Earplugs?

Hi guys.

One of my friends wears earplugs and swears by them. Mind you he is an instructor so spends about 12 hours per day on his Honda Pan. I've never worn them and have been biking now for over three years, riding almost every day about 100miles or so commuting. Never had any problems with my hearing, in fact my hearing is excellent. Just wondering the benefits of wearing them really?

Cheers,

Dan

I read a post on this the other day, sure it was here.

Basically, it prevents wind noise and prevents (?sp) Tinitus (the high pitch ringing sound in your ears). You can still hear things normally, the engine note etc. Once you get it, it can be in-curable.

Just think, you go out to a really loud nightclub. You get home and your ears are ringining like mad, now imagine that every day for the rest of your life?

If you value your hearing (esp at 100 miles per day) then i would highly advise wearing ear defenders.

I wear them, I swear by them.

I don't wear them if i'm just going short distances at lowish speeds, any trip of 30 minutes or more or high speed trips & they go straight in.
I think it's a case of the loss of hearing catching up with you in later years, I SAID, I THINK IT'S A CASE......................................

[northwind]

I've got a boxfull, but I always forget to use them... They make an immense difference in motorway riding though, when I do occasionally remember.

Pardon?

[fizzwheel]

I never used to. But I noticed that I was getting a headache and also had a loud rining in my ears after a long ride.

Its not the noise from my can. Its the white noise caused by wind rushing past my lid.

Earplugs for me block out this noise and that means my ears dont ring after along ride which means IMHO that my ears are no longer being damaged. However I have noticed that I am very sensitive to background noise and I cant cope with being in a nightclub where the music is loud as it hurts my ears and I cant follow conversations. I tend to wear my earplugs when I'm out in a nightclub now as well. I might look like a tw*t but I can still hear when I get out.

I think the effects are gradual and build up over time so you might not notice that your hearing isnt as good as it once was. I think my hearing has been effected by not wearing them so the damage has been done I just dont want it getting any worse.

I work in acoustics, (building) and have just done a small assignment on NIHL.
Noise Induced Hearing Loss.
I don't profess to be an expert, but constant riding with air 'rushing' in can cause this. Hearing deteriates by age, so be careful!
Everyone is different, so it will affect everyone differently.
Tinnitus, is actually a rushing, ringing noise in the ear that's caused internally and not by external noise. That's why you can get it in the quietest of moments. (I suffer occasionally!)
I'd sayWear plugs as much as possible, but it's down to the individual.

Personally, I wear them on longer runs only, but know I should wear all the time.

Once hearing is gone, it's gone!

You never get your hearing back, so wear them! Anything over 50mph or so is going to be bad for your ears over time. They will also make you less tired. In fact, I use ear plugs whenever I travel. Trains, cars, planes, they help a lot.

You can buy them in bulk so they are not expensive. I usually stuff a load of them under the seat for when I get cought short.

Having spent many a year sat directly next to a massive Rolls Royce engine whilst driving a tank, my ears are pretty much fooked. Especially the left one.

I also get the ringing in the ears so it seems that my ears are knackered both inside and out.

I wear ear plugs all the time, regardless of how short the journey is. I have just got so much into the habit that I can't ride without them. Doesn't feel right.

WHAT??!

In that case I will go buy a box of those little coloured one's. I may star wearing them around the house as well to block out that horrid syndrome missuswhingingintus!

Thanks guys.

Dan