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Post by scootdudeman on Jun 8, 2011 17:54:45 GMT -5
My understanding is that the wind noise can cause hearing loss and wind noise is irritating. Does anyone wear ear plugs? Which are the best to wear?
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Post by Bong on Jun 8, 2011 18:29:48 GMT -5
Not real sure thats a good idea unless your racing. I would think hearing the traffic and such around you would be muffled too. I think just wearing a helmet 3/4 or a full face is a better idea. Just my 2 cents
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Post by stock on Jun 8, 2011 18:57:09 GMT -5
Yes, over time wind noise will seriously damage your hearing and there will be no getting it back. Ear plugs don't block the sound of traffic. I have even heard conversations going on in cars next to me (at a light with their windows down) while wearing them. What they block out is the white noise roar that is damaging. There are all different types from custom made to one us,e throw aways. I found a sample pack of a variety of kinds somewhere and tried out the various types til I found some that were comfortable and blocked out noise. If you ride longer distances at a decent speed you will find they also help you from being as fatigued.
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Post by scootdudeman on Jun 8, 2011 19:51:40 GMT -5
I agree with stock. The hard part is finding the best ear plugs to use.
@bong I have a 3/4 face helmet and it doesn't block the wind noise. I was thinking a full face would be better but I read those helmets can also incur wind noise as well.
Can someone tell me if a full face helmet reduces the wind noise good? I'm thinking about buying a modular full face helmet, the full face helmet that flips up. I've heard these are prone to wind noise though.
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Post by Bong on Jun 8, 2011 20:54:36 GMT -5
One of the arguments of those that defend there right NOT to wear a helmet is that it drowns out to much noise. Especially a full face. Go figure I agree with Stock, Like I said If your racing or doing Long touring trips Maybe. Running to the grocery store with Ear plugs sounds dangerous to me. I would think More long term damage with Ear buds for an MP3 player or cell phone headsets. Just an opinion I enjoy the wind but thats just me. I also like the drone of my loudish scoot ;D I say just ride and have fun, enjoy the wind, rain, and weather It can all have long term effects.
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Post by mainepeace on Jun 8, 2011 22:16:22 GMT -5
I do NOT go to loud concerts, I do NOT listen to loud music, I do NOT ride an unmuffled Harley.
I have been PROTECTING my hearing my entire life. I still have Tinnitus. It's most annoying at night when it's quiet out.
Do EVERYTHING you can to protect your hearing! If you think your losing some awareness by putting on plugs, look around more! Deaf drivers are among the safest drivers that exist, because they are constantly checking what they don't see.
I'm not an old codger (yet) but I look down upon people who have their music playing so loud that I can hear their music from their earbuds. The whole next generation are going to grow up deaf. Seriously.
Be safe!
Greg
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Post by stock on Jun 8, 2011 22:19:58 GMT -5
I started riding with a 3/4 and switched to a FF. The wind noise was less but it is certainly still there. A lot of that can depend on the helmet design, how it fits you, how wind flows around your bike/windscreen and speeds you ride at. I know it seems counter intuitive to think that you can actually hear more with ear plugs but ride with them for a bit and you will be surprised. I admit I don't put them in for little 2 mile, low speed trips to the grocery but if I will be running at a decent speed for any amount of time I use them. I don't care what anyone else does but I don't like the ringing in my ears after a day of riding without them. I sure don't want to be that ringing to be all I hear someday.
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Post by bobbyb on Jun 8, 2011 23:10:27 GMT -5
Back in my Harley days, we used cotton balled up in our ears. I switched to earplugs when the disposable ones came out. So count me in as an earplug wearer. I use them whenever I ride. I can't stand wind blowing into my helmet. I use an mp3 player on the road with earbuds that fit snugly into your ears. If you don't want to protect your ears, have fun with tinnitus when you get older.
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Post by mainepeace on Jun 8, 2011 23:25:36 GMT -5
So STOCK, when you gonna be in town? Got a brand new scoot that you could be the first to rent!
Greg
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Post by shalomdawg on Jun 9, 2011 0:38:43 GMT -5
huh--whadja say?
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Post by rogernelson on Jun 9, 2011 2:11:04 GMT -5
From where should i buy these ear plugs?
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Post by stock on Jun 9, 2011 8:29:17 GMT -5
From where should i buy these ear plugs? I'd say try something like this and decide what you like. www.tasco-safety.com/earplugs/samplepack.htmlMP, I get there sometime Sunday. Weather is predicting 4 days out of 6 for rain on my vaca. I will be hitting you up on a dry day though.
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Post by mainepeace on Jun 10, 2011 0:17:30 GMT -5
I wonder if you can somehow incorporate full ear cans into the helmet. Then, take a mic wired to an sound amplifier and run that to ear buds in the cans. That way you can dial in the frequencies you want to hear, and you can completely cut out the low damaging ones. And you can listen to music and perhaps bluetooth for your cell phone while still hearing the important traffic sounds. Too much?
Greg
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Post by mechanical1990 on Jun 11, 2011 0:50:46 GMT -5
There is a type of ear plug that blocks out higher decibel sounds that can damage hearing, while allowing other sounds through, I can't think of the brand or where to find them though. Used to use them when using cannons at Living History Events.
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Post by Bluefront on Jun 11, 2011 5:21:52 GMT -5
You can buy ear plugs at any drug-store......Tinnitus is a nasty problem for us older cycle riders. Who knew back in the beginning, that neat-sounding pipes were destroying your hearing?
I prefer a helmet that allows airflow through it........keeps your head cooler. The ear plugs protect your hearing.
