Ear Plugs?

[placidfemme]

I've never worn ear plugs... I never even considered it... But then I just commute a short distance (only 15 minute ride at the most) to work and back... but it's something I'll now consider when going on longer rides...

[Blackbird]

and always wear ear plugs. There was a test in Performance Bikes magazine a couple of years ago and even the very best helmets exceeded the dBA rating for a continuous work environment. The average person can be exposed to a sound source producing 90 dBA for a maximum of 8 hours. If the sound level is 100 dBA, then the maximum exposure is 2 hours. An unprotected ear can be exposed to 115 dBA for a maximum of only 15 minutes a day. Your ears should not be directly exposed for any length of time to sounds greater than 115 dBA. For every 5 dB increase above 90 dBA, the permissible exposure time is reduced by half. For example, if you rode a bike with a 95 dBA wind noise, you would be risking a hearing loss after 4 hours of exposure. (and from memory, even the best helmet is >90 dBA at open road speeds.

I don't know if anyone has a contact email but there's a husband and wife team (Taranaki I think) who make custom moulded reusable ones for about $50 a pair. They used to turn up at motorsport events.

[placidfemme]

and always wear ear plugs. There was a test in Performance Bikes magazine a couple of years ago and even the very best helmets exceeded the dBA rating for a continuous work environment. The average person can be exposed to a sound source producing 90 dBA for a maximum of 8 hours. If the sound level is 100 dBA, then the maximum exposure is 2 hours. An unprotected ear can be exposed to 115 dBA for a maximum of only 15 minutes a day. Your ears should not be directly exposed for any length of time to sounds greater than 115 dBA. For every 5 dB increase above 90 dBA, the permissible exposure time is reduced by half. For example, if you rode a bike with a 95 dBA wind noise, you would be risking a hearing loss after 4 hours of exposure. (and from memory, even the best helmet is >90 dBA at open road speeds.

I don't know if anyone has a contact email but there's a husband and wife team (Taranaki I think) who make custom moulded reusable ones for about $50 a pair. They used to turn up at motorsport events.

Awesome information... Now... I didn't know any of that...

*makes a mental note to buy some ear plugs*

Where can I buy ear plugs (the cheap kind)

[Pwalo]

I always wear my ear plugs. I only started it when I started riding again after the obligatory marriage, kids, mortgagae break but now I can't stand riding without my ear plugs in. I don't have any trouble hearing sirens, brakes etc, and it sure cuts out the wind noise, which I find pretty tiring after a while.

Apparently it also keeps you a lot warmer. Sounds weird but if you do a quick experiment and stand outside on a cold day, with and without wearing ear plugs, it does seem to work.

[bungbung]

it sure cuts out the wind noise, which I find pretty tiring after a while.

Putting the potential hearing damage to one side, as Pwalo and wkid point out, the wind roar is fatiguing after a while. Those of you who have not tried ear plugs yet should do so.

I couldn't believe the difference they make.

[Big Dave]

Where can I buy ear plugs (the cheap kind)

The 'Safety Shop' are cheapest I've found, also Bunnings Warehouse, most Hardware stores and bike shops.

[placidfemme]

The 'Safety Shop' are cheapest I've found, also Bunnings Warehouse, most Hardware stores and bike shops.

thank you *will get some and try them out*

[Lou Girardin]

I've been using the Alpine plugs for a while now, they are expensive ($49.00) but very good. They also last a long time if you look after them. ( A tip, cats think they're great toys). They come with 2 attenuaters so you can vary the amount of sound you hear. They also cut the frequencies where wind noise is most common, but let you hear the good sounds.
I bought a set for my wife because she complained that the foam ones spoilt the sound of her Ipod, these are much better.

[Blackbird]

Fatigue is a good point. It really makes a huge difference, even on a moderate distance.

Placidfemme: Suggest you try a range of plugs first to see what brand you're most comfortable with as they vary a fair bit. When you've settled on something, then you can buy a big box from a safety shop as Big Dave said. Protector Safety are another national safety chain.

Geoff

[jimdaworm]

Thats for all your great replies! I thought it made sense but wasn´t sure if there were any reasons not to wear them. I am sure I will still hear everthing I need to though my hjc helmet... and maby a little less of my 2 stroke Rg!!!

[Big Dave]

I've been using the Alpine plugs for a while now, they are expensive ($49.00) but very good.

Really? I'll revist the set Tony gave me then. I thought they were a bit small for my economy size bung holes, but i've changed shape since I last tried them.
Might just wait for the rain to stop - September innit?

[Motu]

I've been using the Alpine plugs for a while now, they are expensive ($49.00) but very good. They also last a long time if you look after them. ( A tip, cats think they're great toys). They come with 2 attenuaters so you can vary the amount of sound you hear. They also cut the frequencies where wind noise is most common, but let you hear the good sounds.
I bought a set for my wife because she complained that the foam ones spoilt the sound of her Ipod, these are much better.

After 30 years of riding,some of that without a helmet,plus the noise from my job,I guess my hearing is pretty well stuffed - if I put my phone to each ear I hear a completely sound,and sound level.So now I try to wear ear plugs,but it makes me feel like I am wearing a 44gal drum full of kapock on my head.I have the Alpine plugs now and they are great,apart from my Nolan helmet issue, I can wear them all day,I don't have to take them out because I can hear people talking,cars etc.I can even hear my phone ringing,that's pretty freaky.

[Beemer]

When I first started riding no one mentioned wearing ear plugs to me so I just didn't bother. I did find my ears would ring after a longish ride, and I also hated that high-pitched whistle from the wind rushing past my helmet. When I met my better half he told me I was mad for not wearing them and said I'd wish I had in years to come when my hearing faded, so I started wearing them. If I am just popping into town (about 8km) I don't always wear them, and when I first got the Goose I liked the sound so much I left them out for a few rides until the novelty wore off! But anything more than about 10kms and I wear them. We bought a box of Elvex ones - blue foam ear plugs - that seem to work really well. I always have trouble getting the left one in position properly, but once it's in, I'm fine.

My problem is I have really good hearing so any noise inside my helmet (the Shoei is much quieter than the Nolan) seems to be magnified, making ear plugs a necessity. And I can only wear them for an hour or so with the Nolan and then I have to take them out or it feels like someone has punched me under the ears!

[Blackbird]

Where are Alpine plugs available from? Are they multi-sized? One of my ear 'oles must have come from the reject bin when God handed them out as I have more trouble getting a plug in the right hand one than the left hand one!

[dhunt]

Yip I always wear earplugs out of town, makes life much more enjoyable and I can concentrate on more important things easier with them in. As well as not getting sore ears after a ride.