Why can't earmuff's be built into helmets??

[Ruralman]

Whilst working with my chainsaw the other day wearing my chainsaw helmet which includes a set of good earmuffs I got to thinking - why doesn't some helmet manufacturer design a helmet where the part over your ears effectively functions like a good earmuff?

I get sick of mucking around with earplugs (but I always wear them except on very short trips) but if the helmet had a similar ear covering and sound protection as my chainsaw earmuffs I could do without plugs and could happily have MP3 speakers etc inside them.

I can't think of any logical reason it couldn't be done - can you?

[The Pastor]

i dont see why not actually, maybe some safety issue?

[Plugz 4 Lugz]

Hi there:) we make custom made earplugs for riders and they can also be wired for ipods etc. Check out our website www.earmold.com.au. The basic earplug has an Aust/NZ rating Grade 4, which is equivalent to earmuffs. We will be heading to Ruapuna for the superbikes in January, if you wish to catch up with us. The basic earplugs are $70, the wired/molded earplugs are $220 (we import a quality wired set, as shown on the website, and you wont be disappointed with the sound quality). Cheers Sue a/hrs 07 3480 908 / 027 659 1583


I get sick of mucking around with earplugs (but I always wear them except on very short trips) but if the helmet had a similar ear covering and sound protection as my chainsaw earmuffs I could do without plugs and could happily have MP3 speakers etc inside them.

I can't think of any logical reason it couldn't be done - can you?

[xwhatsit]

I think the amount of plastic and foam and shit to make an effective ear-muff (that sits on the outside of your ears, rather than pushing in like canalphones or ear-plugs) is too bulky to work well. Helmets are thick, of course, but perhaps you already need most of that thickness for safety, and if you look at a decent pair of ear-muffs they aren't particularly small.

I've seen quite a few helmets advertised on the weight of their noise insulation properties.

Me? If I'm going on a long open-road ride by myself (riding around town I need my ears as much as possible), I wear my EP-630 (http://www.nzoczone.com/product_info.php?cPath=71&products_id=1418) canalphones, which not only isolate one hell of a lot of noise, but produce some very reasonable sound considering the price.

[Bass]

I can't think of any logical reason it couldn't be done - can you?

I've never pretended to have all the answers, but I'm buggered if I can think of a way to build earmuffs into a helmet which wouldn't either: -
Reduce the crash protection offered or,
Make the helmet a complete bitch to put on.

[TerminalAddict]

schuberth helmets (rated the quietest helmet money can buy) have a funky design that squeezes into your ears once it on.

[EZAS]

The quieter the helmet, the less you have to turn your headphones up. :laugh:

[peasea]

Whilst working with my chainsaw the other day wearing my chainsaw helmet which includes a set of good earmuffs I got to thinking - why doesn't some helmet manufacturer design a helmet where the part over your ears effectively functions like a good earmuff?

I get sick of mucking around with earplugs (but I always wear them except on very short trips) but if the helmet had a similar ear covering and sound protection as my chainsaw earmuffs I could do without plugs and could happily have MP3 speakers etc inside them.

I can't think of any logical reason it couldn't be done - can you?

I personally like to hear what's going on but did try some earplugs once when embarking on a South Island tour. They lasted about an hour and my other half took hers out as well, moaning that she couldn't hear her engine, a 1200 Sporty with a Harris. We did about 3,500k's that trip and didn't once feel that our ears were likely to be damaged; full-face helmet on and nack-scarf up over the ears does the trick for us. I would imagine a helmet with an ear-muff-level ear protection would make you look like Princess Leah from Star Wars. It probably wouldn't sell very well.

[scracha]

magine a helmet with an ear-muff-level ear protection would make you look like Princess Leah from Star Wars. It probably wouldn't sell very well.

Oh I dunno. Never mind a Simpson Bandit helmet, I want a stormtrooper style lid and I'd quite happily buy the missus a Princess Leah one.

[NighthawkNZ]

Whilst working with my chainsaw the other day wearing my chainsaw helmet which includes a set of good earmuffs I got to thinking - why doesn't some helmet manufacturer design a helmet where the part over your ears effectively functions like a good earmuff?

I get sick of mucking around with earplugs (but I always wear them except on very short trips) but if the helmet had a similar ear covering and sound protection as my chainsaw earmuffs I could do without plugs and could happily have MP3 speakers etc inside them.

I can't think of any logical reason it couldn't be done - can you?

Armed forces do have something similar... the pilot helemts do have a earmuff protection (which reduce the noise of the choppers, and uncompress jet fighter)....as well as comms etc... it wouldn't be to hard to adapt to a civilian use...

But... and there is always a but, these helmets are specially made to fit the pilot a custom fit...

[bmz2]

schuberth helmets (rated the quietest helmet money can buy) have a funky design that squeezes into your ears once it on.

it is the best helmet i have ever owned

[scumdog]

Whilst working with my chainsaw the other day wearing my chainsaw helmet which includes a set of good earmuffs I got to thinking - why doesn't some helmet manufacturer design a helmet where the part over your ears effectively functions like a good earmuff?

