Ear Plugs...

[FJTillDeath]

Okay now I am a fan of ATGATT but theres one component i dont understand - ear plugs. I know if you travel 100mp/h+ for 200mp/h+ you get a lot of wind resistance which can aeffect your hearing, but if their objective is to block out sound wouldnt it just be better to play music through your headphones? because if they block out sound, obviously not all but wouldnt that be more dangerous than good. Am I just wearing them wrong or what? I prefer to hear things around me although the FJ does drown out most of the sound around me... Just looking for an eye opener or in this case an ear opener what would the best protection and comfort for yours be? also practically speaking

[andyb]

Earplugs block wind noise primarily.  It's loud in a helmet, even at moderate speeds!  Reducing that noise helps keep you on your game and prevents fatigue.

You'd need to have special headphones, the type which act as plugs when they're off, to gain a comparable benefit.  Otherwise it'll just be more noise, covering the windblast but you'll end up with a sound hangover (like going to a loud show but staying sober).

It's unusual for me to ride without earplugs in anymore.  Makes riding much more enjoyable and I'm not as tired when I arrive.  Also, oddly, it makes it easier for me to be smooth on the bike, but I have no idea why. 

[ddlewis]

Here's my experience and reason for earplugs.  First of all I wear the disposable foam plugs.  A pair is good for at least 10 uses.  Howard Leight are favorites, but flents, Macks, 3m are fine.  For me, ear plugs only reduce the higher frequencies.. I can hear the motor, and the exhaust etc but everything is muted and wind noise is virtually gone.  Can carry on a shouting conversation with my riding buddies when stopped at a light.  when riding long droning interstate type rides it is much more comfortable and less fatiguing.  Sometimes I listen to music through sound isolating earbuds to my mp3 player in place of the foam plugs.. not quite as comfortable or effective as foam plugs, but not too bad.

Have been wearing them for many years now and HATE to be without.  If I don't have a fresh pair handy I will literally dig out a nasty looking brown-ish pair that used to be bright yellow from deep in my tank bag and gladly stick them in my ears rather than do without.

Okay now I am a fan of ATGATT but theres one component i dont understand - ear plugs. I know if you travel 100mp/h+ for 200mp/h+ you get a lot of wind resistance which can aeffect your hearing, but if their objective is to block out sound wouldnt it just be better to play music through your headphones? because if they block out sound, obviously not all but wouldnt that be more dangerous than good. Am I just wearing them wrong or what? I prefer to hear things around me although the FJ does drown out most of the sound around me... Just looking for an eye opener or in this case an ear opener what would the best protection and comfort for yours be? also practically speaking

[moparman70]

ditto last entry - and you can extend the life ( not that you have too as they are not too expensive) but if you pop the foam cylinder shape ones in your pant pocket and throw them in the wash -- they come out nice and clean.  Be sure not to put them in the dryer ( the ear plugs of course).

stevecc

[Arnie]

Most industrial safety shops carry a number of types of the foam ear plugs.  I too like the Howard Leight plugs.
They come in a carton of 200 pairs for about $50.00 here in Australia.  Find 4 or 5 other bike riders and you can each have many years of ear plugs for $10 or so.  I keep a couple of new pair in the little storage bin on the left side of the fairing and keep the current pair in the neck roll of the helmet when I'm not riding so they're always handy.

Arnie

[rktmanfj]

I had a really nice pair of custom earplugs until a while back (lost one).

I liked them so much I had a pair of acoustic tube earphones molded up (loved those until the SO's Pekingese used them for a chew toy).   

I really need to get some new ones made up before the ECFR.

The disposable ones are okay, but I have a helluva a time getting them out sometimes.

Like Dan, I'll search out some pretty cruddy ones before I ride without.

Randy T
Indy

[FJTillDeath]

So they actually are quite useful after all, turns out I was using the wrong ones which were really uncomfy and blocked out almost everything (they were the kind people who suffer from insomnia normally use). The dealership I went to gave me a free sample pair to try out to see if they do the job and I must admit I was surprised with their pleasantness I am looking for a pair of special earphones but cant find them easily where I am. Maybe when this wretched rain clears up I will be able to go around town again looking for some

[ddlewis]

http://www.earfuze.com/product.html

Anybody have experience with these?  basically a DIY kit for custom fit earphones.  I'm gonna give it a try.

[rktmanfj]

I am looking for a pair of special earphones but cant find them easily where I am. Maybe when this wretched rain clears up I will be able to go around town again looking for some

There are several places you can get them custom made by mail.

You go to a hearing aid dealer, etc., and have them make a set of molds, then send them in with your order.

Randy T
Indy

[Mark Olson]

I am looking for a pair of special earphones but cant find them easily where I am. Maybe when this wretched rain clears up I will be able to go around town again looking for some

There are several places you can get them custom made by mail.

You go to a hearing aid dealer, etc., and have them make a set of molds, then send them in with your order.

Randy T
Indy

I had some made years ago at the hearing aid center for the job I had in a machine shop . they were called noise toppers and custom molded to my ears with a frequency cancelling dealio so you could still talk to your co worker with all the noise in the world going on.

I still use them for fj riding shooting guns etc.

[FJ Flyer]

I've been using Hearos, comfortable, work well, got a good rating from MCN.  Get them at Walgreens, etc., for about $5 for a pack of five pairs, I think.  I have helmet speakers, and with the ear plugs, I can turn the volume waaaay down and it sounds a whole lot better. 

As someone mentioned, noise is a big contributor to fatigue.  I use them 99% of the time.

[pdxfj]

I had a set of custom made ear plugs made, but they never fit right.  Went back to the hearing aid shop that made them and since the person who took the original molds no longer worked there, I was SOL.  $150 down the drain.

I've tried many different foam plugs and I have found the "Ear Soft Grippers" work the best for me.  They stay put and don't work their way out.  I also have helmet speakers and can hear music fine though the ear plugs.

Ear plugs are a must in my book.  

[FJTillDeath]

um do the helmets come staandard with speakers in them if so what helmets or can you modify a helmet to have speakers put in

[andyb]

Any helmet can be modified, if you're into that sort of thing. 

Another really good source for a variety of earplugs is a gun shop.

[FJTillDeath]

Another really good source for a variety of earplugs is a gun shop.

Haha unfortunately there arent many gun shops in South Africa, the only place to get them very easily is to raid the local Police station and even then their guns are crap except for the one or two decent rifles they may have, but I think that would belong in the Guns section of this forum.

But I really do enjoy listenning to music especially on long trips and it would be nice to listen to it without it having to fight with the wind

Although I am starting to wonder now that even helmets can be modified,,what on a bike cant you modify??