FWIW.....listening to music using those ear-buds can be the most dangerous thing to your hearing. It concentrates the sound way too close to your inner ear......something like that anyway.
The big problem here.....your hearing loss will usually be so gradual, you won't know it's happening. On the other hand....the members of hard-rock bands (almost) all suffer major hearing loss at young ages. Need any more proof.......
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Post by scootdudeman on Jun 12, 2011 17:43:31 GMT -5
I just used one of those spongy ear plugs and it blocked out the wind noise pretty good. I couldn't hear people talking but I could hear traffic. I will continue to use the ear plugs. The 3/4 AGV blade helmet I use brings a lot of wind noise. I'm hoping my new scorpion exo 400 ff helmet reduces the wind noise, maybe I won't have to wear ear plugs. We'll see.
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Post by chaz12 on Jun 12, 2011 20:36:53 GMT -5
I think loud pipes on a Harley might warrant some ear plugs, but a little 250cc scooter is mostly riden in town, doesn't warrant them. Atleast to the motorcycle guide for gear, doesn't say a darn thing about ear plugs. I really would think it be very important to hear everything to know your surrounding better than 99% because that 1% could kill you.
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Post by scootdudeman on Jun 14, 2011 13:36:51 GMT -5
@chaz It's not the scoot you need to be worried about but THE WIND. Wind noise can damage your hearing over time. When you wear ear plugs you can still make out traffic noise but it reduces the wind noise greatly.
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Post by jimh on Jun 14, 2011 16:13:17 GMT -5
I use Hear-O's from the drug store, they're blue and soft foam...I've been using them for 8 years to block out the snoring from my lovely wife. The wind noise comes through my full face enough to be irritating but hasn't been bad enough to use earplugs while riding. They also help when shooting your guns; I may start using them while riding since the subject has come up. Riding without a helmet to block the wind noise is more than I can bear...
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Post by chaz12 on Jun 14, 2011 16:55:37 GMT -5
But wouldn't a ski mask do the samething. Hold the wind off your ears?
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Post by chaz12 on Jun 14, 2011 17:04:42 GMT -5
Well, I admit the wind noise can be just as bothersome as not hearing other noises. I have been beaten up by wind too. LOL... I am serious, the wind gusting at 30 mph hitting one in the face as you travel 55 mph, well you hear nothing but the wind. That is bad. A stocking cap seems to work too. I will have to buy a pair of plugs to see which is better..
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Post by TERRA NUVO on Jun 14, 2011 17:14:45 GMT -5
i THINK STRAIGHT PIPES should be against the law, one of the most egocentric self absorbed infantile neighborhood events there is. look at me i have the loudest fart. There is a brand called "HUSHERS" that will let you hear but block the wind. bluefront wrote me and said his sister is a ear doc and she said truck drivers lose hearing in the window side ear from wind. Attachments:
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Post by chaz12 on Jun 14, 2011 17:19:46 GMT -5
Well, motorcyclist do use ear plugs to block out wind noise. So I will buy a pair.. Wind noise can be bothersome..
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Post by scootdudeman on Jun 18, 2011 4:30:32 GMT -5
i THINK STRAIGHT PIPES should be against the law, one of the most egocentric self absorbed infantile neighborhood events there is. look at me i have the loudest fart. There is a brand called "HUSHERS" that will let you hear but block the wind. bluefront wrote me and said his sister is a ear doc and she said truck drivers lose hearing in the window side ear from wind. I've been using some similar to these and they work pretty good. For me they are kind of weird, I hate the feeling of something jammed in my ear.
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Post by mechanical1990 on Jun 19, 2011 1:29:19 GMT -5
I have a 3/4 helmet that blocks a good amount of noise, and I am not too worries about losing my hearing, it is inevitable for me (really bad tinnitus in both ears (normal genetic disintegration of hearing) and half of my hearing is gone in my right ear (ear tube gone wrong) I enjoy the sound of wind rushing by my ears and will enjoy it for the few years left that I have my hearing. If you want ear plugs that will only cancel the dangerous sounds to your ears, try these, they are similar to the ones I used when working with cannons. You can still hear what is going on around you, but not much of any loud sounds. earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/honobr.html
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Post by scootdudeman on Jun 19, 2011 8:02:50 GMT -5
I tried my new Scorpion EXO 400 helmet and I find that is pretty quiet. Seems like I don't need ear plugs with this helmet. That AGV Blade 3/4 helmet I have is noisy as heck.
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Post by chaz12 on Jun 19, 2011 12:40:55 GMT -5
Well, definately will ride in winter weather with ear muffs. I am not really concerned when riding around town. More on highway cruising than in town riding.
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Post by frigginjoe on Jul 5, 2011 15:30:02 GMT -5
My helmets (open face and full) both do a pretty good job, but there's certainly still plenty of noise.
The full face helmet may have the effect of giving the impression of less wind noise because your face isn't being slapped with it at the same time, but it doesn't really quiet it enough for me to consider it a good solution.
The foam earplugs are a bit much, but I found that removing and using the soft part of earbuds meant for headphones is a perfect compromise of being able to hear and still muffling the engine and wind.
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Post by scootdudeman on Jul 8, 2011 13:12:41 GMT -5
I find the foam ear plugs block out too much sound and it feels weird inside my ear canal. I think next time I will try the wax ones that sit outside the ear canal instead of in it.
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Post by jeffreyhunter117 on Jul 8, 2011 13:56:52 GMT -5
I wear these. They work great! Attachments:
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