I get sick of mucking around with earplugs (but I always wear them except on very short trips) but if the helmet had a similar ear covering and sound protection as my chainsaw earmuffs I could do without plugs and could happily have MP3 speakers etc inside them.

I can't think of any logical reason it couldn't be done - can you?




Mehh, try getting a set of ear-muffs off over your ear-ring/studs.

Gimme ear-plugs.

Of course you traditional hay-seeds may not see it that way...:whistle:

[laRIKin]

When we wear our intercom's the ear speakers.
Which can be put in and taken our easily have a good seal around the ears and all most work as earmuffs.
As they cut down the engine and wind noise quite a bit.

[NZsarge]

The quieter the helmet, the less you have to turn your headphones up. :laugh:

Quiet is the key, at the moment my Arai is a smidge to noisey to put up with sounds for too long, thats why i'm keen to get my mits on some of these "Plugz for Lugz" sound equiped ear plugs so I don't have to play the music too loud and risk hearing damage.

[oldrider]

Whilst working with my chainsaw the other day wearing my chainsaw helmet which includes a set of good earmuffs I got to thinking - why doesn't some helmet manufacturer design a helmet where the part over your ears effectively functions like a good earmuff?

I get sick of mucking around with earplugs (but I always wear them except on very short trips) but if the helmet had a similar ear covering and sound protection as my chainsaw earmuffs I could do without plugs and could happily have MP3 speakers etc inside them.

I can't think of any logical reason it couldn't be done - can you?

You won't need ear protection when you get your Tiger, soooo quiet!

Why don't you just put your chainsaw muffs on over your helmet. :lol: Cheers John.

[Usarka]

Interestingly if you put earmuffs on the outside of your helmet it makes it a lot quiter. something to do with how it compresses the helmet and removes the "space" inside which is what causes the noise. Try it.

[xwhatsit]

Quiet is the key, at the moment my Arai is a smidge to noisey to put up with sounds for too long, thats why i'm keen to get my mits on some of these "Plugz for Lugz" sound equiped ear plugs so I don't have to play the music too loud and risk hearing damage.

I don't want to shit on the Plugz for Lugz guy, as it's nice that Kiwis are trying their hand at things like this, but honestly, go and pick up a pair of good canalphones/IEM (in-ear monitors). Like in the link in my previous post for the EP-630s; they were less than $50, and will shit all over the Plugz for Lugz in terms of audio quality. Pretty much the best audio quality you can buy for under $100. Noise insulation won't be quite as good as the Plugz for Lugz, but certainly low enough that I can have the volume on my iPod at less than a quarter and still hear Paul Chambers crystal clear playing a parallel 5th in All Blues.

Other good canalphones are Sennheiser's CX300s, Panasonic's RP-HJE50s, or if you have the money, anything made by Shure or Etymotics.

[NZsarge]

I don't want to shit on the Plugz for Lugz guy, as it's nice that Kiwis are trying their hand at things like this, but honestly, go and pick up a pair of good canalphones/IEM (in-ear monitors). Like in the link in my previous post for the EP-630s; they were less than $50, and will shit all over the Plugz for Lugz in terms of audio quality. Pretty much the best audio quality you can buy for under $100. Noise insulation won't be quite as good as the Plugz for Lugz, but certainly low enough that I can have the volume on my iPod at less than a quarter and still hear Paul Chambers crystal clear playing a parallel 5th in All Blues.

Other good canalphones are Sennheiser's CX300s, Panasonic's RP-HJE50s, or if you have the money, anything made by Shure or Etymotics.

Ok, i'll go have a look-see, cheers.

[Reckless]

I tried some ear plugs bloody hated them. Mind you I've always had expensive helmets that fitted properly. Tried the mp3 thing as well hated that to. When I ride I like to hear the bike as someone mentioned above. I reckon the difference is the quality of helmet. My last 2 (over 10 years) Cost about a grand each, Shoei and Shark. They fit around the ears (automatic ear mufflers) and the wind noise is almost nil. So they are well enough designed not the have to quieten down bad visor or air noise with ear plugs, I couldn't stand not hearing anything at all. And is it a safety issue bearing in mind you are taking away one of the senses that should be available, especially if something may be going wrong with the bike itself!

Each to his own though!

[Ruralman]

Me? If I'm going on a long open-road ride by myself (riding around town I need my ears as much as possible), I wear my EP-630 (http://www.nzoczone.com/product_info.php?cPath=71&products_id=1418) canalphones, which not only isolate one hell of a lot of noise, but produce some very reasonable sound considering the price.

Thanks for that link - if you turn off the music how well do they eliminate the windnoise? I often have trouble with plugs coming out a bit on a long ride (and yes I do know the correct procedure for putting them in), have you had the same with these things? They certainly look like good buying IF they do the job.

My helmet is a flip front which probably tend to be a bit noisier than a fixed front helmet as well.

[Ruralman]

Interestingly if you put earmuffs on the outside of your helmet it makes it a lot quiter. something to do with how it compresses the helmet and removes the "space" inside which is what causes the noise. Try it.

You have got to be taking the piss.................


You won't need ear protection when you get your Tiger, soooo quiet!

