Ear plugs?

[KarateChick]

I actually just tried earplugs (the mass produced roll between your fingers first kind) a couple of days ago for a highway ride. It was SO weird at first cause I could not hear my engine clearly and usually rely to some degree on that to glance at the rpm and shift. It was so odd that I had to take them out. Then I tried some noise-reducing headphones & music on the ride back and that was much better. I for sure would not use earplugs in the city though although they are recommended for highway or extended period riding to save your hearing. I'm sure it'll be fine once I get used to them.

[gxbauman]

these are "ribbed for... some reason" and orange

You sure those were ear plugs?!

[blues2cruise]

I have custom plugs. Costly but comfortble.

[earwig]

I used to wear them when I wore a 1/2 helmet on the highway because the wind annoyed me more than anything... not sure what purpose they really serve with a full-face.

[NCRonB]

Anybody out there wear them regularly? Or is it just a long-trip thing? Is there a certain kind that's preferable for riding (why)? Or would those little cheapy ones that I squinch up and stick in my ear at NASCAR events work?

Like dieziege, only my first few miles were without earplugs. It makes a big difference in comfort for me and I can hear everything I need to just fine.

I used to listen to really loud music with headphones when I was younger (20 years ago), now I have trouble hearing clearly sometimes. I don't know if it's related, but I can't afford to make it worse. I can't buy replacement hearing... yet.

In addition to the 3M orange foam earplugs from Target, I bought a sample pack from some online place. Out of all the plugs I tried, the 3M ones were not the most effective, but were by far the most comfortable for my ears. My biggest complaint is that when warm, they don't stay compressed long enough for me to put them in. Ten seconds in the freezer helps a lot, but that's a pain. As much as I wear them, I'm thinking of just spending the money for custom ones.

[M109R]

33 DB Rating Ear Plugs

I bought a pair at the stealer that were 26 db rating and rubber like flesh color (didn't have to roll) My ears were still ringing after a ride with those.

Went to Walmart today and bought Hearos (Blue) foam roll and put in ear. Weird putting in (must wait a couple minutes for them to expand in the ear canal. These were much better!!!! Could still hear bike noise (engine speed, etc..) and normal conversation (didn't take them out when I went to bar for a snack. 33 db reduction was the highest I could find at Walmart. Plus no ringing ears this time when I was done.

Please wear ear protection when riding!! You will thank yourself 100X over rather than going deaf and not being able to hear (depends on the wife with this one ) I have a friend who blew out his ears shooting over many years and it really sucks for him not being able to hear with constant ringing in his ears and his hearing aids are no comparison to natural normal hearing!!

!!!SAVE YOUR EARS!!!

[Dash Riproc]

+1 to what VTX posted.

I've ridden with earplugs for the last 2000+ miles...I wish I'd begun earlier; a definate plus!

I wear custom fitted plugs issued thru my work (making cans is a noisy business!!). I can still hear everything on the road, but the ringing is not there after a long ride.

My commute to work is 48 miles round trip in Atlanta interstate traffic. Wearing plugs actually makes the ride more enjoyable. My '93 Nighthawk is not the loudest machine on the road, by any means, but at 75mph my Shoei RF 1000 lets is a good bit of wind noise.

They're worth the couple extra seconds of putting them in.

[Mustang]

Agree with everyone promoting earplugs....

After a few riders (of sportbikes who wear full face oddly enough) recommended wearing earplugs the 'convincer' was getting off my bike after a days worth of riding and found I couldn't hear a damn thing!!!

Use the kind that are rolled up to go in and grow inside the ear....as someone said wierdest feling the first time, but can't imagine riding without them...

[M109R]

Here's a great site on my current favorite ear protection:

http://www.hearos.com/products-autoraces.htm

I recommend getting the 32-33 db over the ones in the 20's. My first pair was 26 db and just didn't cut it.

Also, these are ear filters NOT PLUGS, you can still hear everything going on around you (engine, sirens, horns, voices, etc..) but the db level is lowered.

i.e. If you bike puts out 90 db and you put in 33 db reducing ear filters, your bike will sound like 57 db (similar to a spoken conversation.)

SAVE YOUR HEARING WHILE YOU STILL HAVE IT. Hearing loss is gradual and permanent. By the time you figure it out, it's too late.

[VermilionX]

i think im gonna start using ear plugs...

i'll try to buy some today... one of the guys i rode w/ today told me to just buy a set of 100s at home depot.

i'll go visit home depot later.

my hearing is already bad so im kinda worried now