Tinnitus is the long term effect of short term hearing damage. At first your ears only ring for a day or so after a long days ride but over time the ringing does not go away and your ears ring all the time. Sufferers with more severe tinnitus have trouble sleeping at night because of the noise in their head. There is no cure for tinnitus (no matter what the internet shillers claim). The best protection is to not suffer the hearing damage in the first place. The noise of the wind blowing over a helmet is equal to standing within fifty feet of a jet engine. Safety supply stores sell the foam plugs in bulk and you can find them for ten cents a pair or less. If someone comes up behind you and makes a loud noise your whole body will tense up as part of your physical reaction, when you ride all day without earplugs your body is in that tensed up state most of the day as it tries to ward off the excessive noise which is why its so much more tiring to ride without earplugs. Don't worry about reduced ambient noise hearing and rely on and use your eye sight instead. Light travels a lot faster than sound so you will see it long before you hear it.
I mostly agree with that, but there's more than one kind of tinnitus. One of the reasons why it's so hard to treat is that there's various different forms and some take treatment better than others do. I've had it for nearly my entire life for neurological reasons and it has gone away for prolonged periods at points, but the kind you're talking about is essentially incurable as far as I know.
I have been riding for 42 years, since 1985 (first trip across France) I have been using ear plugs, nearly all of my contemporarys have hearing damage, some quite severe. Also been to some crap gigs where the ear plugs came in really handy! I used to ride with 21db foam plugs which I consider adequate, recently started using 34db foam plugs and I prefer them now. I can feel the front end much better with the 34db plugs, that sounds strange, but its true. I put it down to the brain having less unwanted noise to process. I've never had an occaision with ear plugs where I failed to hear something relevant to my safety. Ride Safe, Live Long.
Not only does wind noise damage your hearing, you also get tired a lot faster and it's harder to focus. I use Alpine motorcycle plugs. They are the same style and price as those last ones.
Thumbs up for Alpine MotoSafe from me too. They are slightly different shape to the ones in the video. I've found that some earplug and headphone styles fit my ears better than others, and the Alpines happen fit my ears well. I also like that the carrying case is small and soft and flat so I can keep it in one of the pockets of my jacket.
That's so true about staying comfortable and alert longer while wearing earplugs. My ability to cover large distances safely was vastly improved by wearing them. As a bonus, I'm less "amped" when I stop after a long day of riding and can get to sleep quicker.
Thank you, Kevin. I used to get these annoying headaches after about one hour of riding. Then I saw this video and tried riding with hearing protection. I no longer get headaches and the ride is so much more enjoyable now, so I thank you for the advice.
Hey Kevin, I'm a musician and mix soundtracks for movies as a living, so my ears are my life. To me the exhaust is less of a problem then the helmet. It's very hard to by a helmet and know how quiet it will be.No rating system for that. Wind noise plays a big part in causing hearing problems. My son is in the military so he gets me earplugs used on a shooting range. They work well but I feel a little out of touch with my surroundings. But thank you for raising a subject not many talk about.
Thanks to Kevin for bringing this topic up. As a musician and a rider, ear protection is very big on my mind. When I play my bass guitar, I often stand next to the over-zealous drummer, and you can be sure to see me with either an earplug or monitor ear-bud in my ear(s). I've used the foam types for riding, and have never looked into other options. I'm going to look into the FitLife plugs. One thing that we need to remember is that what you're trying to do is REDUCE the noise to an acceptable level - not to achieve SILENCE.
I recently started wearing the Nonoise motorsport earplugs. They are similar to the new black earplugs you purchased. These have a tuned ceramic filter that cuts wind and road noise while letting in some engine, exhaust, and surrounding noise we want to hear. Washable, and comes with an aluminum tube to store them. I love them. Cuts the noise, while letting more of the enjoyable exhaust sounds in. Cheap foam plugs don't compare. I find when I ride in town with no helmet (don't judge) that adding a neck gator or buff that covers my ears along with the plugs, it really makes the wind noise almost dissappear. Highway riding with a helmet and plugs is nice, but adding the neck gator is still even better. I don't listen to music while riding, because I find the time is great to be inside my own head, talking to God, and working out issues in life. Having less road noise is huge to protect my hearing, but it also helps unclutter my mind so I can concentrate better. Hope that makes me a slightly safer rider as well.
