Ear plugs.

[BIKEVIDDER]

Use them ? if so.
Foam or rubber.
Good & bad type recommendations please.
If not.
Do you have your hearing checked ?
Long term riders, do you have hearing loss ?
I've used good quality ear plugs since the early 70's & my hearing is ok backed up by hearing tests..
Just wondered about others opinions.
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GROWING OLD DISGRACFULLY

[nickGT]

I keep meaning to pick some up but haven't got around to it yet. I would be interested in hearing the benefits and if there is any negatives to using them.

[Cadbury]

I commute every day at 70mph on the M8 and M74, and whilst it is a little noisy, I have yet to try earplugs. I would be worried about how quiet it would make things. Listening to my engine, other vehicles, shouting pedestrians, horns etc etc all would be surely dampened by earplugs. Same reason I don't listen to music, I wouldn't want to block anything out.

I'd also be interested in other peoples experiences in using them. I suppose I could just buy a pair, and give it a go. Its not like they are expensive.

[New Sarum]

Ear plugs lessen the level noise, they do not completely block it out. If you do an internet search there may be a company offering a box of ear plugs in a variety of designs and compounds, you can then determine what type you prefer.

Some years ago a doctor at Bristol was carrying out research into the effectiveness of ear plugs on preventing hearing loss, specifically in motorcyclists. There was a link to reduced hearing in those not using ear plugs, as there always has been to those exposed to high levels of noise. The problem with hearing loss is that it is insidious, you are frequently unaware as how damaged your hearing has become and sadly there is no cure.

[fatpies]

I use the orange max lite ones. You can use them more than once, in fact when they go all greasy and grey from ear grease you can rinse them off. And keep on using them over and over, but they lose effectiveness over time. When you've been using an old pair for ages and get a new pair they sit snugly.

I use them for skydiving and riding, 30p or 5 packs of £1

They do not mute things as sounds still come through your skull. For example in skydiving, I wear them on the way up as those planes are not exactly well insulated for sound or heat. And a 900shp turbine whining away 3 metres away is loud. I also really hate the flap flap flap of the slider (though I pull it down behind my head these days) again it doesn't mute the sound it just dulls it considerably. So I can still hear the relative wind in freefall.

On bike I can still hear things and people speak but it just dulls the sound a bit same with the wind and the engine. The dulled sound of the engine is compensated by the feeling through the bike. After a while you'll get used to them so much that everything is a bit quieter but you can still hear many things.


The foam ones I think are best, you just roll them and stuff them in, and they should expand to fit your ear canal. They are slightly dangerous for skydives though. Chris (an instructor) had one go way deep into his ear when we went a bit higher than expected, but this was the fault of air traffic control.
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"It's easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It's a lot more difficult to perform one"

[FBSF]

I always use them. Daily in fact.

My hearing isn't what it used to be, mainly down to nightclubs when a young'un and bikes.

I find the Earsoft Neons (yellow) work really well - they take out all the high frequencies without stopping you hearing what's going on around you, they also aren't too bulky like some of the other foam ones. Just make sure they go right into the ear canal, otherwise they won't do a lot.

Not overly expensive either - I get around 5-6 rides out of a pair before they get a bit grubby, and they are around £8 for 50 pairs off of ebay or the like.

[banditjohn]

According to my hearing consultant, it's the wind noise that causes tinnitus not the engine and can. So now I use ear plugs so it doesn't get any worse as I have poor hearing in the mid range or some thing like that along with tinnitus I've only used the foam ones and have found the tapered ones better than the non tapered. the only problem for me is that now I end up with that ringing in my ears unless I use the ipod (and they are not as comfy as the plugs ) So to sum it all up, dont drive a truck with your window open(as thats what they say caused mine) and re route you exhaust to exit by your tank and you'll be happy ever after.

[janner_10]

Pottering around town or to work (3 miles in built up) I dont bother - but long journeys on NSL / Mway - for the benefits you got to be pretty stupid not to.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[nant]

Im deaf in both ears. So it cant get any worse!

[fatpies]

[nant]

[Kickstart]

Hi

I have tried the foam ones and not go on with them. I seem to have an odd shape ear with a large outer ear and a small inner ear, and the foam ones don't stay rolled up long enough to get them into place 99% of the time. When I have got them t work (and some which sat roasting on the parcel shelf of the car for a year expand slowly enough to get into place) they are very good.

I have sound moulded ones which work quite well and are easy to get into place. However they are not as effective as the foam ones.

However my hearing has certainly suffered from years of riding bikes.

[ms51ves3]

I use E.A.R Ultrafit 20s. Christmas tree style plugs. One pair lasts over 6 months and they cost 99p a pair. Couldn't ride without them.

[Cadbury]

Hmm, in that case then i think its time for me to grab a load asap.

Thankfully, i have only been riding at speed for a few weeks (not long passed test), so plenty of time to save my hearing.

Cheers guys

[herulach]

I use Howard Leight Max (orange) used to use Max lite (green) not much of a difference, just go this box cheaper. I buy them from online workwear stores in boxes of 200 for about £15.
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YBR 125>FZS600

[Im-a-Ridah]

[BIKEVIDDER]

Did you know Police bike riders have their ears checked & when hearing is affected they are off the bikes onto other duties.
Hearing loss is so gradual It's not noticed untill It's permanently lost or tinnitus has started.
I agree with the majority of users that foam plugs work best but I only reuse once.
I found that some types cause the tampon syndrome, dam painful & enough to put you off so if you ear canal swells up (closes up) & your ear becomes painful don't use plugs for a while then try something different.
The best ones for me are the original E.A.R. Classics & Superfit 33's.
The Superfit 36's are a little better but longer, good for work but not so on the bike.
At work the noise is 120db's + & I do 10hr shifts so hearing protection is a subject I'm keen to keep up to date with.
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GROWING OLD DISGRACFULLY

[JoeDougieDoug...]

[salty21]

earplugs my arse, i've been a builder for 12 years and a biker for 6. I've never used earplugs on site or on the bike and i can hear a pin drop from a hundred paces
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04 NSR 125(sold) ---- 03 CBR 600rr(sold) ----90 pan euro ST1100 '' ----02 CG 125
94 CB400 Super Four ---- 2000 VTR SP1 (sold) ---- 08 ninja p8f(sold, meh) ----05 CBR600rr

[Kickstart]

[Dazbo666]

I have some disposable foam plugs, but only used them very occasionally on longer trips.
I also have some reusable unes like these that I have good intentions of using on motorway trips.... but to be honest I don't use them anywhere near as much as I should.

I've occasionally noticed a white noise sound after a long trip, but it clears after a short time, and I've not noticed any deterioration in my hearing. And no I haven't had a hearing test for some years
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1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[crackfinder]

I use the foam ones all the time, they don't detract from traffic noise/exhaust or engine noise that much, you can still hear people if they raise their voice...they just cut enough noise to protect your hearing from the wind noise

oh and +1 for the properly fitting lid.....this week i've been using my old cheap lid and it's loose and very noisy compared to my more expensive and better fitting one.
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Yamaha FZS600 Fazer (gone but not forgotten). Current - Kawasaki ZX6R A1P

[Im-a-Ridah]

[totalllama82]

I use these when riding https://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/home_en.nsf/root/private_headphones_classic-line_cxseries_502737

Seems to do the job of the earplugs without the silent boredom
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Gone: Haotian HT125-8 / Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat / Kawasaki ZX9R C2
Current: Kawasaki ZZR 1400 A7F

[Maruchino]

Howard Leight Laser Lite. Can't ride without em.

https://www.safetydirect.co.uk/shop/images/products/eplaserlite.jpg