Tinnitus :(

[c-m]

I always use ear plugs/protection when on the bike, but noticed that even with 36 SNR dB plugs, or custom moulded plugs, IEMs with 29 dBA isolation, or Motosafe Race plugs, after a days riding I still get a get pretty bad ringing in my ears.

Anyone else have an issue when using plugs?

[MarJay]

I have tinnitus anyway, but I use Max-Lite plugs and have done for years. The Tinnitus was there beforehand, and also is sometimes worse due to blocked ears/infection/allergy. I don't recall having ever taken earplugs out and noticed worse tinnitus though, so on that basis I'd say those earplugs are either not fitted properly, or they are shite.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[xX-Alex-Xx]

I always go for this type of silicone earbuds (both for just noise blocking plugs and earbuds for music). Never have issues either after riding or concerts etc:

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.advancedmp3players.co.uk%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2F15225%2F12962%2F300x300%2Fer20xs-15225.jpg&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=1bbde3700b7179fff03f2897d64fbb8f4a40d1b2363359730ad0d1850db12880&ipo=images
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DILLIGAF

[grr666]

[Polarbear]

I know a lot of people don't like music while they ride but I wonder if a pair of good fitting noise suppression ear buds would be better than plugs?

Of course then you have the audio awareness of what's going on to consider.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[stinkwheel]

Maybe go and see an audiologist?
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[recman]

I've found 3M expanding plugs to be the best. Just pull them out slightly to relieve expansion pressure and get rid of that underwater effect.
These plugs work particularly well in conjunction with the Sena speakers in my lids.

[Pete.]

[MarJay]

[MCN]

Speak to an audiologist.

Specsavers are who I use for custom earplugs. About £80 a pair.

But get your hearing checked out too.

GET YOUR HEARING CHECKED OUT TOO.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[chickenstrip]

[stinkwheel]

[blamski]

[sickpup]

I think most people don't put ear plugs in correctly. They don't insert them in the ear canal, just sort of rest them in the ear which is one half of the problem.
The other is that most peoples helmets are too big for them. A loose helmet lets in more wind noise and has more freedom to move with the wind.

[MCN]

I posted before about ear plugs.
I've been wearing earplugs for donkey's years. I work in a high noise energy industry but always used earplugs.
My hearing tests are usual better than many people in the industry I work in.

I stopped using foam about 20 years ago and have used custom fitted since.
I upgraded to attenuated acrylic about 6 years ago and now find foam pafetic if I am caught short and need to shove foam in my lug holes.

Ear canal shape and size affects the fit of ear plugs too. So some foam won't seal perfectly so their protective qualities can be compromised.
And re-using plugs is never 100% effective as we plugs don't compress as well as dry plugs so fit is not as good.

The dB rating is under prefect conditions when tested so allowance needs to be made.

If you are riding a bike regularly or your job is noisy look at custom plugs.
Much more convenient.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Weisse Schlange]

I have really loud tinnitus after years of bikes and guns, it's fucking sould sapping, knowing you'll never hear silence again.

Get fitted earplugs made or a good, soft foam disposable and use them, every ride.
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Hing Oan

[sickpup]

I'm amazed that so many have tinnitus, did you all wear headphones with the sound turned up high, bad fitting crash helmets or what?

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Not me. I've had it from a very young age. It can be to do with all sorts of things not directly related to hearing - e.g. earwax.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[MCN]

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[Freddyfruitba...]

[recman]

For the past few years I've been in an area of my work with less background noise so I don't use earplugs.
However, there is the odd occasion where I use an air chisel for a repair. Its obscenely loud, particularly when used on a vehicle so on go the big ear defenders.
I couldn't possibly stand the noise without the protection so you can imagine my amazement on one occasion when I'd just finished using the air chisel for a couple of minutes straight only to discover some idiot had wandered over to where I was to see what was going on.
I asked him how he could stand the noise.
You can guess his answer.

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

I’ve just bought my second box of ear plugs in nearly 25 years of riding. 200-pairs of Howard Leight Laser Lites. These will see me out. Without them my ears ring after an hour’s fast riding, and my Dad had factory-induced deafness so I was always aware of the hazard.

Originally I bought a selection pack of different types. Some were too big, too hard, too scratchy, but for me the Laser Lites were perfect. You do need to compress them by rolling between (clean) thumb and forefinger, and I then twist them down into the ear canal before they expand. Ah, but you know this.

I keep them in my jacket pocket and reuse each pair many times before I lose/drop/dirty one and have to break out a new pair. The manufacturer’s would have you believe they’re much shorter lived but I’ve never had a problem.

Oddly the ear plugs emphasise the bike’s bass notes, or maybe they just filter out the higher notes like chain rattles (and the breeze) so bassiness/rortiness is what’s left. Sounds mega. Recently I wondered if the ZX6R’s Remus exhaust needed repacking but the neighbours say my bike is quieter than the other two bikes in the street. I think half of what I’m hearing on board is lovely induction noise.

Also, Arai helmet, sportsbike fairings and screen. The R1 has a very subtle double-bubble MRA screen which was noticeably less noisy/turbulent than the original. The ‘99 ZX6R simply has a slightly larger fairing and screen which is very effective.

[xX-Alex-Xx]