I get hearing tested at work yearly I went 9 years with no hearing loss then started riding w/ no earplugs for 5000 miles then next hearing test showed a loss in hearing at a certain frequency by just a little and I dont think it was coincidental. Now I'm used to riding with earplugs its more relaxing.
I bought a set of full custom silicon rubber plugs a few years back. They are always in my ears when riding and I never leave the house without them. You can encounter ear-damaging noise anywhere, like walking down the street and passing construction drills or emergency sirens or bikes and cars with race exhausts. I'd say go full custom, they'll last for years and in the long term they're probably cheaper than hundreds of disposable plugs, plus they save the environment from a pile of trash.
As a rider in Ohio, hearing protection is actually a frustrating subject. The manual used for MSF and permit licensing stresses the need for hearing protection. The law however contradicts this; a person is not permitted to wear anything obstructing their hearing while operating a motor vehicle. There is a state bill being put forward because many of us contacted our representatives about it. www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA132-HB-280 Hopefully they fix this because I risk a minimum $100 fine if I am caught wearing ear plugs while riding.
Great topic! Lots of riders think that the hearing damage is only secondary to the wind noise but riding without ear plugs let's a combination of sounds that together create a high decibel noise. So, you wear them to protect your hearing from all the sound contamination in the environment. That chronic beautiful sound of your pipes on the road damages your inner ear. The wind is just part of that contamination. I wear them all the time I have the silicone ones since I was 21 because I use them to cut distraction while studying but hardly use them. I prefer the foam ones and use the Hearos that cut the most decibels (the blue fat ones) which I also bring into any concert, club, and Karaoke I go into because those are the highest decibel exposures you get. So, if you are a rider and on top you love being by the speakers at concerts of clubs... HELLO, HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME? I'M TALKING TO YOU. WEAR YOUR EAR PLUGS!! Do yourself a favor.
I use the disposable foam ones. You forget just how loud the wind noise is and how much it distracts/tires you until you're riding along and one of your earplugs dislodges!
That third kind of earplug works great for concerts as well. They attenuate the sound but still give you a good representation of the sound. You also don't have what I call a concert hangover the next day. I won't see live music without them anymore.
Just found your channel, and I really enjoy it. Very helpful tips on how to be a better rider. Your calm demeanor, and speed that you talk, just makes it enjoyable to listen to you. No doubt your faith contributed as well. Keep it up.
i finally wore them a couple of weeks ago to key west because last year I didn't and the rented Harley had my ears ringing. I wore them this year and I was still able to hear the music from the fairing and the navigation minus the wind noise. I felt so much better at the end of my rides.
I use ear plugs similar to the last set and they work well. I tried a custom, do it your self kit that I bought at Cabela's. you mix epoxy put it in your ear and wait 15 min for it to dry. They were very comfortable but they wouldn't let my ears equalize going up and down the mountain.
Different helmets have very different noise levels, too. When I switched from an Arai to a Schubert helmet, I was amazed at how much more quiet riding was.
As a naked rider, this is something I am always on the lookout for (and when I'm clothed, too.... ZING!!). Currently I use Mack's silicone earplugs. They're cheap, block out almost everything, can mold to your ear, they stay in place, and I can use them numerous times. Menards and Home Debot carry them; not sure about Lowes. HOWEVER, they take a few minutes to warm up and mold to your ear, might require a second try if you don't level the silicone to your ear for a proper seal (the helmet might catch it and pull it away, too), and requires a zip-loc bag or hard plastic case to cary around so as not to get them dirty. Overall, though, I'm still really happy with them when compared to the others I've tried, and it's rare that I ever have to try a second time to refit them to my ear.
