Ear Plugs? Opinions please...

**madboy** · 1st January 2006, 20:46

I'm thinking about getting ear plugs. The stock pipe on the 636 is hardly noisy, but the wind noise at, umm, sustained "highway" speeds can't be good for my hearing. I run an earpiece from the scanner (like the bouncer style ones) that sits over the ear rather than in it, so I figure if I turn the scanner up I'll still be able to hear over the plugs. Yes/no?

So if you wouldn't mind sharing your opinions on ear plugs thanks.

**Skyryder** · 1st January 2006, 20:55

I use them on long rides. Just the cheep soft rubber typ. Can't see any problem with detector devices.

Skyryder

**thealmightytaco** · 1st January 2006, 21:01

I use them for drumming all the time, and was thinking of doing the same thing after I noticed the ringing after some of my few highway rides.

I use a pair of $20? ones I got from the music shop, the ones with 3 cones. Were old stock at the time though, I think they're about $40-50 new. Work really well for music so I don't see why they wont work on a bike, designed for letting in all frequencies equally ra ra so you everything clear but quieter.
Whereas with $2 foam plugs you get quiter and muffled, and after 10-15 uses they stop expanding properly, but for what they are....
Depends what you prefer really.

Might be a problem with hearing the authorities behind you but you gotta hear them over the wind anyway so surely there can't be any legal problems with it. Where's the coppers at...

**Mental Trousers** · 1st January 2006, 21:10

I've never used earplugs on a bike so I'm quite interested in them as well. Especially those 3 cone ones that taco is talking about. Can't say I've ever had a problem with too much wind noise. I do get some but it never seems to affect me. Main problem is that hearing the induction roar when the flat slides are wide open is addictive so I don't want to mute that at all

**T.W.R** · 1st January 2006, 21:13

only use them on longer rides or on tour etc.
got two different types a pair of industrial E.A.R rubber ones with a joiner cord 93db rated reusable cost $15 roughly. (mainly use these coz of the joiner cord).
second pair are Hoppe's earplugs for shooting slightly higher db rating (so slightly quieter) but have longer tabs so less comfy in the helmet reusable also.

both come in small sealable containers

**terbang** · 1st January 2006, 21:17

I wear them all the time just the cheapo ones that you throw away. I read somewhere a while back that the noise levels inside the average helmet are at a level that could be damaging to your hearing. I must have a reasonable sized pair of lugs as it is only the large size that seem to work for me.

**madboy** · 1st January 2006, 21:20

Originally Posted by thealmightytaco

Might be a problem with hearing the authorities behind you but you gotta hear them over the wind anyway so surely there can't be any legal problems with it. Where's the coppers at...

What do you think the odds are I'm gonna let them get that close that I'll hear the siren anyway?

**Karma** · 1st January 2006, 21:23

Never use earplugs... just have my Minidisc player on instead, that drowns out the noise and makes the commute a little more enjoyable.

**NinjaBoy** · 1st January 2006, 21:29

Use them for all my leisure riding (read long weekend blats). I use the soft foam ones and they still let you hear the induction roar and takes the edge off the wind noise..

Why don't you try one ear plug and the scanner ear piece in the other. I suspect with the ear plug in you won't be able to hear the scanner.

**Zed** · 1st January 2006, 21:33

I take earplugs with me in my pocket whenever I ride, I choose to use them about 2% of the time but *know* that I should be always using them, according to the ear experts anyway! Just don't feel comfortable having them in my ears inside my helmet when I'm riding, and personal comfort is fairly important to me so I don't use them, regardless of whether I go deaf i suppose.

**robnz** · 1st January 2006, 21:38

never used when younger and damaged the nerves in my left ear. now i dont leave home without them. nothing more annoying then being some where quiet and have constant clicking in your ear

**Biff** · 1st January 2006, 22:14

Originally Posted by madboy

I'm thinking about getting ear plugs. The stock pipe on the 636 is hardly noisy, but the wind noise at, umm, sustained "highway" speeds can't be good for my hearing. I run an earpiece from the scanner (like the bouncer style ones) that sits over the ear rather than in it, so I figure if I turn the scanner up I'll still be able to hear over the plugs. Yes/no?

So if you wouldn't mind sharing your opinions on ear plugs thanks.

I use ear plugs, and I've no problem hearing the scanner shit itself.

It depends on the speaker in your ear hanger as to whether you'll get a decent volume level out of it. If it's a Sonic Comms unit - you're sweet.

**Motu** · 1st January 2006, 22:30

I use the Alpine ear plugs,I hate the foam jobs.With the Alpine plugs I can hear my exhaust,cars passing,sirens,people talking to me....and even my phone in my jacket - but they kill the wind noise.

**sugilite:Me** · 1st January 2006, 22:32

If I ride distance, I use em. I have noticed that for really long rides, I get a lot less fatigued. Wind noise gets quite stressful for the poor body and this saps energy.
I also use them for racing.