Ear Plug help please

[Davel]

I know that we're supposed to wear them, to prevent long term hearing problems but I hate wearing them.

I don't like listening to my own footsteps or heartbeat etc and not being able to hear my own bike or what is going on around me.

My singing is bloody awful too.

Is there an alternative type of earplug, which will reduce the sound but not completely seal up the earhole?

Help.....

 

[wessie]

get the trial pack of 21 different designs from http://earplugs.gb.com/earplugs.html

if you can't find one that suits you then you must be very weird

 

[CoolCarbon]

Whatever you do, don't go without some form of protection...

Tinitus is no fun....and you WILL get it eventually if you ride without Plugs of some sort....I knoooz...

You can of course get 'Filtered' Custom Moulded Plugs that still give you a modicum of noise awareness..

CC

 

[Cheesy Mike]

get the trial pack of 21 different designs from http://earplugs.gb.com/earplugs.html

Wot he said!

Great company to deal with.

Mike

 

[Gas'd Off]

Don`t worry you will get used to them and they don`t completely block the low frequency sound such as Boxer twins

 

[Smalesy]

At work we use the moulded custom fit earplugs which stop the harmful frequencies but mean that we don't suffer the problems of foam earplugs eg. shouting when talking, hearing your footsteps etc. This is because they are fitted with a tiny accoustic filter. You can hear just about normally with them fitted. They are about £70 a pair but the company keeps a mould of your ear so replacements are a lot cheaper.

I personaly use the foam ones but that's just preference.

Whatever you do, don't ride without them. As a rough guide, all things being taken as average, 4 minutes at 100mph gives you more noise than you would be allowed in a factory during an 8 hour long shift. So next time you're on that private road doing 100 mph......

There is also a body of research that has shown that exposure to prolonged periods of noise significantly increases fatigue.

 

[jonnie comet]

FWIW.......Ditto what everyone else has said.....

I'm 47, and have ridden 'bikes forever without ear plugs. I am now getting regular ringing, and deafness in my right ear, which a consultant has put down to my " lifestyle "

It took ages getting used to wearing ear plugs, but I really wish I had started years ago.

Live and learn I suppose..................

 

[Davel]

Thanks for the advice.

Will order the sample pack as suggested and have to get used to them!

Cheers guys....

 

[sparkplug]

Davel,

All good advice in this thread. I'll just add one thing: if you don't get on with anything in the sample pack don't give up.

Ear canals are as individual as finger prints and all the foam plugs are made for an 'average fit' which is fine if you are average...

If nothing is comfortable or if it is painful after extended periods of use then consider having custom molded earplugs as these will offer the greatest comfort. They are cheaper too in the long run, as long as you don't lose them