To Earplug or Not to Earplug? That is the question!!

Sweet & Sour Andy

AndyPandy Motovlogs
So, I commute daily to and from work, I travel about 14kms each way and ride on a HWY 90% of the way at 100 km/h. I was always of the opinion that unless you are going on long rides or have an open faced helmet that there wasn't any real need for plugs or any other form of hearing protection as the helmet cut out the majority of noise that would cause any real harm.

Well, after I bit the bullet and got some, (for the just in-case I want to jump on and ride for a while one day) I am completely and utterly converted to the ways of hearing protection. Yes yes, the plugs hurt after a while or they are a pain in the arse and keep falling out..... well get some that fit properly then and all those shit excuses wont have a leg to stand on.

After having them in for a 3 hour ride around town cruising at hwy speeds and going slowly around the roads I can honestly say that I have put them in every time I have gotten on the bike since. The main reason IMHO is the amount of extra concentration it gives you. Just the simple drone of the wind rushing past the helmet is enough for your brain to switch part of itself off to block out the noise, so you need to ask yourself, "are you riding as safely as you can be right now? with part of your brain blocking out sensory aspects and having a lack of concentration because of that?"

OK, OK, speech time is over. You have my thoughts on it, what are yours? do you wear plugs or not and what are your reasons for doing so.

Please don't flame at people that have other views or values different to yours, everybody is entitled to their own.
 
Must admit, I've yet to find a set i'm comfortable with but at the same time, i rarely travel any distance. Think I'll have to eventually bite the bullet and get some made as all the ones I'vr tried so far just won't go/stay. Guys - please post your recommendations and any hints or tips for comfortable wearing!!!
 
Must admit, I've yet to find a set i'm comfortable with but at the same time, i rarely travel any distance. Think I'll have to eventually bite the bullet and get some made as all the ones I'vr tried so far just won't go/stay. Guys - please post your recommendations and any hints or tips for comfortable wearing!!!
I ordered some from auritech http://www.auritech.info/products/biker/
They're reusable and well worth the 20 quid a pair.
 
Never thought of trying earplugs. Though I do put in in-ear buds and not listen to music to cut the noise out some. Though I don't travel any distance
 
Head phones and i commute 24miles a day, i love the noise of my bike otherwise. I wear ear defenders at work all day, i couldnt handle being deaf for most of my day
 
I never used to wear them with my AGV K3 but since I've got the new K3 SV I find it really loud. Bought a pair today for £1.50 and can't believe the difference.
 
Beer chugs you say?!! ... Can I have a rum instead? ...

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Seriously though ... Haven't normally worn plugs while riding... MP3 buds a few times... But I've noticed that even with the noise cancelling ear buds that things are nicer on the bike! .. Even without music!

My hearing is half trashed already! ... When I was a young chap I did a lot of gun sports/hunting type stuff... ALWAYS wore plugs or muffs.... And got caught out by (counting) ... 4 different mates that fired closeby before hearing protection in.... Now I have tinnitus! .. Anything like a digital watch alarm or higher just doesn't exist for me anymore..

If you have good hearing then protect it at all costs!! Including form over fashion!!!!

If you have crap hearing like me... Then protect it anyway .. So you don't lose more!! ...
 
I haven't used ear protection in the year I've been riding and I can't say I've noticed any negative effects, but then I chose a touring lid that claimed low noise levels (Shoei Qwest).

Personally I can't stand ear plugs/buds, so if I did decide to go for protection I'd have to try some of those custom moulded types.
 
They taught us in motorcycle safety class that we should invest in some good earplugs because wind noise can causing hearing loss over time. I'm the guy who went to metal concerts twice a month and got bones and ears rattled. I saw a bunch of nerds with earplugs in, but I'm not about that bullshit hahahah. NO EARPLUGS FOR ME. What? ... did you say something? Hahaha. No, but something to consider as well is being able to hear things around you. If a horn sound muffled it may sound far away. You might not notice it coming up on you. Just something I considered when thinking about ear protection. You get yourself a good helmet and keep the visor down I think you'll be good.

Now here's some metal in the meantime :P

 
I have the auritech plugs and they are great...when I use them. Don't usually use them on my half hour scooter commute, but any ride on the Virago that's not just a pop into town, they get in.

Used to wear those squishy foam things when I worked in a factory. Horrible.
 
They taught us in motorcycle safety class that we should invest in some good earplugs because wind noise can causing hearing loss over time. I'm the guy who went to metal concerts twice a month and got bones and ears rattled. I saw a bunch of nerds with earplugs in, but I'm not about that bullshit hahahah. NO EARPLUGS FOR ME. What? ... did you say something? Hahaha. No, but something to consider as well is being able to hear things around you. If a horn sound muffled it may sound far away. You might not notice it coming up on you. Just something I considered when thinking about ear protection. You get yourself a good helmet and keep the visor down I think you'll be good.

Now here's some metal in the meantime :p



Brilliant intro and music but they need a new singer
 
Well hearing damage is accumulative and anything at or above 85 decibels can cause damage. Once its there its there for good. I think they say heavy traffic is about 85 decibels, just for reference.
I'm real fond of my hearing, I use earplugs for everything :D
 
I always have them in my hip bag. Usually using them on motorways, cause I'm wearing a cross helmet. Very useful when sharing your tent or room with some dude snoring his head off.
 
My can is pretty loud and i love the sound of it so no. But i do have a scala rider so if im on motorways etc i jus turn that on. It is a life saver
 

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