Ear / Hearing protection

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by bitterpil, Apr 28, 2008.

  1. bitterpil

    bitterpil New Member

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    Split from the "protective gear don't leave home without it" Thread.

    How coerrect you are ... I never ride more than a few mins without my ear plugs. EAR Plugs are a must. The low frequency ossilation of the ear drums is just as damaging as loud sound.

    I wear a nice pair of silicone ear plugs with a protection rating of 26. I find that protection ratings of 30 and above make it dificult for me to hear the traffic and sirens around me.

    As a matter of fact this shoudl be a separate thread.
     
  2. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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  3. bitterpil

    bitterpil New Member

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  4. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    I will say that I don't use them for the short trip to work (10 miles) but I use them when I am going on a longer ride. I should use them all the time I know, but I am too lazy to put them in and out for a 15 minute ride.
     
  5. bitterpil

    bitterpil New Member

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    I would say that 10-15 mins is my limit. The rest of the time I wear ear plugs.
    That said, from time to time I catch myself running out of work and forgetting to put them in. I notice it once I hit the HWY.
     
  6. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    Most of my rides are about 200 to 300 miles per day. What I like to do is leave out the earplugs for about the first fifteen to twenty minutes so I can make sure there are no funny (or new) noises coming from the bike (I ignore any funny/new noises coming from me). Then I stop and put in the earplugs, usually coincidental with a gas stop. Gas for the bike, that is.
     
  7. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    My medical insurance covers such things, I have an appointment, on the 30th of April, to be custom fitted, at no cost to me. If you have decent medical coverage you can get custom plugs at little, or no, cost to you. I am going with a product from these folks - http://www.westone.com/
     
  8. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    Thanks Ron. I'm looking for a new pair.
     
  9. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    I have gotten so that I can only stand a quick rip around the block without them. If I'm headed out anywhere the plugs in are an automatic. The extra wind noise drives me bonkers otherwise.

    MD
     
  10. Molsan

    Molsan New Member

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    longer than 3h i use em...so mainly for road trips.
     
  11. JoshV987

    JoshV987 New Member

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    In town I can get by with out them but on the freeway I use them.
     
  12. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    What's up with this? I tried some foam earplugs and I felt like I couldn't hear ANYTHING - the engine revs, the traffic, ZERO. I hated them. I might as well have been driving in a Lexus. I couldn't even keep my speed even because I couldn't hear the &^%$#) engine!!! What sort of plugs make sense for riding? I want to experience the ride, even its noise. But I don't wwant to further damage my hearing - which sucks anyhow because I suffer from Tinitus.
     
  13. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    LG,

    At your age funny noises and gas have a lot in common.
     
  14. CalG

    CalG New Member

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    It would be nice to find a "half solution" EAR foam plugs are too quiet!

    What? I can't hear you ;-)

    CalG
     
  15. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I use some that are a type of foam but far smoother than those you buy at the local lumber yard. They are far more comfortable and pliable. They fit better in your ear. And they don't seem to block out too much. I suppose it depends how deep you put them into your ear. I too like to hear the roar of the engine. But I have had two occasions where I went totally deaf in an ear for a few days. Neither time were we able to figure out what happened. One time they thought that it may have been due to past prolonged exposure to a router and it's noise. But for that short period of time, simple things such as TV, music and many other pleasures, could not be enjoyed. So give this serious consideration.
     
  16. KC-10 FE

    KC-10 FE New Member

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  17. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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  18. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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  19. bitterpil

    bitterpil New Member

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    I am interested in the ones KC was talking about. Not sure where to find them.
     
  20. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I have found that the 3M 1100 to be very comfortable. Noise reduction of 29dB. I get mine at the Pharmacists counter so they are readily available. The ones KC referrs to (or so I think anyways) are readily available at most lumber shops and tool stores. Ear protection is really easy to find.

    As a foot note to this. How many of you drive your cage with the window part way down? Big NO NO. Put it all the way down or all the way up. The little permanent hearing loss I have is due to years of driving with the driver's window partly down.
     
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