:lol: Cheers John.

Thats the trouble with pussy's,they lull you into a false sense of security and then if you don't use protection you get long term trouble!!!

[Plugz 4 Lugz]

......... you get what you pay for. Each to their own choice on quality and reliable comfort. We can't comment on your alternative suggestions as we haven't tried those personally, but feedback and recommendations to date from hundreds who have bought our wired sets has been positive and confirm our own personal use of our sets. Cheers Sue


I don't want to shit on the Plugz for Lugz guy, as it's nice that Kiwis are trying their hand at things like this, but honestly, go and pick up a pair of good canalphones/IEM (in-ear monitors). Like in the link in my previous post for the EP-630s; they were less than $50, and will shit all over the Plugz for Lugz in terms of audio quality. Pretty much the best audio quality you can buy for under $100. Noise insulation won't be quite as good as the Plugz for Lugz, but certainly low enough that I can have the volume on my iPod at less than a quarter and still hear Paul Chambers crystal clear playing a parallel 5th in All Blues.

Other good canalphones are Sennheiser's CX300s, Panasonic's RP-HJE50s, or if you have the money, anything made by Shure or Etymotics.

[mbazza]

I've said it once and I'll sy it again! I love my 'Ear Moulds', music turned down so low, still hear car horns, sirens etc. Know what you mean, why cant's all this and quiet stuff be built into a reasonable priced helmet?

[Plugz 4 Lugz]

These 'buds' are possibly fine for some riders but with our experience of making the personal molded earplugs, ears are vastly different in size and many people can't seat these buds comfortably for any length of time, in or out of a helmet. Custom molded earplugs form a skin-to-skin fit with no 'rubbing' discomfort. (Thousands of riders across Australasia can't be wrong recommending them for comfort).

Thanks for that link - if you turn off the music how well do they eliminate the windnoise? I often have trouble with plugs coming out a bit on a long ride (and yes I do know the correct procedure for putting them in), have you had the same with these things? They certainly look like good buying IF they do the job.

My helmet is a flip front which probably tend to be a bit noisier than a fixed front helmet as well.

[Plugz 4 Lugz]

...... cheers for the confirmation on behalf of all satisfied riders to date. Cheers Sue

I've said it once and I'll sy it again! I love my 'Ear Moulds', music turned down so low, still hear car horns, sirens etc. Know what you mean, why cant's all this and quiet stuff be built into a reasonable priced helmet?

[smoky]

I don't get it at all - why do you want quite?
I like the sound of my bike, even open the visor a little to hear it better.
Am I weird or something.

[Reckless]

I don't get it at all - why do you want quite?
I like the sound of my bike, even open the visor a little to hear it better.
Am I weird or something.

Right on buddy!:clap:

Makes me weird as well.

[Plugz 4 Lugz]

We've had riders say they can actually hear their bikes better since the plugs cut out all the wind noise. One rider even identified the whereabouts of something wrong in his motor that he couldn't 'put his finger on' to have fixed beforehand. The earplugs cut out wind noise, not make you deaf.
I don't get it at all - why do you want quite?
I like the sound of my bike, even open the visor a little to hear it better.
Am I weird or something.

[smoky]

We've had riders say they can actually hear their bikes better since the plugs cut out all the wind noise. One rider even identified the whereabouts of something wrong in his motor that he couldn't 'put his finger on' to have fixed beforehand.

They sound like some pretty freaky ear plugs man, or pretty rattly motors

I've heard the expression 'machanic in a can' before, but .... in an earplug!

[vifferman]

I don't get it at all - why do you want quite?
I like the sound of my bike, even open the visor a little to hear it better.
Am I weird or something.
It's not too do with wanting "quite" [sic]. The wind noise can be very loud, especially if your bike has a windscreen as this accelerates air past your helmet. I had tinnitus in my ears twice (lasted several months) and have reduced hearing in my ears after riding without plugs on long trips (Hamilton to Chch and Chch to Tauranga).

Most of the wind noise is from the airflow around the bottom of the helmet and the neck of your jacket, but on some helmets there is whistling from the vents and/or visor. A snug (or tight!) fitting helmet will cut out more noise, and you can get accessories that help (like Shoei's 'whisper strip"), but a pair of earplugs is still the cheapest and most effective form of protection (apart from travelling at less than 80km/h...)

[Plugz 4 Lugz]

........ I rest my case:) Tight helmets give you headaches!!?!?! I'm glad you are looking after your hearing. Do you wear our custom made ones?

It's not too do with wanting "quite" [sic]. The wind noise can be very loud, especially if your bike has a windscreen as this accelerates air past your helmet. I had tinnitus in my ears twice (lasted several months) and have reduced hearing in my ears after riding without plugs on long trips (Hamilton to Chch and Chch to Tauranga).

Most of the wind noise is from the airflow around the bottom of the helmet and the neck of your jacket, but on some helmets there is whistling from the vents and/or visor. A snug (or tight!) fitting helmet will cut out more noise, and you can get accessories that help (like Shoei's 'whisper strip"), but a pair of earplugs is still the cheapest and most effective form of protection (apart from travelling at less than 80km/h...)