I don't even go down the road without earplugs. I switched to a modular helmet, and that also gave me a huge increase of wind noise. I had to buy some hoods to fill a void in the helmet and stop wind that way. My next step is going back to full face. But I also ride with glasses. So it is hard to find a good helmet. Contacts aren't a good option for me, because my eyes dry fast with them. I'm glad you put this video out. I'll be looking at the attenuated plugs. I also ride with music. I find it cancels out some of the wind noise. Particularly on long rides or commutes out of the city. So those plugs should be really useful.
Thanks. I ordered a pair of earplugs with the filter. I like them much more than the foam earplugs. No wind noise and I can hear my music. Thanks again.
I am a professional musician (bass player/singer) and rider. For both environments I wear Etymotic ER-20s, now caller ETY High Fidelity plugs. Similar to your plug #3 but with a different hard plastic attenuator piece. Affordable, easily taken apart and washed, featherweight, last purt near forever. My music career would have been over from hearing damage if I hadn't found these things 25 years ago. They go in any time I am exposed to loud sound and they let enough highs through to sing and play in pitch and hear surrounding traffic noise, a must-have safety feature.
I'm looking for active noise cancelling. (I wear disposables rated 32db now.) but 2 questions: 1. I'm looking for the active noise cancelling, not music. I don't play music on the bike (riding is fun by itself, I don't need music to distract, ymmv). But for every noise-cancelling ear device I see, the description is more about music highs and lows than about background noise cancelling. Many devices have a mic, too. I ride solo so I don't need a mic to talk to myself. If device has a speaker, does setting volume affect how much it cancels? 2. How can I determine which of the many to buy? ($50 - $150). Anybody have a brand/model # they like?
Thanks so much, Kevin. I've known for ages that I should be wearing earplugs for wind noise and you have now convinced me to act. Looks like your recommended choice doesn't ship to Australia but I've found another similar product which I have now ordered. I don't miss any of your beaut vids. Goodonya!
Hi Kevin. Lovin' your channel. Excellent source for a 'know it all' like me! Been riding a 2001 Goldwing for 6 years now. You've clarified why I have found it necessary to wear earplugs from day 1, for as you say, it matters not what type of bike or helmet. I come to believe too that a full helmet can capture sound and reverberate from within, perhaps amplifying the excess noise that I figure must enter from below. Anyway, your Canadian rider fans might want to know, you can purchase pretty well identical earplugs, I think in the drum section of Long and Mcquade, under the brand name Zildjian for about $25 CDN. (Or as we Canadians like to joke, $10 US.) Much to envy on the American side. Absolutely love biking in your fantastic country!!
Those look exactly the same as the Eargasm plugs I recently bought and I really like them! I agree you can hear the Bluetooth clearer. I also really like that if I am stopping into a store or something I can leave the earplugs in and still hear people with them in.
This video is right on. I got tired of not being to hear ppl after a ride and so I've been using the Surefire EarPro Sonic Defender i found at Walmart for about 15 bucks for about 2 years. They block 99% of the wind noise, but still allow me to hear alot around me when riding. They also have an end piece that can be opened to allow more sound in if you want. The black tabs to make it easier to get out of your ear are removable.I find them really comfortable and they're washable too. I won't go back to riding without some type of protction
Update: Ordered. Secondly, in reading the description, these are also built for musicians. Some of my hearing loss is from drumming; it's hard to drum with earplugs for the same reasons it is on an MC. ...Game-changer!... Sir, thank you for this! I already have significant hearing loss from other hobbies/situations. My molded plugs block nearly everything; they're like riding in a bubble. I haven't tried wax canal caps. I will be purchasing the plugs you've recommended using the link you provided. Thank you, again.
Slowing down on the Motorway makes a big difference too. The noise at 85 mph is a lot more than at 70 mph. If you're on a long trip it's tempting to go quickly but it's deafening even with earplugs.
