| Author | Message | ||
     Sandblast |
I have been commuting on my M2 lately, and I notice that even with ear plugs in my ears are ringing pretty bad after I get off the bike. This worries me some. I do have some permanent ringing in my left ear, probably because of my old job, and I dont want it to get worse. I wear just cheap normal ear plugs but they seem to block out the sound very well. Any ideas or input? | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
look into a windstopper for your helmet. The people that make the Halo reflective band have one that includes a piece of material that cuts down on the amount of air coming up from the bottom of your helmet. Check for vents that are just being noisy and not really flowing air. By blocking them up so the wind just flows over them it will cut down on windnoise. | ||
| Glitch |
Expensive Not as expensive | ||
| Djkaplan |
I use the cheapies, but I push them in until they touch (not each other). If I don't get them in just right to where they expand and totally seal my ear canals, the wind noise doesn't get blocked out. You have to shove them in all the way! | ||
| Whodom |
Wycked- are you talking about something like this?: http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/windjammer/helmet-wind-blocker.htm Any sources in the U.S. for something similar? | ||
| Henrik |
A word of caution with the molded plugs. I had a set made with speakers in them. like these. I think they're originally made by a company called Precision Labs?? The sound is great as is the noise attenuation, except when riding ... When riding, the wind pressure on the helmet pushes/pulls my scalp enough to deform my outer ear, so that the plugs loose the seal and thus most of the attenuation. That was of course a major bummer, since that's what I'd bought those plugs for, but even 2 remolds didn't fix the problem. They're great however for airline travel, where they seal out noise and a allows movie watching w/ decent sound. If you *do* have a set made, make sure the cord exits the plug immediately above/in front of your ear lobe and immediately below/behind the tragus: http://www.ciprodex.com/consumer/ear_anatomy.asp Cord pressure on any of the two will make wearing the plugs unbearable - it's amazing how painful that can get ... and wearing the helmet only makes it worse. So now I use re-usable foam plugs. Howard Leight Max Lite Earplugs: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=809 $26 for a box of 100 pairs, corded. I may be preaching to the choir, but how you insert those plugs makes a huge difference in their efficiency; for the foam plugs I roll the plug into a thin cylinder, give the tip a quick suck (kinda giving yourself a wet willie) and quickly insert the cylinder while pulling my ear up and back a bit. Make sure to get the cylinder inserted without bending or bunching up. Pulling your ear will straighten out the outer ear canal, making it easier to insert the plug to or slightly beyond the bend. Now, as the foam plug expands, it will get a good seal providing max attenuation. The Max Lites seem to be made of slightly less dense foam, which makes for lesser pressure in the ear canal = less discomfort on long rides. I do however also carry a few wax ear plugs, which seal without any pressure at all, and therefore is a comfortable replacement if the foam plugs start to bother me. The wax plugs are also more comfortable for sleeping if you're sharing a room with a buddy who snores a lot  I roll the wax plugs into a cone, pull back/up on my ear and insert the cone as far into my ear as possible. Then squish the plug in there, spreading the wax to cover as much of the ear opening as possible. Henrik | ||
| Josh_ |
OK, Henrik I'm not going to say which part, but something in there was Too Much Information.  | ||
| Henrik |
Too Much Information If we're thinking of the same thing, it has however proven to be an important step in achieving ideal plug placement and seal. It will also alert you when it's time to splurge on a new (fresh) set of ear plugs Of course you may just be reading too much into what I wrote, in which case I take no responsibility  Henrik (Message edited by Henrik on April 05, 2005) | ||
| Okinawaxb12s |
mine do the same thing.years of dove hunting with no ear plugs. | ||
| Bomber |
my completely non-scientific poll results indicate that by the time most riders are interested in saving their hearing, permanant damage has already been done -- riding, loud music, firearms, explosives, having teenagers in the house, being a teenager -- all these things will result in the ringing mentioned above -- regardless of your feeling about the use of precious bodily fluids to save your high freq response, use plugs just ask Road_Thing -- but be prepared to shout ;-} | ||
| Smadd |
I made an appointment with a local audiologist and was fitted with custom plugs. The cost, as I recall, was around $50. This was a few years ago. Pros... easy to take in and out and I know they were properly fitted. He did go to some lengths to make sure of that. Cons... not as effective with age (possibly some deformation, and ear shape does change with age). I'm back to foam plugs. Steve | ||
| Djkaplan |
"my completely non-scientific poll results indicate that by the time most riders are interested in saving their hearing, permanant damage has already been done -- riding, loud music, firearms, explosives... " Eh? Yeah, I'm just trying to save what I got left. | ||
| Jlnance |
FWIW Foam plugs + cute carying can from HD dealer: $8 Foam plugs + cute carying can from Suzuki dealer: $5 Foam plugs + cute carying can from Wallmart: $3 (Message edited by jlnance on April 05, 2005) | ||
| Jlnance |
In case anyone is reading this thread who has never tried ear plugs, I'd encourage you to give them a shot. I was reluctant myself because I thought it would be a hastle and take away from the riding experience. I was wrong. They are great. You actually hear better with the plugs in because they are most effective at blocking wind noise. | ||
