 Earplugs
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Joined: Mar 2006
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 117 |
I used my earplugs for the first time this weekend on a long run at highway speeds in a half helmet. I popped in some Remington P30 soft plugs like these: http://www.opticsplanet.net/remington-protectiveinsertear-plugs.htmlThey certainly did the job cutting out wind noise but I felt like I was riding in a bubble, cut off from a lot of my surroundings. Are there other plugs that cut down the low end buffeting noise/protect my hearing while still allowing some sounds through? I'd like something I can wear when using my full face helmet too, and think that these would just completely seal me off from the outside world. Not what I'm looking for. Or is the near total silence sensation just something to learn to live with?
Set the gearshift for the high gear of your soul...
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,546
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,546 |
I read posts about how good earplugs were so I bought some similar to the ones you got. I hate them. went about 2 miles pulled over and threw them away.
if life gives you lemons keep them because hey,free lemons.
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 386
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 386 |
I just use the cheap yellow ones that are cone shaped with little ridges. $3.99 a pair at Sears. I rip them off the little blue cord that connects them together. A doctor friend of mine who rides says the constant wind noise is damaging to your hearing. Much like a factory worker who has constant machine noise in the background. It is a cumulative effect that slowly degrades your hearing. I try to use them all the time, although it does sound like you are in a fishtank when wearing them with a full face helmet.
Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should just get used to that fact and relax
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
Maybe drill a small hole in the center of the earplug? Letting a LITTLe noise thru?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,025
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: May 2006
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After 600 miles at 75mph and no ear plugs I thought I was just fine... Untill I walked into the hotel front desk and just seen everyones mouth moving.  It took almost 4 days to get my ears back. First thing I did was hit walmart the next mornin' and bought some Headz earplugs (spongie/foam) couple bucks. That was my first lesson on the long ride.  I work with audio alot and thought my carreer was over. Whew it's back. Get the Plugs!
06BA,-AI,NoBfls,K&NPods,TBS,155/45,2 3/4Out,SidGapPlgs,Wirsnbrs
NawImPrityFknFarFrmOkMan
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
I've tried every ear plug I could lay my hands on. I just don't like them. I get the 'bubble effect', too. JMI, but seems more dangerous to me. All I seem to hear is internal noise. So what if you can hear your heart beat - I want to be able to hear a horn or screeching brakes.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 420
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 420 |
You might want to check these out. They were reccommended to me by a friend that is a musician. They let you hear everything but knock the "edge" off so to speak. I personally haven't tried them yet but he swears by them, could be just what your after. Steve
Steve
(hewhoshallremainavatarless)
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Ear plugs, to wear or not wear, style etc. seems to fall into the "personal preference" category. I've gotten in the habit of wearing the 25 cent a pair foam rubber disposable kind from the local pharmacy. For me they eliminate wind noise, sharp exhaust under power noise and I can still hear conversations and other background noises including traffic. I have some hearing loss in my left ear from 1) a childhood infection, 2) a Wishbone Ash concert in 1974, 3) chainsaws, 4) 20,000 hours of holding a telephone against the side of my head. Good luck JH
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 241
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 241 |
I just use the yellow foam plugs. I got in the habit of using earplugs for just about anything, back in the day when I flew whirly-birds.
Any landing you can walk away from is a good one.
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 |
I use the Hearos Ultimate Softness plugs. You can buy the sampler packs at the site Glazer reccomends.
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
Glazer,
Those look like they may have some potential. Which model does your friend recommend.
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 185
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 185 |
(i think on a recommendation from this site) i bought these SilentEar plugs a couple of years ago and i love them. i got the 3-size trial pack (wife uses the smaller size, i use the mediums). to me they kill the all of the bad stuff, but still enable me to hear what i need to hear to stay safe. each pair comes in this convenient little plastic canister with a keyring loop. i wear mine on every ride that's longer than a few miles. the one piece of advice i can offer with this is to make sure the inside of your ears are dry / somewhat wax-free before you put them in - otherwise they can dislodge. anyway, highly recommended. your ears will thank you. p.s. looks like they've got another model "QuietEar" that's supposed to enable you to hear more traffic.
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297 |
Quote:
After 600 miles at 75mph and no ear plugs I thought I was just fine... Untill I walked into the hotel front desk and just seen everyones mouth moving. It took almost 4 days to get my ears back. First thing I did was hit walmart the next mornin' and bought some Headz earplugs (spongie/foam) couple bucks.
That was my first lesson on the long ride.
I work with audio alot and thought my carreer was over. Whew it's back.
Get the Plugs!
Reid, I am with you. I got a big scare on the way back from Georgia two years ago. In addition to the plugs, I have also added this little gadget to my full face. http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/windjammer/helmet-wind-blocker.htm
It has eliminated the wind noise in my KBC helmet. Now, when I go with the open face, that is another story.
In Between the Dark and the Light..