I never ride without earplugs, perhaps if it's a very short ride I will. Currently I wear Surefire tactical earplugs and they're excellent. They are comfortable and provide two levels of sound dampening, with a filter that can be open or closed. On the closed setting it's almost too quiet. Open setting allows sound to pass through while lowering decibels. I did 13 hours on the bike yesterday comfortably wearing them. For $13 they were a steal.
Extremely good lesson, wish I had learned it in my younger years. Unfortunately I did a fair amount of riding with no hearing protection and no have lite, but permanent ringing in my ears...
Since I started riding more than 20 years ago, I use custom made soft silicone ear plugs with interchangeable sound filters, by Alpine. These are to me the most comfortable and form itself to the ear canal shape. Fits like a glove. Wind noise is heavily reduced, the special type of filtering leave the mid and low noises in tact like the exhaust sound and (just as important) traffic sounds (mainly horns and sirens). I even can talk to someone while my plugs are in and the helmet is on. Beside all the good things, there are some negatives; - like being expensive (approx. 100 Euro) and need to be renewed once they can be pulled out easily. This is due to the changing of the shape of the ear canal over time. In my case that's every 6-8 years. - before putting them in, my ear canal has to be clean of ear wax. If not, the was can clog up the plug hole and you hear nothing. - they're bouncy and can be lost easily, I carefully push them out and put them in a small mint tin, to keep them safe and protected from dirt. After every day of riding I spray a alcohol solution on the plugs to keep them clean and germ free.
Buy the roll ups in bulk, 1000 pair in one box-I buy mine at Northern Tool, and don't worry about cost! Use twice and toss 'em. Maybe the cheapest MC protection you'll ever see. I always wear them and have at least two extra pair in my kit at all times.
I use the pair in the aluminum case and the soft disposable ones. Both are pretty good. I like the disposable ones, they are not very expensive no big deal if you lose one(I carry several pairs). I have washed them in mild soap and water to get more uses out of them. Use what ever works for you but use something. I have a significant hearing loss due to years of noise exposure and it will never come back. Hopefully, I will preserve what hearing I have left. Ride safe!
My BMW doesn't generate 103db. However, I did invest in custom earplugs that were fitted to each ear. They look a lot like the second ones you show, only they're made from silicon. Then offer 28db protection. And riding, wind and engine/roid noise is now reduced to a quiet hum. I can hear my BT speakers and oncoming traffic fine though. The foam earplugs block almost no sound and they stick out of year ear so you lose them when removing your helmet. I also have a pair of the third variety you show, the christmas tree shaped ones. They're from France and they offer much, much less noise protection than the custom molded ones.
I bought the ear plugs you suggested and I love them, much better than the foam ear plugs I was using. I had the new SENA 20S EVO and had trouble hearing the FM radio. I returned the SENA units due to lack of distance with intercom. Strangely enough I don't miss the SENA units :) Excellent video thank you :)
Some Helmet and windshield combos can get you under 85db, but most will be over 85db. Shoei and Schuberth helmets are tested for noise level and several styles are under 85db even riding a naked bike.
Thanks for the review. Very good information! Perhaps like many, I have been relying on my helmet and windshield to cut the noise. I'll be ordering the earplugs you recommended today!
Good pointers. The Honeywell (pink & yellow) foam ear defenders are best of type about 15c/pair in Ireland just buy 100 at a time. But the very best solution I've found is Bose QC20 noise cancellation headsets. Two cons, expensive at approx e250/$275 and they just might be too darn good. I got a set from Bose on 30 day trial and did 90mph/150kmph on motorway to test while listening to music at approx 80% volume. At 60mph+ noise was noticeable but I could hear the music and vocals clearly regardless of speed. Without ear protection anything over 50mph is pretty unpleasant with my helmet & motorcycle. Love channel as I'm a newbie with lots to learn.
69 here, got back to riding at 64, wear disposables rated 32db but I think they actually block less and sometimes loosen, even fall out. I'm looking for better, considering active noise-cancelling $50 - $150 US. Always wear protection!
