.
never worn em...
can't stick em, and I hate the feeling of them in my ears....
must be a phobia of when I was a kid and had something stuck in my ear... (a spider which had babys... yuck)
Ok now suppose a spider or fly or earwig or something gets in your helmet?!?
If you have earplugs in then it won't get in your ear.
Didn't wear a helmet when I was 8...
Its one of those things, if you can get used to them its definitely better to wear them than not, if you want your hearing in later life.
It takes a while to get used to them. I hated them at first, I felt distanced from everything around me and it made me feel wobbly. But you can get used to them if you persavere.
What swayed me in the end was after one ride-out I had ringing in my ears from the exhaust, as if I had been clubbing all night. Yep, I decided to wear earplugs.
^^I'd echo that. You don't need perfect hearing to be safe on the road, and needlessly being the guy who sits in the pub all quiet cos he can't hear the conversation for the rest of your life is no fun.
Wind noise at >50mph is enough to damage your hearing. At around 90 I can't hear the engine at 8k rpm - try revving up to 8k rpm with the bike in the driveway to make you realise just how loud the wind is!
I'm not quiet in the pub because I'm deaf... I'm quiet 'cause I'm the shy one :)
I'll post how I get on with the plugs tomorrow...
Thanks for advice all :)
Stu
try here
http://www.diycustomplugs.co.uk/
they sound quite good ,some 'custom'plugs are fitted without wearing your helmet ,get these ,mix it together ,put in ear and walk about house with your helmet on until it goes' off' ,jobs a good'un :wink:
I use them and find theyre great. Get a trial pack from http://earplugs.gb.com/ and find which set is best for you. Not only do they make riding a lot less tiring through noise but they also improve my concentration levels i find and as a result they are always worn on rides of say 5 miles or more.
fizzwheel
09-10-06, 08:56 PM
I didnt when I started riding, I do now.
I tried loads of different ones before I settled on "Max Laser Lite" disposables. I wont ride without them now. I can still hear cars etc, but it removes all the background white noise. I havent found it effects my balance, but I know somebody who like Richie numbers cant stand them.
I bought a box of 200 a while ago, I tend to throw them away and have a new pair after a couple of weeks or after a particularly long ride when I've been wearing them all day.
I'd agree with Robchester, I find it helps me concentrate and I'm definately less tired now at the end of a ride now that I do wear earplugs.
tigersaw
09-10-06, 08:56 PM
I have just started to wear them on long journeys, I dont bother for my normal 30 minute commute.
A lot depends on your helmet too, I find my Shoei has a lot more wind noise than the Aria before it.
After close to 30 years riding without earplugs, although by no means deaf I do have some odd hearing difficulties, I find it difficult to separate the dialogue from the background in movies and tv progs, and have to concentrate on conversations in a noisy enviroment, though that might just be old age :roll:
CoolGirl
09-10-06, 09:00 PM
I know plenty of deaf old bikers. Ask Rictus. I said ASK RICTUS! :lol:
Sid Squid
09-10-06, 09:18 PM
:shock: 80 euros for eagplugs? You my friend have been conned :lol:
Wrong, wrong big time in fact.
I've got made to measure ear plugs, work better and are more comfy.
Necessary? No of course not, you'll probably be just fine with disposables, but there's absolutely no doubt in my mind the made to measure ones are far superior.
Nashwan
09-10-06, 09:20 PM
I didnt when I started riding, I do now.
Ditto.
If it's just a short hop, I won't bother, but on longer journeys they're essential. I was convinced earlier this year when I went out for a ride with some friends for the day and ended up with my ears ringing quite badly when I got back.
The only problem with the plugs is that you tend to be revving about 3k higher than you think you are :)
northwind
09-10-06, 09:31 PM
I wear them for motorway-bashing, every time. Just cheap disposables, I'd lose expensive ones... What a difference they make.
There was a review in Ride, or possibly Bike, a while back, studying lids by their noise levels. That also makes a big difference, aparently up to half of all wind noise is from your helmet. My next lid'll be chosen with that in mind as well.
