Riding with plugs in

yep, I have tinitus too (the ringing thing) from loud clubs mainly, but the bike can't help either. I always use ear plugs, but have recently bought an autocom so I can listen to music through the ear plugs - the speakers fit under your helmet lining and still sound good even with ear plugs in - they block out the most harmful frequencies whilst leaving you free to hear the important stuff like sirens and speech.

Originally Posted by madness

+1

+ another 1

I didn't use earplugs for years and now have hearing problems. I always use earplugs now, but it's a bit too late.

Originally Posted by saoralba

I used to, but in roder to hear my music properly over the noise, i had to have it up quite loud..
I have experienced hearing problems from playing my ipod too loud, i hear a constant ringing and people seem to speak quiter, and i seem to speak louder.. Only 17
Now, i just use ear plugs..
Tis not good..
very boring, especially on long dualer/motorway stretches..

Another vote for the dont campaign, I've hearing damage too.

I have serious tinnitus and hearing damage. I'm 21 and it's because of working in live sound being around 100+dB for ages, and from practicing in bands since I was 11 without hearing protection till I was about 17.

I always ride with 39dB SNR plugs in. Even then it's still the wind noise that is bad.

Earsoft FX are the ones that have the most noise reduction (39dB SNR) and they are good.

Wish I could turn back time. I'm actually terrified of what its going to be like in 20 years time.

I bought some ear plugs that had earphones built in. They cut out the noise you don't want to hear pretty well (though not perfectly) and allow you to listen to music.

My riding style depends on my mood, and listening to music greatly enhances mood one way or the other.

If I'm angry/upset, frankly, I need the keys taking off me. I try not to ride in that kind of mood any more.

A couple of times I've ridden whilst listening to classical music, and you just get going with the flow. Before you know it, you're travelling at speeds they'd quite happily revoke your licence for on an empty road. Only you're diving in & out of traffic filtering hard!

I've also come off my bike in the past, and at least in part I put it down to not being able to hear the engine note to tell which gear I was in at the time.

So I usually don't ride to music now.

[STRAMASHER]

For me there are enough crazy drivers out there without disadvantaging myself by other distractions like listening to music through headphones.

A big part of bikes for me is how they sound anyway. SV standard, is a bit like a sewing machine so you may want to get a pipe to play your own music. Does not even need to be baffle-out illegal either to make a drastic improvement.

When doing fast stuff I would not be without earplugs. Good for the ears but also makes you less fatigued.

I just buy the 20pence pairs from the local gunsmith..
Seems to work, better than nothing..
I seem to push them in too far, probily doing more harm than good..

Still, am 17, got that bloody ringing, and can hear(no pun intended) my hearing getting worse..

Dont even use my ipod at all now, nevermind on the bike..

[flymo]

I use plugs on the track, it cuts down most of the wind noise and actually lets me hear more important detail.

I can clearly hear a bike behind me in a race for example which is useful. Personally I find the orange spongy ones to be the best.

I use the yellow spongy/foam ones..
Forver losing them, so 20pence per pair isnt really a disaster..

Plugs? Hearing protection yes, iPod no, although I do have a pair of tiny speakers mounted in my helmet for comms and the occasional bit of music.

As much as I like the sound of a good pipe, I really appreciate the low noise levels of the stocker at the end of a long day droning down a highway.

Cheers