Thanks Kevin, I just ordered me a pair. Besides riding I also work around loud equipment all the time. I use the foam type at work but find them annoying. I have already lost a lot of my hearing and wish I had taken this more seriously when I was younger. I am trying to preserve what hearing I still have, I miss a lot of the sounds I used to enjoy.
Going to check out your suggestion, but just for others, if you want the regular foamies, they're 80 pair for $11 at the home improvement store. I keep a half dozen pair in a plastic box in my trunk.
Been using the foam earplugs. I already have a significant hearing loss and wear hearing aids. I try to protect what hearing I have left. So I know firsthand what you're talking about. (I lost my good hearing because of my job as a morse intercept operator in the US Army: no complaints, though.) Thank you, I ordered 3 sets of the new ones today (I'm going to give away a couple of them!).
Due to my shallow and odd shaped ear canals I am unable to use any of the "hi-tech" type earplugs. I had a set molded for me over 10 years ago at a bike show in Reno and they still work great today. I sure wish I could use the other type but they don't stay in, the helmet pulls them out when I put it on and they are just uncomfortable. Don't believe all those claims you hear about helmets such as the Schubert line and others claiming to be the most quiet, the wind noise still echoes inside of them. p.s. You'll need a lot more coffee and Red Bulls to even get close to Anthony. I hear he is normally that way, without caffeine! :-)
I have the "Etymotic High Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Universal Fit Hearing Protection" from Amazon. I like them. I can hear conversation, too, compared to the traditional 3 flange, silicone ones. I'm going to show my neighbor this video.
Foam earplugs can last longer if you clean them with isopropyl alcohol pads rather than water, which makes them swell. Also, roll compressing them, then moistening with a little saliva allows them to slip in the ear canal more smoothly for a tighter seal.
I've never worn ear plugs , I have always found them uncomfortable and dulling to my total awareness. And yes my ears do sing ! I would always recommend other people to try and use them . Nice vid ! I might even try again with the little black ones .
I'm using the foam ear plugs for 10 years, positive side: + more you push it in the ear, less you hear. Less you push in, more you hear (unlike other plugs) + you get them everywhere + because of low price, you can always keep extra pair with you, if you lose them, if you damage them, if you forget them you don't have to ride back ($60 for a pair, are you kidding me. Plus gas to drive back and waste time...) + because of costum shape it makes, passenger can use yours negative side: - they don't last forever - if they get dirty, you can't wash them (if they get wet-they expand too quick) -they don't come in cool, handy package
I've found even riding at like 40mph I can't hear the siren on an ambulance until it's within like 100 feet of me. Very scary. Will definitely be looking into purchasing these!
I am thinking of getting DeciBulls--they custom-mold to the ear, and work with or without earbuds, so I have the option of old-school wired audio. Blocking external noise allows you to turn the volume down on the audio and still hear it--much better for your hearing. The Shure SE 215 in-ear monitors (ie fancy earbuds) are a more expensive way to do the same thing, with great audio, if you can afford them.
I agree with Richard below. Foam type are cheap and easy. I also buy pkg of 100 only. I get many more uses than 3 times. Can keep spares in every bike and all my jackets. Mine are rated to reduce 32db as bought. The things can come in different levels of dB protection. 32db are the most I've seen. Depending on what style helmet I use in combo with a bike type, I learned that I can go from using a full 32db foam or cutting some off the fat end to allow more sound as required. This is a preference I do that works for me. A bit of trial and error to adjust sound levels but cheap to do. I haven't gone thru a 100 set pack yet in over 10 years. These foams are also washable. A bit of warm water with a couple drops of dish washing soap does the trick. Squeeze them to saturate, let stand for 15-30 min. Remove and rinse with clean water like any sponge and let fully dry. Put out in the sun for quicker drying if needed. Drys fully overnight anyways. Thanks Kevin for bringing this up. Back in the day, I mean 40ish years ago bikers didn't talk about things like this. Thanks to technology and communication media we now can share info and ideas easily and help others in huge quantities instantly that could not be done before we had these tools.