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,025
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,025 |
Oh bye the way, they are not Headz earplugs, Their Hearos. Me and my pornagraphic... I Mean photographic memory... Thats twice today. (wrong jet size, wrong earplug name) Hearos Earplugs
06BA,-AI,NoBfls,K&NPods,TBS,155/45,2 3/4Out,SidGapPlgs,Wirsnbrs
NawImPrityFknFarFrmOkMan
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
I like the re-usable washable style to knock down the helmet wind noise.
Available at most industrial safety stores.
They surely help on long rides.
or better yet, these, what gots music coming out of 'em
I read a tip years ago that reaching around the back of your head
and pulling the ear backward while pushing the
plug into the ear will allow the deepest
plug insertion. A little moisture helps too.
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,457 |
My advice to whoever doesn't like earplugs is get used to them. I know several middle-aged guys that are constantly cocking their head around to favor the "good ear", and saying "what" alot. Took me a while to get used to jacket in near 100* Florida heat, not to mention full face helmet.
If you get regular off the shelf plugs, don't get the ones with the highest db rating, all you want to do is kill the wind noise.
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
My advice to whoever doesn't like earplugs is get used to them. I know several middle-aged guys that are constantly cocking their head around to favor the "good ear", and saying "what" alot. Took me a while to get used to jacket in near 100* Florida heat, not to mention full face helmet.
WHAT?????
Good advice here (hear? ) Get used to 'em if you don't want to end up with major hearing loss.
Due to the nature of my work I wear earplugs all the time to protect what hearing I have.
Like Freedom I have some loss from my youth ('cept it was Black Sabbath and Zep), and when I started wrenching I didn't wear any while running impact wrenches, air ratchets, etc. While my conversational level is still OK, I have quite a bit of loss in the upper ranges, I don't really notice it, but it shows up in the hearing tests, and sometimes womens and children's voices can be be difficult to hear.
Note: If, when you put on earplugs or in really quiet situations, you hear a ringing noise, you have high range hearing loss. It will get worse if you don't protect it.
Through many years of wearing different types of earplugs, I have found that the roll-up and stick 'em in type do an adequate job of reducing noise, but can get quite uncomfortable after an hour or so. The kind with baffles are the best all around. Usually about 27 NRR, and comfortable all day. Custom fit are the best (An audiologist can do this, sometimes for free).
I'm going to look further into those musician earplugs. Might be just the thing for riding. 
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
A helmet lining that cups around the ears will help a lot too. The old flight helmets had rubber donuts that went around the ears like stereo headphones and kept out most of the sound without isolating you from the world. My flip face HJC reduces the sound considerably. But I like the idea of stereo earplugs and a little music too.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
Hot wax is good too, if you can bear the pain - and when you get home it can be used to de-foliate your ears  
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,968 Likes: 1 |
I never liked using ear plugs. I'd rather get quieter pipes.
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,540
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2006
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Its not just the pipes Ron, its the wind noise more than anything.
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,297 |
Quote:
Its not just the pipes Ron, its the wind noise more than anything.
Wind noise is the killer. My full face was like a wind tunnel until I purchased the Windjammer. I am with you and this bottle of Merlot that will not leave my side.
In Between the Dark and the Light..
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
I love the sound of my pipes, but on any trip riding at high speed for an hour or more, I wear ear plugs. I agree that wind is just as much the problem as exhausts. You need to do it to protect your ears - take it from someone who makes their living with them. Age is bad enough!
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
I like these: web page Foam Earplugs - AdvanceAutoParts[/url] The second ones down. 33 NRR For $0.96, 5 pair, and come with a small tube to keep a pair clean. Handy to have in a coat or jacket pocket (or tank bag). I can hear the sound of the engine (intake/exhaust), enough sound from other traffic, etc., but it cuts out the wind noise. If I'm riding for more than 20 minutes at highway speeds, I'm wearing them.
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
I've found these to be more comfortable. Howard Leight Eight hours at a stretch sometimes and still comfortable. I like the corded kind so I can pull them out while getting gas, coffee, etc. and not have to put them anywhere.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223
Big Bore
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Big Bore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223 |
Hey Bill,
I've seen these at Lowes and Home Depot for about the same price. Orange but same noise reduction rating.
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
I'll have a look there. Have to go buy some OSB for projects anyway  . Even at two or three bucks a pair, they're cheap  .
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,025
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,025 |
Oh and don't clean your ears before you use your plugs either, The chicks dig that piece of burnt corn that comes out with your earplugs. ewwww yukk...
06BA,-AI,NoBfls,K&NPods,TBS,155/45,2 3/4Out,SidGapPlgs,Wirsnbrs
NawImPrityFknFarFrmOkMan
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Re: Earplugs
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
On my my to-do list is to install a set of Bose ear cushions
http://www.gulf-coast-avionics.com/detail.asp?id=6417
and some soundproof foam into my half helmet ear straps
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