Page 2 of 3
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:44 pm
by dr_bar
The best without comparison are the custom ear plugs. No pressure on the ear canal, washable, last for years and they "Fit"...
This topic has been talked to death more than once on TMW, so to save my self some typing...
dr_bar wrote:VTX1300C wrote:Where did you get the customs from? Or did you make them yourself from a kit? I saw that Walmart sells a kit in the hunting section for $12 that lets you make custom ones.
You can get them from many different dealer/salesreps across Canada and the USA. I got mine when I was at the local bike show in January a couple of years ago. A tech will usually make a no charge fitting when 10 or more people are making a purchase at the same time, at your place of business, club meeting, etc... The head office is right hear,
(edit: a slip there, I did mean, "here"... lol) in the Greater Vancouver area, (Surrey) A link to their site is below...
http://www.protectear.com
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:49 pm
by RockBottom
dr_bar wrote: This topic has been talked to death more than once on TMW, so to save my self some typing...
[/quote]
I used to teach at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. In one of my classrooms was a sign that read, "No horse is so dead that it can't be beaten a little more."
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:18 pm
by Grey Thumper
I use them for any trip where I'm likely to go above, oh, 80 kph/50 mph or so. My favorites are the Howard Leight Max plugs.
http://www.howardleight.com/family/index/1. 33 dB of noise reduction.
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:55 pm
by Wrider
Personally I haven't found the need to use them during riding, unless I exceed 100 mph or ride with loud aftermarket exhaust. My helmet is pretty good at blocking wind noise.
When I'm bouncing on the other hand, I can't handle being in a club for 4 hours with 100-120 dB levels. I use the little foam earplugs from Walgreens. Rated at 33 dB just like the expensive foam ones but cheaper and you can get a pack with 50 pairs in em for 15 bucks.
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:47 pm
by RockBottom
Wrider wrote:Personally I haven't found the need to use them during riding, unless I exceed 100 mph or ride with loud aftermarket exhaust. My helmet is pretty good at blocking wind noise.
http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_moto ... acts.shtml
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:10 pm
by Wrider
No bud I know all about the dB levels and such... I'm good friends with deaf people, and I have researched dB levels before. I have extremely sensitive hearing as well. I've been tested and can hear in most ranges from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, which is considered the range for human hearing. I CANNOT stand really loud music in clubs and such, it physically hurts... So believe me that when I say my helmet blocks noise well I mean it.
Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:52 pm
by RockBottom
Well, it's your health so of you elect to believe that the people who have done research on this are wrong, knock yourself out.
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:15 am
by sv-wolf
Wrider wrote:
No bud I know all about the dB levels and such... I'm good friends with deaf people, and I have researched dB levels before. I have extremely sensitive hearing as well. I've been tested and can hear in most ranges from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, which is considered the range for human hearing. I CANNOT stand really loud music in clubs and such, it physically hurts... So believe me that when I say my helmet blocks noise well I mean it.
Hi wrider
For what it is worth the research I'm aware of concludes that riding anything over 40mph for more than 15 minutes will start to damage hearing - but that actually depends a lot on other factors.
Like how noisy your lid is for instance. I wear Arais as they are the only helmets that fit me well enough to be comfortable for daily riding. Trouble is, they are bloody noisy, so I really need to wear plugs.
A lot also depends on personal susceptibility. Some people's hearing becomes harmed very quickly by persistent noise, others can tolerate a fair amount of it for years with no appreciable damage. The research is very general and depends on the notion of a dirty-grey average human being.
Some people can damage their hearing equally by wearing the squidgy type of plugs. Over time, the pressure these things put on the auditory canal can cause mild tissue damage and lead to persistent low-grade infections. These are hardly noticeable (often you get just a slight increase in ear wax) but over time they can cause real problems. Re-using unwashed plugs is nuts. It's really stacking up the odds on getting ear damage later in life. Once an infection has become established, you are constantly reinfecting yourself.
Custom plugs are usually safest - though they are not always the quietest . In my experience and that of other motorcyclists I talk to, a lot depends on how well they are made.
Is nothing about biking really safe??????
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:38 am
by Kal
eh? pardon? what?
I spent year pushing to the front of stage a Metal gigs and receiving tinitus for days afterwards, I don't think even the Trike can really damage it anymore unless I run it in an enclosed space (which I don't do that often)
However I work on a phone all day, everyday wearing a headset and I have really bad liquid wax in that ear all of the time so next time I wonder off to the Doctors I think I will get my ears checked for infection.
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:39 am
by Wrider
Rock... They're not wrong, I'm not denying that. They in all probability did NOT test my helmet. I've used other ones that are much louder. I don't have perfect pitch but I'm to the point where I can tell you how much dB I'm listening to at any given moment. In my helmet it's usually around 70 when in the city. More of course on the highway.
Like you said the army took care of your hearing, I'm one of the nerds that uses ear protection when I'm shooting .22s. I do take care of my hearing, and I'm proud of my abilities.
Of course if I do end up deaf I already know sign language...