An extra advantage is, if you lose one or get them really dirty, you don't lose a load of money... just take another pair, they're fairly cheap anyway. :)
I use the disposable foam earplugs. You can buy different sound level ones. I find the ones I have seem to last a quite long. I bought a box of 20 for less than $10. They work perfect for me.
I've bought the Flare Isolate buds. They work well but the price is pretty insane for what you get - I cloned a pair on the lathe, bought memory foam buds on eBay for a dollar - made an identical set for way less than 2 dollars :) I do like the fact that I can turn down the Sena now to listen at the same apparent volume, I figure that's got to be good for me!
I bought some of those fitlife ear plugs you mentioned. They work great! I can hear the traffic around me, hear my exhaust, and Ive even turned down my intercom volume. it diminishes wind noise greatly! Sometimes I don't even take them off when I run into the store.
MCrider I was going to ask about the comfort. Also is the msf course state specific or can I take it in Texas and get my endorsement in my home state? Thanks
Thank you so much.... I'm buying them right now from your link. I definitely have a lot of hearing loss from years of riding so this should be great. Ty!!
Shure se-215 are a great set of headphones. They block a ton of sound externally. If you plug them into the Sena they'll be perfect. They are pricey, but well worth it.
I got custom made plugs with sound barriers so you can still talk to each other. Expensive but provided by the Dutch army in '06 for deployment to Afghanistan.
I think your comment should be "30 minutes riding MAY cause hearing loss". I won't say not to use them as plenty of riders like them but I could never get on with earplugs as I found wax compacted down my ears which eventually required syringed. Speaking as an ex courier of 30 years who had to hear radio communications and I've had no problems with loss of hearing since retirement.
I ride for an hour, then rest and an hour back. 100db that is in tolerance. I have used earplugs and not used them. If I'm going to be above 50mph for 40 min stretches I use them. My bike is quiet. I have noticed that I ride 10++mph faster with the plugs, as the motor and wind feedback are GONE. I'll see myself at 65 on a lonely road I usually ride at 50 because the ride is so quiet. I have to remind myself to look at my gauge more often. I don't know if I would hear a siren (they're pretty rare in my rural life) I don't hear cars behind me with the plugs.
Thank you for doing that review. I have the first two types of earplugs and was considering the third type. I will now buy them and give them a try ..thank you again for the review
LOL, great intro. I love RevZilla, l've had great experience with them. I've been buying foam earplugs in bulk for years because of my noisy job, Dump Truck, heavy equipment, Etc. Those silicon plugs look very interesting. Thanks for the tip.
Another good video. I wear earplugs every ride. And like you, I've taken off without them in, and stopped to put then in before getting too far. I currently wear the Hearos blue foam plugs and they work well. I've thought about the custom plugs, but the cost kept me from doing it. But I'm going to check out that third pair you showed. Thanks!
I could hear my engine and bluetooth through my foam style but hard to hear people that want to chat at a light ect. Going to try those amazon ones they seem like the best. Thanks!
Great video, I've been using something similar to the black one you just picked up and found them very good, If you push them in too far they will block out everything so you need to set them just right. I have ordered a set of the red plugs these you can drop them in hot water a shape them yourself to get that custom fit so waiting to so how they go when they show up....
Hey McRider! I really like the content you put out to help beginning riders and those who are looking to brush up/sharpen their skill set. I purchased the Schuberth C3 Pro helmet and I must say it is the quietest modular helmet out there. It's a warm helmet in the summer but for the features it offers it pays for itself in the long run. On longer rides I still wear ear plugs in conjunction with my C3 Pro. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and putting out comprehensive information. Rubber side down Moto brother, stay safe in your travels! 👍
I have the old C3 helmet, billed at the time and the Quietest helmet available. I've learned through the years that quiet helmets are over sold and you need good ear plugs for long runs over 50 mph. I think quiet helmets are great however even the C3 is not enough at highway speeds.