Well just arrived after trying them or the first time. Gotta say I'm imprssed. I could hear cars around town (though not on the motorway... :? ) and the wind noise is greatly reduced without a loss of balance.
I do still get an amount of wind noise though. Normal? Or have I jus put the plugs in wrong (going back to my small ear holes making it difficult here :) )
Stu
They keep you warmer too. Seriously!
I have small ear canals - look out for re-usable plugs badged for women/kids - I have a great set that push neatly into my ear canals and mute the world, dont really like wearing them but the alternative is spending the evening saying WHAT to everything.
I also use my mp3 when riding distances - with the ear bud type headphones (sony ericcson w810i standard headphones) - not as easy to put in properly and I have to use medical tape to keep them in place when I'm putting my lid on but the benefits are muted world noise and listening to my fave music whilst riding.
Rode the pyrenees this summer listening to 70s prog rock classics - nothing compares to screaming round high mountain passes and diving into valleys listening to close to the edge by yes
I have small ear canals - look out for re-usable plugs badged for women/kids - I have a great set that push neatly into my ear canals and mute the world, dont really like wearing them but the alternative is spending the evening saying WHAT to everything.
I also use my mp3 when riding distances - with the ear bud type headphones (sony ericcson w810i standard headphones) - not as easy to put in properly and I have to use medical tape to keep them in place when I'm putting my lid on but the benefits are muted world noise and listening to my fave music whilst riding.
Rode the pyrenees this summer listening to 70s prog rock classics - nothing compares to screaming round high mountain passes and diving into valleys listening to close to the edge by yes
That sounds like a plan. Use use teh Sony ear bud type phones and to give you an indication of the hassle I have the smallest buds are *just* too big for me... I'll takea nother trip to the shop over the weekend ands ee if they have any smaller ones :)
As the others say.
I can't imagine not using some sort of hearing protection nowadays.
I've tried various types, quite liked the Max-Lite which are often recommended by the reviews. Fitting technique is crucial though.
I've been using these
http://www.protecdirect.co.uk/Product.asp?i=2634&n=Peltor+Next+No+Touch+Ear+Plugs
for quite a while now, the biggest benefit is the ease of fitting. No rolling required like plain foam types.
I was concerned that the peg would touch on the inside of the helmet lining, but it hasn't been an issue with my Arai.
I still do the "reach over your head and pull right ear with left hand" stunt to open up the canal, but the no-touch plugs just slip in using the plastic peg, dead easy, and you can adjust them so the 2 sides are balanced. I find it very disconcerting if you get one side fitted better than the other.
If you have small ear canals, make sure you try plugs suitable for you. If you look at some of the industrial suppliers you'll find there are dozens of different types with descriptions and often sizing. It's a bit like helmets, find one that fits and suits you. I've come to the conclusion that the noise-reduction rating (SNR) is much less important than the fit. Really good plugs that don't fit properly won't stop the noise.
I've had stuff from both these
http://www.protecdirect.co.uk/
http://www.safetysupplies.co.uk/trolleyed/index.htm
I forgot to put my earplugs or earphones in this morning for some strange reason. OMG the noise!! :shock:
Earplugs/earphones (I've got the Sony in-ear jobbies) are definitely the way to go in my book. I don't need to hear the awful noise of the lorry three lanes away or the music from the car I'm passing.
With my earplugs in, I can hear the lovely sound of my bike and whats going on around me, that is plenty enough.
Warthog
10-10-06, 12:07 PM
Vital for motorways for me, I think I have a noisy helmet. I just use cheap throw-away ones (for weeks on end :oops: ) and they work well, although some nice fitted ones would probably be a nice christmas present.
And as Northy says, I think noise factor will be important for my next helmet choice!
I know I should, but generally I don't. I have done a few times, and more than anything, it's the convience of not putting them in compared to the time it takes to put them in properly. Then they fall on the floor when you take your lid off :(
I'll try make an effort to remember on the way home (the sun is shining still :D). See how I get on.
On a similar note, how many other folks are in the same position as me? I can tell when the SV is starting to get low on fuel before the warning light comes on, just by the engine sound. It seems the empty fuel tank causes a slight echo. It's enough to make me think I'm in a different gear at times! (I use sound of the engine to gauge when to change up/down more often than anything else now).