| Djkaplan |
Eh? | ||
| Henrik |
dang; even *with* the cute carrying can $3 - 8 seems steep for earplugs that can otherwise be had for 26 cents/pair ... I'm in the wrong business Henrik | ||
| Road_thing |
Henrik, as usual, is right on. I have two sets of custom molded ear plugs (from my days as a competitive clay pigeon shooter) and, while they're great for shooting, they don't work as well under a helmet. I assume this is because the helmet squishes your ears out of shape just enough to keep the plugs from sealing, but whatever the reason, the throw-away foam plugs work better for me. And, as Jlnance said, I find I can actually hear the stuff I need to hear better once the wind noise is attenuated by the plugs. rt What? Did you say something? | ||
| Outrider |
Interesting. My flesh colored ear molds work great for shooting, riding and sitting in environments I would rather not be in. LOL The downside to my ear molds is I pick up more harmonics on my X1 compliments of a thin seat and a bony butt. Almost feels like frame to bone contact. Not bad but still an audible irritant. I can't use the foam plugs due to enlarged ear canals. The holes in my head are large and run deep. I am just glad they don't go all the way through yet. LOL Heck, even when I use the large diameter plugs, I need key or some other implement to dig them out. Of interest, I have found a solution that works great for me whether I am wearing a helmet (Buell) or not (Harley) and it is really cheap and sanitary. Quite simply, I use cotton balls and they appear to work as well as either the foam plugs or ear molds without the harmonics. Now, I wonder what the Db rating of deep and tightly packed cotton balls is. Anyone know??? | ||
| Road_thing |
I know it wasn't enough to protect my hearing from my 3".50 mount in 1970... ... my ears have been ringing ever since! rt | ||
| Bomber |
I'm reminded of the arty guy that Robin WIlliams played in Good Morning Vietnam ;-} | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
I love the riding experience with plugs. SO MUCH BETTER. My problem is, after about 500-1000 mi my ears are screaming in pain from the pressure from the plugs. I use the wally world variety in the shooting dept. Is there a softer plug. An answer? | ||
| Whodom |
Charlie- order one of the assortment packs from: http://store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/difoearpl.html Find a kind you like, then order them in bulk. That's what I did. | ||
| Blake |
Those soft little nipple shaped pink foam earplugs hurt your ears? Or are you talking about the old variety of cylindrical shaped ones. I haven't seen those in years. Henrik, hehehehehehe. You suck you earplugs! hehehehehehe. That's one more to add to our list of Henrikisms. | ||
| Dino |
I tried both soft reusable (uncomfortable) and expanding foam (more comfortable, but harder to insert and not comfortable beyond a few hours...then painful.) I finally tried the wax plugs in the link attached. All day, day after day comfort. Reuse many many times. (I have a set with each bike and have not tossed a set yet.) You have to knead them a bit prior to insertion, particularly in cold weather, but no, umm, oral manipulations are required. I highly recommend these to anyone looking for a comfortable, effective earplug. And they are even advertised as suitable for combat situations, so you can use them on those occasions when you must inform the household command unit of your new motorcycle purchase! http://www.earplugsonline.com/u-industrial.html HIGH LEVEL NOISE REDUCTION: NRR 34 tested in accordance with ( ANSI S3) 19-1974 Made for Industrial Environment, Combat Environment, Motorcycle Riding & more, World's Finest Ear Plug, is well known worldwide for its soft-moldable texture and its superior sound and wind blocking. Made from Purified Beeswax, Sterile Cotton and Lanolin, World's Finest is easily moldable & forms to the shape of your ear canal each time as you insert it, giving you a Personal Custom Fit that can be inserted (softly) to allow in some sound or (firmly) to block it out significantly. A pleasure to wear while (working or riding) & *Reusable for Years* !!! ( Easy Cleaning with soap & water or 1-2 drops of Isopropyl Alcohol ) | ||
| Dino |
Ah, I see that Glitch also recommended the wax plugs in the post above as his "less expensive" alternative to custom molded plugs. | ||
| Dino |
Henrik - A bit of K-Y might help ease those insertion problems that you're experiencing. | ||
| Jlnance |
even *with* the cute carrying can $3 - 8 seems steep for earplugs that can otherwise be had for 26 cents/pair Yea, I needed the K-Y Dino mentioned in his post when the cashier rang them up. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
I'm going to try the wax ones, but, I'm concerned about when it hits 115 deg and it's about 125 in my helmet. WILL THEY MELT? | ||
| Dino |
Charlieboy - I've never tried 115, that I can recall. But I've certainly seen 100+ with no problems. In your ears, they'll stay at body temp. I suppose it might not be a good idea to leave them in a black tank bag at 115 while you cool your jets at lunch in an air conditioned cafe. | ||
| Henrik |
Like mentioned above, wax plugs is my fall-back when the foamies get uncomfortable. The Max Lite's are softer and press less than others I've tried, but wax is #1 for comfort over longer periods of time. The trick with the wax plugs is, that they after a while loose some of the "stickyness", which is what makes them seal well. Question: do you use one full wax plug in each ear, or do you split one and use 1/2 in each ear? oh, and Dino, I think the KY might be too slippery for a good seal ... Henrik (wow, the Max Lite's are even cheaper at the online store ... ~10 cents/pair) |