PHXGlock: Very true and I concur. Freeway/Highway speeds require ear plugs and especially if the individual is running aftermarket pipes with no catalitic converter. Rubber side down Moto brother, stay safe out there. 👍
I used them today for the first time .. they're just right for me. They block out the high frequency wind noise without blocking too much of the other sounds. It actually improves what I can hear through my bluetooth comm system.
Great Job Kevin, the Ear Plugs with the canister are already out of stock. What a salesman. Ill wait. they look like a good choice. What? Speak up, I have not used them yet.
Thanks again for talking about useful information. Have been wondering for sometime if ear plugs were a good idea.Going to try some disposable ones at first. Probably make riding even more enjoyable.
I'm thinking of surrounding my Bluetooth speakers with additional padding like they do with the type of headphones that cup your ears. A little donut shape specifically designed to press against the head area surrounding the ear may help. I hate wearing earplugs.
If anyone is looking for sound isolating headphones to use with a headset, Plugfones work pretty well for me. The came with both foam and silicone tips. With them, I don't have to have the Sena fighting to get sound out while earplugs strive to keep it out.
I've taken about 15 two to three week road trips. Always had a helmet, but no ear protection. Back in the day we never thought of it. The wind noise damaged my hearing. Leave it at that. Please, use ear plugs.
I ride with earplugs and with ear phones depending on the length of the ride. If it's just a short ride, I use ear plugs, if it's longer I need my music.
Earplugs make cycling so much more comfortable and will allow you to focus more on the ride. If you haven't gotten 'plugs, get them. You will be glad you did......
Earplugs on every ride - unless I pop to the shop which is only 2 miles away and roads are 30mph limited. Your choice of helmet makes a difference too as does wind protection on your bike. Keep safe out there guys!
I found some jelly like ear plugs from pharmacist which can mode into the shape of your ear canal and can be reused also they are cheap as 10$ 5 pairs.
I used your link to purchase the FitLife earplugs. I agree mostly with your assessment but have a few additional observations. While these are pretty comfortable and I can wear them longer than my custom molded plugs, my ears still get irritated after about 4 hours of wearing them (maybe I just have sensitive ear canals). Second, while they do an awesome job of virtually eliminating wind noise and I can hear the music from my Sena BT speakers pretty well, in intercom mode I have to turn up the volume so much to hear the other rider that the sound distorts. My custom molded plugs are molded around earbuds and definitely produce the best fidelity for music and intercom (I have the Sena helmet mount that allows me to use either the built in speakers or earbuds) and do a darned good job of cutting wind noise, but I can only wear them for about 2 hours before my ears are too irritated to continue wearing them. So neither of these plugs are ideal. I usually switch between them on a long ride. I just ordered a set of Comply memory foam earbud tips that were highly reviewed by FortNine. I haven't received them yet, but I will comment here after I get a chance to thoroughly test them.
Earplug update: I rode with the Comply memory foam earbud tips for about an hour yesterday. They do a great job of blocking wind noise and the sound from my Sena is awesome, BUT: they are not any more comfortable than my custom molded plugs and I can't see myself wearing them for more than about 2 hours, although this may have more to do with my earbuds than the Comply tips. They irritate my ears in a different place than the custom molded so at least I can switch them out when my ears get weary. The good news: I went down one size to medium with the FitLife plugs and wore them all day last weekend with no discomfort. They are more difficult to put in and remove since I have to push them further in the ear canal to get a seal and I still have to turn the volume up on my intercom to the point where the speakers distort making the other rider difficult to understand. Still searching for the best solution for me. I'll keep you posted.
Been riding for years and bought new Shoei helmet that has so much wind noise I cant stand it. Looking for ear plugs for loud wind noise. Thanks for the video.
Thank you sir, as well as the the good folks in here lending their recommendations as in the coming months I will be buying my very first Miata Roadster Soft top and I know I will need hearing protection as we. I will also check out Alpine Motorcycles plugs. Thanks 🙏 All!
