Ear Plugs

[Rodders]

But why protect your ears and make everyone else suffer.

I don't wear plugs so we all suffer.

[SalTheWop]

Originally Posted by Chris L

Most people wear ear plugs for the wind noise, not pipe noise, just think of the rice riders who wear them, can't be for the loud pipes can it ? Also on a H-D the engine sounds so much better with earplugs, cuts down the 'can of nails' noise.

Agreed , on all counts.

[SalTheWop]

Also, having dabbled with a 1/2 helmet , I dont know how anyone can ride without earplugs whilst wearing one. Anything over 40ish was bloody painful.That can't be good for your hearing.

[chilly]

Quote = " cuts down the 'can of nails' noise."




Ear plugs! - best bit of tuning kit iv'e ever bought

[Tony Cross]

Originally Posted by chilly

Got mine made at my local Hospital audiology dept,cost me £30 ,a bloody bargain,wouldn't be with out them now

Was this NHS? Did you need a doctor's note?

Can you give more details Alan?. I have tried ordinary earplugs but found them a little uncomfortable.

[Tones]

I use earplugs but lately, on a longer ride, I use Sennheiser ear buds conveniently attached to my iPod, can still hear the wind and the engine, but made more bearable by classic tunes

[Commander Zero]

Somtimes I'll use an open face helmet with goggles if the weather is good and if so I will use earplugs to kill only the wind noise, I can still hear my engine running and my exhaust note so would know if any unusual noises were to start, I run screaming eagle silencers with the baffles modified to cut out the harshness and give a more deeper but mutted sound while still retaining a mild form of tune. I wore my full face helmet during the week because I did not know what the weather would throw at me and wish to god I had worn my earplugs, the wind noise was terrible and was starting to become unpleasant after a time at high speed. To be honest I've just discovered these days I now prefer to be comfortable on my bike, not like years ago when I would/could suffer it.

[llew]

The wearing of earplugs is one of personal choice I personally want that freedom of choice, along with many others already removed by various do-gooders and governments.

Damage to hearing is normally gradual, many will not notice the loss until it is too late, and unfortunately when it’s gone its gone. You also loose hearing due to age, age related hearing loss. Damage is a result normally of both the amount of noise and the length of time you are exposed to the noise. Continued exposure to noise over 85dB can cause gradual hearing loss. Louder noises will accelerate this noise induced hearing loss.

I tend to suffer from a slight tinnitus, so plugging my ears removes the background sounds and I get to suffer more. Personally I wear plugs on longer journeys (especially if it’s a blat down the motorway), or at rallys where the decibel level of snoring from surrounding tents is louder than a jumbo jet.

We did some work on this with police helmets back in the late 80’s. Have not got the results now, I did find this on the web.

The Dutch Government’s Occupational Health & Safety Service commissioned a study on the effects of wind noise and discovered some disturbing results. At 50mph the sound level under a helmet was 90decibels (dB). Speed has a significant effect on sound levels and for each 12mph increase in speed, the intensity of the sound is doubled. According to the report, at 60mph, a rider is experiencing the same level of noise as a circular saw operator, the only difference being that the circular saw jockey would have to wear, by law, ear defenders.
Using Noise Regulations figures laid down for the workplace, the following figures would apply to safe exposure times while riding a motorcycle:
Speed (Mph) Noise Level (dB) Safe Riding Time
50 92 2 Hours
62 94 1 Hour
74 97 30 Minutes
86 100 15 Minutes
98 103 7.5 Minutes
110 106 3.75 Minutes

[chilly]

Tony
I contacted the Audiology dept at the hospital,told them what and why i wanted them and they made an appointment for me.

Good luck mate,you'll not regret it i can assure you.

By the way i couldn't wear ordinary plugs,they hurt my ears, but these are real comfortable.