Ear Plugs... Good Idea?

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

Originally Posted by hutchy

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

[embee]

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/Produc...ouch+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!!

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.

Vital for motorways for me, I think I have a noisy helmet. I just use cheap throw-away ones (for weeks on end ) 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 ). 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

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 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

Originally Posted by DarrenSV650S

80 euros for eagplugs? You my friend have been conned


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

Once again, thanks all

Stu