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