I've god EUP87 from here
http://www.ultimateear.com/products_motorbike.html
They are a lot better than the disposables they are strung together to stop me losing them.
Waxing up is a problem though, not nice, but the nurse at the surgery is :)
suzsv650
10-10-06, 06:20 PM
i dont wear em i find it hard to see vital things like speed cameras lol
but i will wear them when i do motorways over to the girlfriends only 40 miles tho :lol: i find i dotn really need them unless im doin a fast ride yes i know you can stil damage ur hearing on short journeys :wink:
SV1000s
10-10-06, 06:47 PM
However, at 80 euros for a made to measure set (discount if you take along a leeaflet from the bike shop to the ear plug shop) are they really going to be better than 2.50 euros for a set of two disposable (You can wash them a couple of times, but basically just foam ones).
:shock: 80 euros for eagplugs? You my friend have been conned :lol:
I always wear dispossable ones (which I get free from work :P ) and never miss anything going on. They are great for blocking out wind noise, while still letting you hear everything around you. :)I paid about the same for a set made to measure, the best purchase I made, I've had them maybe 5 years now.
I NEVER rise the bike without plugs.
Anything over 30 mph is damaging your ears.
Well after using them for one day I can see why people swear by them. I thought it was still a bit noisey (wind) and that maybe I'd lost a bit too much of the ambiant sound, so I stopped at a petrol station and took them out for the last 2 km's of motorway.
The difference was immense. The noise at 40kmph was more than at... well a bit faster than that :) with. And once the wind noise gets up you can't hear the other traffic any better without the plugs as with.
Mind you still makes my eyes water putting the plugs in, once in they're fine, but putting them in isn't the best. Oh yes, and to make sure they are bedded in before I put the helmet on I put them in in the office before I walk to the bike. Which means no one can call me back as I can't hear them at all :twisted:
Once again, thanks all
Stu
northwind
10-10-06, 08:34 PM
Oh aye- watch your speed! Sounds daft, but when i first started using plugs I found my speed crept up constantly on motorways, because I'm so used to using the noise levels as a cue. Not going deaf? Must not be going fast enough.
Oh aye- watch your speed! Sounds daft, but when i first started using plugs I found my speed crept up constantly on motorways, because I'm so used to using the noise levels as a cue. Not going deaf? Must not be going fast enough.
The cost of being caught over here makes it not worth speeding down the motorway (I keep a good eye on the speedo) - thirty over the limit and you can kiss your lisence goodbye on the spot (leaving you standed with a bike you can't ride, miles from home).
However... I've not seen a camera on a slip road... Generally enjoy myself there, then slow down to join the traffic :)
And it has to be said the bike sounds amazing with the plugs in - not as loud, but a much better sound as you only get the low end noise coming through - you can really hear that V-Twin noise :)
PsychoCannon
11-10-06, 01:33 PM
Tried them, hated them as I didn't feel I could hear traffic and figured I'd be better off without or using headphones instead so at least I'd have music.
2 years later of ridding every day on the motorway I lie in bed in the silence and can hear a constant ringing.....not good....
going to start using them.....
Tried them, hated them as I didn't feel I could hear traffic and figured I'd be better off without or using headphones instead so at least I'd have music.
2 years later of ridding every day on the motorway I lie in bed in the silence and can hear a constant ringing.....not good....
going to start using them.....
Err... You know that could be the music don't you :lol: It's what did my ears... Too much poodle rock in the 80's / 90's :oops:
Why is it, soon as I out my earplugs in people feel like having a conversation?
I could go for days without talking to a soul and then the minute the plugs are in somebody starts yakking at me.
PsychoCannon
12-10-06, 12:42 PM
Tried them, hated them as I didn't feel I could hear traffic and figured I'd be better off without or using headphones instead so at least I'd have music.
2 years later of ridding every day on the motorway I lie in bed in the silence and can hear a constant ringing.....not good....
going to start using them.....
Err... You know that could be the music don't you :lol: It's what did my ears... Too much poodle rock in the 80's / 90's :oops:
Heh it's possable ;)
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