I’ve done a lot of riding over the years — and most of it without ear plugs. Throw in a whole bunch of rock concerts from a long time ago, and you have a recipe for aural attenuation (reduced hearing).
Some guys/gals don’t like ear plugs — and I can understand why. It takes more time to get on to the road while you insert them in your ears. When you stop for gas, it’s harder to speak with others, unless you take the plugs out. Ideally, you would then clean your hands before you put new plugs in, so you don’t get anything untoward in your ear canals. And that can slow things down a little more.
Ear plugs have made their way into my road gear over the last few years. Particularly when I’m going on longer rides. The reduced noise just makes the trip more comfortable…up to a point. Perhaps I haven’t tried enough different kinds of ear plugs, but the barrel-foam variety that I use, as well as the re-usable rubbery types that I often wear, create their own fatigue after several hours. Somewhere between 3 and 5 hours, they start to become a nuisance. The good news is that when I take them out after a chunk of riding, and then continue on my merry way, I’m definitely more refreshed than I would have been without them.
There are some riding adjustments I need to make when I’ve got the plugs in. I have noticed that I tend to go faster and I’m guessing it’s because the engine is quieter so it “sounds” like I’m going slower than I really am.
For me, ear plugs just add an additional element of riding safety: I’m more alert for longer periods of time. I’m more comfortable. It’s important to note that ear plugs do not reduce all the noise: I can still hear what’s going on around me. The ambient sound is just softer. It’s not as quiet as driving in a car, but it’s a more pleasant way to spend longer hours in the saddle.
The lessened noise reduces general fatigue by cutting down the strain on my ears. Hopefully, this will help reduce the amount of future persons that will be repeating in my direction “Can You Hear Me Now?” (Or is that just a standard cell phone conversation?)
Thank You forrrr this post ! I have been dragging my feet about getting ear plugs. I know I should, but I haven’t. I’m finally going to do it.
I started wearing ear plugs in 1998 and will seldom ride with out them. My normal yearly ridding is 20,000 miles so I get a lot of exposure at higher noise levels.
I have had 6 or 7 sets of custom fitted ear plugs made by Miracle Ear and just won’t get on the bike with out them.
I also have 3 sets of custom made ear phone sets and they work out just great.
My wife thinks they do little for her so she has elected not to wear them but I can tell that her hearing is not as good today as it was a few years ago.
Adrian
Wind noise is the big culprit while riding, ranging from 90dB at 40 mph to 110 at 100 mph. The average noise level according to studies done by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety is 100 dB. The maximum exposure time to that level before permanent hearing loss begins is .25 hrs.
When I starting riding again, the deep rumble of the pipes and the blast of the wind was all part of the experience. Sadly, the result of that experience was permanent hearing loss as confirmed by hearing tests done at an auditory clinic. I had molded plugs made by the clinic and now wear either them or quality commerial plugs for industry on all rides.
There is no doubt I found the pressure in the ears irritating at times, but after having spoken with riding veterans who suffer from tinnitus or must now wear hearing aids, the minor irritation is well worth it!
Rode for years without earplugs and a lot of my hearing is gone due to that mistake! Thought that earplugs take away from the experience. Well there are lots of tones I can’t even hear anymore because of my ignorance.
Now rare is the occasion I would go anywhere without my earplugs in, not only does it cut out the ride noise, it makes the ride on long trips much more enjoyable! I don’t feel so worn down after a day of riding and no more ringing til the next day and not being able to hear anybody.
If you think earplugs are annoying or unnecessary, wait until you discover how annoying Tinnitus is. If you don’t know what it is, it is a damage induced ringing in your ears, 24/7/365 – for the rest of your life. I wear earplugs on every ride. EVERY ride. And I would NEVER have stereo speakers of headphones inside my helmet.
I wear the Hearos Ultimate Softness Foam Ear Plugs (NRR 32).
I’ve done 300 milers with them in all day and no problems.
Their soft and once inserted right very comfortable.
I entirely agree on the molded ear plugs. I have tinnitis from the wind noise before I started wearing ear plugs. I have the EAR Inc. molded custom molded plugs with the Musicians Filter. It lowers the decibels of noise to a comfortable level and I can still hear conversation. I always keep the soft foam ones around for backup.
I rode a friend’s Honda Shadow 1100 for a total of about 200 miles last fall. He replaced both factory mufflers with straight chrome pipes. I didn’t have any earplugs, but took some extra strength Excedrin for the headache. There’s no excuse for having an engine that loud.
I bit the bullet at the DC M/C show last winter and had the silicone ones extruded into my ears. These are the best things you can do if you ride fast and don’t have (nor want) the full bulk and surround of a fairing. Cost $65, but I’ll do it again if I break the little guys.
I learned the value of ear plugs since I worked on the flightline in the Air Force in the early 80’s which is when I started riding. I’ve worn different types from the foam, to the silicon ones you get at the hardware store in the safety aisle, to the wax that they sell for swimmers.
I recently had some made when I went in for a hearing test recently…….hearing is still good just have tinitus….anyway, a week later I hit the road for a 2600 mile ride and don’t know how I’ve gotten along with the over the counter ones all these years. They certainly made the 500 mile days more pleasurable.
As others have said, the custom ones seem to be the best. I don’t ride without them.
i never thought that noise can create such a fatigue while riding
maybe it because i have never had a ride that long (longest i had was 3hrs with lots of sight seeing and picture taking stops…hehhehehe)
thanks for the advice!!!
I use S&W shooting plugs, fits nicely in the ear canal. I ride a road king with a 124 power plant,
In the high noise environment that I worked in for years and now as an instructor in a noisy environment…it’s automatic to use them. They do take some time to get used to. Once you have… the anti-fatigue benefit is well worth it! I use relatively cheap ones…keep a few on hand in the soft bag on the KLR and replace them as needed. Don’t like it when I DON’T have them in.
Valid points in the article. I used Mack’s pillow soft, which Target sells in a 12pack case that is slim and fits in my tank bag. Short rides don’t warrant the plugs but longer rides are a necessity. Some helmets are quieter than others, some engines produce different noise/vibrations at certain speeds, and some windscreens create more wind noise than others. One other note; decibel ratings do not guarantee a quiet plug. Things to consider first are comfort and getting the right fit. The foam go inside the ear and as mentioned in the article, they become a nuisance. The silicone plugs their pros & cons too. They cover the ear canal and you can obtain a good seal once you fiddle with your ears. Once sealed you really sense it. You still hear but its greatly reduced. Then con? Drop one and its trash…it’ll pick up grit/dirt, now you know why I buy the 12 pack. However, two days of riding with one pair worked just fine, depending on your hygiene and since its never in your ear canal, you have less of a chance of introducing any nasties in your ear.
Highly recommend that every rider try them on a long ride and make their own determination if it makes a difference.
I don’t understand it…With a properly fitting helmet and a motorcycle that is quiet to begin with (I ride a Goldwing) this seems to be a non-issue, at least for me.
I suppose without a windscreen, a quiet silky smooth engine, and dramatically reduced wid noise it must get hard on the ears after a while.
I feel my biggest worry for hearing damage is when I turn the stereo in my helmet headset too loud….
But some songs must be played LOUD!
If you are going to use them….get the molded ones they work the best for the long hauls on the Highways.
You really ought to look into molded ear plugs. It takes a little getting used to inserting them, but once you learn they go in quicker than the foam/rubber ons available. I’ve had molded ones by “Now Hear This” and “Big Ear”, both are an improvement over the others.
I also work in computer rooms that are being coming noisier and noiser every day. The molded ones also double as my computer room noise dampeners also.