Earplugs - do I need to bother?

If you only commute at <30mph and have a standard exhaust you probably don't need earplugs however if you ride any faster or have a noisy exhaust then I'd definitely recommend them.

I've tried dozens of types and tend to use the foam ones when I'm doing a long journey as they drown out the most noise but I use the rubber ones for shorter trips as they're quicker to insert and remove as well as allowing a bit more noise through.
 
Rarely ride without them, but when I don't wear them after a ride that does a fair bit of 60+, I can certainly notice a different sensation with my hearing...

I'd say ride with them, give them at least a good few weeks to grow on you - as it really doesn't dull your senses on the bike; in fact you hear everything you normally would - just with the high pitched (dangerous) noise dulled.

:)
 
Scort said:
Rarely ride without them, but when I don't wear them after a ride that does a fair bit of 60+, I can certainly notice a different sensation with my hearing...

I'd say ride with them, give them at least a good few weeks to grow on you - as it really doesn't dull your senses on the bike; in fact you hear everything you normally would - just with the high pitched (dangerous) noise dulled.
Click to expand...

that's my take on it also


Posted from Overclockers.co.uk App for Android
 
I tried this for the first time last weekend but ended up taking them out as I felt like I was missing something.
I liked the tranquility inside the usually noisy (windy) helmet but felt I had to sacrifice my awareness...bit of a trade off but awareness wins for me.
As someone said earlier...they numb your senses.
I might try to get some with a lower density so I can hear the other traffic because I like (find it necessary) to listen to the other road users and know where they are without the need to look.
 
I think saying "it's fine, it doesn't damage hearing" is a bit like saying "it's fine...a goose is a type of fish". Although a goose might get a bit wet and float about, he still doesn't have a swim bladder.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC539364/
is a nice start, followed by a good summing up:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7561464
Some more words:
http://www.cieh.org/jehr/hearing_loss_motorcyclists.html
and child friendly explanation:
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heal...ngology/noise-induced_hearing_loss_85,P00458/

I'm sure I could find almost as many articles stating a goose isn't a fish, but I'm open to valid arguments as opposed to blanket completely anecdotal evidence.

When I first tried earplugs I was on a work-sponsored riding... evaluation, and it did feel rather alien at first, so much so that I took them out after lunch - though the guy said I was doing fine anyway. Thereafter I realised I want to hear... high pitch screaming and other such noises when I'm older, so got a set of moulded ones. (with earphones in them, so I can go all-over deaf)
 
Sandycheeks said:
I tried this for the first time last weekend but ended up taking them out as I felt like I was missing something.
I liked the tranquility inside the usually noisy (windy) helmet but felt I had to sacrifice my awareness...bit of a trade off but awareness wins for me.
As someone said earlier...they numb your senses.
Click to expand...

No they don't, this is an illusion. It a very weird feeling when you first start using them, but after a few hours you completely get used to it and you become more aware of potential bad noises rather than less.

It's your hearing however, so don't let overwhelming evidence of long term hearing damage stop you.
 
Last edited:
Any prospect of hearing damage terrifies me. I already say 'pardon' in conversations most than other people seem to, though that might be provincial accents confusing my brain. Kidding.
 
If I don't wear them, the ride is now uncomfortable.. Too noisy and harsh..

Top tip..I just buy a bag load, mark a red dot on 50% of them.. So that i can use them a few times before discarding. The dot is so i always use the same ear for that particular plug. I guess it 'may' reduce an ear infection, or at least the spread of one if one ear happens to have one.
 
thedoc46 said:
If I don't wear them, the ride is now uncomfortable.. Too noisy and harsh..

Top tip..I just buy a bag load, mark a red dot on 50% of them.. So that i can use them a few times before discarding. The dot is so i always use the same ear for that particular plug. I guess it 'may' reduce an ear infection, or at least the spread of one if one ear happens to have one.
Click to expand...

With you there on the first paragraph. First time riding without after a while makes me think twice before flying off at the National Speed Limit sign!
 
Kreeeee said:
I got a bag of the "20 Pairs of Moldex Spark 7800 Ear Plugs" for £2.89 delivered from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004KIRO3Y/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You can wash them in warm water to restore them and I've only gone through 1 pair so far, using them for about 6 hours a week on the bike and every night when I sleep.
Click to expand...

Same as I use, my 20 pairs have lasted from end of April until now, still got 3 or 4 pairs left. They last me about a week per pair before they start to lose their spring and don't expand after being compressed, that's 1.5hrs per day, 5days per week at the minimum.
 
TallPaul_S said:
Same as I use, my 20 pairs have lasted from end of April until now, still got 3 or 4 pairs left. They last me about a week per pair before they start to lose their spring and don't expand after being compressed, that's 1.5hrs per day, 5days per week at the minimum.
Click to expand...

Worth ordering? I've got some fancy moulded ones, but they're not always where my bike is as I use them for other stuff.
 
TallPaul_S said:
Same as I use, my 20 pairs have lasted from end of April until now, still got 3 or 4 pairs left. They last me about a week per pair before they start to lose their spring and don't expand after being compressed, that's 1.5hrs per day, 5days per week at the minimum.
Click to expand...

You tried soaking them in warm water and letting dry out for 2 days? It restores them really well for me.
 
Ordered some :)

As for plugs dulling your senses - think back to sticking a lid on for the first time, with that letterbox-esq view it gave you; pretty sure that would have made your senses dull too... but we all tuned in given time.

I found that ear plugs had the opposite affect for me - being robbed (initial thought) of hearing everything, I looked around more; head on a swivel style, and that's no bad thing! So plugs for me at least, have given me two benefits - loss of dangerous noise frequency and heightened awareness.

Regarding getting the perfect fit, I'd recommend getting shaped ones - you can compress the narrow end between your thumb and forefinger then, I give mine a lick, then use my opposite hand to pull my earlobe down. When pushing them in, do so quickly (they'll expand otherwise) and push them in just far enough to be level with your outer ear - so the lid going on won't unsettle them - then just hold your finger on the tip as they expand... takes seconds :D

An added benefit to wearing them - of you're a militant biker type, who begrudges taking your lid off the fill up - you can get the cashier back, by asking her to speak up as you're hard of hearing; biker 1 moaning cow 0!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom