Do you wear earplugs?

ElliorR

ElliorR

ElliorR

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After a bit of a discussion on another forum I was wondering if people wear earplugs whilst riding?

I do if I am leaving town and go above 30. I know too much about noise levels and hearing loss and also know how tiring noise can be when exposed for any length of time. I'm not someone who thinks it should be a legal requirement, freedom of choice and all that, but I do believe people should know the facts so they can make an informed choice.

Someone on the other forum said "I like to hear my engine thank you very much" but at 70mph the wind noise will really reduce any engine sound you can hear and if the worse happens and he lost his hearing it wouldn't just be his engine he could no longer hear.

As I said, freedom of choice.
 
With earplugs in you can hear the engine just fine (even better at speed than without them actually), and I have a working brain so I always wear earplugs.

Your hearing is too precious to risk when you can easily, cheaply and without any hassle prevent losing it.
 
I do all of the time, most rides involve use of a motorway and with a flip front helmet not using earplugs is awful.
I just use disposable ones (3M 1100s), cheap, efficient and comfortable.
 
I think it can be a generational thing as the forum I had this discussion on has most riders over 51 and a lot over 60. Saying that I'm 47 but have been heavily involved in H&S in the workplace for years so have the information I need to make the best decision for me. Good to see you lot see it the way you do.
 
I don't. I tried, but i didn't like how quiet it was. I might try some different plugs that are less efficient but my helmet stops a lot of the noise, never really found it a problem.
 
I just moulded a pair for myself last night, not that I need them right now as I have no bike :(

I only bought them as the Kawasaki's exhaust got on my nerves but really I only ride in the city so it didn't seem like a necessity.
 
Yep, the only time I ever don't is if I just nipping round the corner in town. Any other time I wear them, too loud otherwise - wind/exhasut noise. And to anyone who says you can't hear sirens cars etc with earplugs, couldn't be more wrong.

And I'd like to keep my hearing, thanks :p
 
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When riding around town, filtering through traffic jams, with 3 sets of traffic lights on every roundabout, I tend not to bother. But if I know I'm going anywhere near the national speed limit, then I do.
 
I used to but they would sometimes fall out,and I enjoy hearing my exhaust note and not a muffled mumble

Only pansies and men who moisturise wear earplugs
 
Round town I'd say it was around 70db in my helmet but above that, and most certainly at NSL speeds I know it's way over the point your hearing starts to get damaged with exposure, 85db.

Of course a good helmet, chin cover thing and well directed air flow can reduce the sound so hopefully those who don't wear earplugs have the sound levels at a level, or aren't exposed long enough at high levels, that won't cause serious/permanent damage.
 
gcaster said:
Just need to look for the plugs with a high SNR so they only block the noise and not wanted sound.
Click to expand...

I use moldex spark plugs, 35 db NNR I think they are.

I have no issues hearing sirens from police/ambulances etc. well before I can see them, less than £3 for a pack of 20, each pair lasts me a week before they start losing their spring so that's 6 months worth.
 
wazza300 said:
I used to but they would sometimes fall out,and I enjoy hearing my exhaust note and not a muffled mumble

Only pansies and men who moisturise wear earplugs
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Hate to say but if they were falling out they weren't in properly, and probably weren't doing their job ;)

Mine have arouns 1.5-2cm inside my ear canal, if I look straight on in a mirror I can see them.
 
Why do you wear them though? Simply get a quieter pipe or wear a thick necktube up over your ears

Just as good imo

Don't you like to hear your bikes exhaust note?
 
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