Earplugs - do I need to bother?

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Caporegime
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Hi all

I ride my Yamaha YBR125 with standard exhaust about 25 mins each way to work every day. I've started using some cotton wax earplugs, which are very comfy, but I'm not that bothered by the noise from the engine and the wind, only the potential to damage my hearing. Therefore I'm wondering if I need to faff around with earplugs or if it's overkill. It's just an extra thing to have to do when I leave or get to work...lazy I know, but I'm all about efficiency :p.

My helmet is an HJC IS-17 and whilst it seems quiet enough, it's the only helmet I've owned so I've nothing to compare it to.

I go on back country lanes and only hit 60mph a handful of times on the journey (bike won't go any faster anyway, with 90Kg of me sitting on it!).

So my question - in my circumstances, would you bother? I don't get tired or fed up of the wind noise, I'm purely concerned with aural safety.

Cheers.
 
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If you don't want to damage your hearing then the best option is to wear the plugs. Wind noise in a helmet is high at 60+ and not worth the risk of damaging your hearing if that concerns you.

I mostly do wear them, sometimes I forget, but as with all protective equipment, bar the helmet, it's your choice.
 
Personally I would, as even lower db noise can cause problems over time especially everyday.

Ear plugs are a pain but for the sake of a few extra mins to not causing permanent damage I think its worth the time
 
It's not just volume that does damage but continued exposure.

The problem with hearing damage and loss is that you don't notice it deteriorating, and by the time you do notice some hearing loss it's far too late to do anything.

For the sake of a few seconds, wear the plugs.
 
ive only worn them for a few months,i prefer to hear the exhaust note and the wind tbh

so id say no,your hearing wont suffer,and that's with loud illegal can
 
I generally wear them on the commute - just makes riding more relaxing, and I can hear the exhaust just as well, as the plugs filter out the wind noise more than anything
 
wazza300 said:
ive only worn them for a few months,i prefer to hear the exhaust note and the wind tbh

so id say no,your hearing wont suffer,and that's with loud illegal can
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It's not engine or exhaust noise that does the damage, but wind noise.

Also saying your hearing won't suffer is simply wrong.

http://scitation.aip.org/content/asa/journal/poma/12/1/10.1121/1.3602104

^ Academic journal there

Further information here
http://consciousvibes.com/health/earplugs.html

There are too many credible sources of information that support hearing damage, to say that hearing won't suffer is bad advice to be giving. It's your choice whether you choose to wear them or not, but to offer dangerous advice is irresponsible.
 
i havnt suffered in 19 years,but wear them if you prefer

i just find it numbs my senses/awareness if i wear them
 
wazza300 said:
i havnt suffered in 19 years,but wear them if you prefer

i just find it numbs my senses/awareness if i wear them
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You believe you haven't suffered. See if you can get a hearing test done, and see how your hearing compares to a non-rider and you will be surprised.

Little things can be indicators, but generally as individuals we don't notice hearing loss.
 
ShakenNstirred said:
I use them
I need to look after my hearing or i'll lose my job, work test my hearing every 2 years.
get my ear plugs free from work so it costs me nothing.
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Pilot?

The last hearing test I did was for the initial class 1 medical for CAA, and hearing tests are a massively strange thing to experience, where you can feel like you're hearing something, but can't actually hear it.

Very peculiar.
 
Alienfish360 said:
Pilot?

The last hearing test I did was for the initial class 1 medical for CAA, and hearing tests are a massively strange thing to experience, where you can feel like you're hearing something, but can't actually hear it.

Very peculiar.
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I wish lol
not a pilot but do work around planes all night loading cargo planes for DHL at EMA airport.
yeah its a strange feeling sitting in the sound booth listening for the sound so you can hit the button lol
 
My hearing is quite bad tbh, I can barely hear if I get off a bike after 2-3 hours of riding.
I'd usually wear headphones or earplugs if I were going on rides longer than 30mins.

I don't feel as aware with earplugs/headphones in though, so subconsciously ride a bit slower/passive than usual :D

Neck tube helps a lot too, next time you're riding, cover your chin/lower helmet/neck with your arm and you'll see!
 
Archeum said:
My hearing is quite bad tbh, I can barely hear if I get off a bike after 2-3 hours of riding.
I'd usually wear headphones or earplugs if I were going on rides longer than 30mins.

I don't feel as aware with earplugs/headphones in though, so subconsciously ride a bit slower/passive than usual :D

Neck tube helps a lot too, next time you're riding, cover your chin/lower helmet/neck with your arm and you'll see!
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I have a strip of velcro around the base of my helmet for velcroing a necktube over it so I can seal the helmet too ;)
 
Its all about pressure on the inner ear drum. Even at 30mph it`s substantial enough to cause long term damage. The DB level is second. (Italy and Spain have problems with deafness, due to open faced scooter helmets and marble floors:) )

Simple answer is its something you can prevent happening so why wouldnt you do it ?
 
SPG said:
Simple answer is its something you can prevent happening so why wouldnt you do it ?
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Totally agree.


Guys - please wear earplugs whilst riding. As much as I love the sound of my RSV Mille's twin Renegades at full chat :D , I simply wouldn't ride without earplugs now.

I rode bikes for approx 15 years without bothering to wear plugs. Eventually my m8 persuaded me to use them on a ride out one day and I actually thought they were pretty ok. I wish I had done so sooner. I too have my hearing checked every three years for my job (fire and rescue service) and if my hearing ability drops below a certain level I risk my future employment. As it stands at the age of 43 I now have serious Tinnitus and every year my hearing appears to deteriorate. I can't say for sure it was solely down to riding for all those years without wearing ear plugs but it certainly cannot have helped.

So if you are just beginning your riding career or even if you have been on bikes for a good while, please consider changing your attitude and wearing plugs. Don't end up like me, an auld goat who regularly has to ask people to repeat themselves during conversations! :D
 
your losing part of the thrill of riding though with earplugs,it just cuts most of the bikes noise out

my advise would be wear them if you want to but its not essential,hasn't affected my hearing at all,i would advise on a neck tube though,much warmer and less drafty under the helmet

EDIT: they can be annoying aswell when one pops out as your riding on a busy road

when your old and decrepit you can always get a hearing aid :D
 
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