I use a pair of silicon earplugs made by "LiveMus1c". I normally don't think about how much they reduce the wind noise but I went to lunch a few days ago and didn't feel like wearing them. The wind was loud enough I wished I had. (Did wear them on the way back.) Not sure what the db rating is but they have a string I can attach to ends so I all I have to do is pull the string to take them out, and I can leave them dangling around my neck if needed. The best investment I've made yet, in terms of riding enjoyment.
The problem with using protection is that u are not going to be aware of the hazards coming to you from behind or blind spots. My ears are my radar to perceive whatever I cannot see approaching so I prefer to not use them, I feel safer.
I use the third type you mentioned, the silicone ones and they are excellent. best plugs out there IMO. the case they came in lets me store a key as well while riding. different brand but same design, can still hear everything I need to but not the dangerous frequences, wind noise ect
Years back I was on a trip in CO with my girlfriend and she lost her money envelope on a twisty road next to a river. We discovered the loss, rode back and picked up the 100s scattered around the road! True story.
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Tinnitus is the long term effect of short term hearing damage. At first your ears only ring for a day or so after a long days ride but over time the ringing does not go away and your ears ring all the time. Sufferers with more severe tinnitus have trouble sleeping at night because of the noise in their head. There is no cure for tinnitus (no matter what the internet shillers claim). The best protection is to not suffer the hearing damage in the first place. The noise of the wind blowing over a helmet is equal to standing within fifty feet of a jet engine. Safety supply stores sell the foam plugs in bulk and you can find them for ten cents a pair or less. If someone comes up behind you and makes a loud noise your whole body will tense up as part of your physical reaction, when you ride all day without earplugs your body is in that tensed up state most of the day as it tries to ward off the excessive noise which is why its so much more tiring to ride without earplugs. Don't worry about reduced ambient noise hearing and rely on and use your eye sight instead. Light travels a lot faster than sound so you will see it long before you hear it.
I mostly agree with that, but there's more than one kind of tinnitus. One of the reasons why it's so hard to treat is that there's various different forms and some take treatment better than others do.
I've had it for nearly my entire life for neurological reasons and it has gone away for prolonged periods at points, but the kind you're talking about is essentially incurable as far as I know.
Rock concerts have played hell on my hearing. AC/DC caused my ears to ring for3 days.
I got tennitis right after surgery on my achillis tendon. Suddenly it was there. Particularly in my left ear.
I have been riding for 42 years, since 1985 (first trip across France) I have been using ear plugs, nearly all of my contemporarys have hearing damage, some quite severe.
Also been to some crap gigs where the ear plugs came in really handy!
I used to ride with 21db foam plugs which I consider adequate, recently started using
34db foam plugs and I prefer them now. I can feel the front end much better with the 34db
plugs, that sounds strange, but its true. I put it down to the brain having less unwanted
noise to process. I've never had an occaision with ear plugs where I failed to hear
something relevant to my safety. Ride Safe, Live Long.
Which one are those of 34 can you send me the name a d picture of those ?
Not only does wind noise damage your hearing, you also get tired a lot faster and it's harder to focus. I use Alpine motorcycle plugs. They are the same style and price as those last ones.
Thumbs up for Alpine MotoSafe from me too. They are slightly different shape to the ones in the video. I've found that some earplug and headphone styles fit my ears better than others, and the Alpines happen fit my ears well. I also like that the carrying case is small and soft and flat so I can keep it in one of the pockets of my jacket.
That's so true about staying comfortable and alert longer while wearing earplugs. My ability to cover large distances safely was vastly improved by wearing them. As a bonus, I'm less "amped" when I stop after a long day of riding and can get to sleep quicker.
Thank you, Kevin. I used to get these annoying headaches after about one hour of riding. Then I saw this video and tried riding with hearing protection.
I no longer get headaches and the ride is so much more enjoyable now, so I thank you for the advice.
Great advice that we don't think often about, and need to seriously consider and implement !! Thanks Kevin.
Hey Kevin, I'm a musician and mix soundtracks for movies as a living, so my ears are my life. To me the exhaust is less of a problem then the helmet. It's very hard to by a helmet and know how quiet it will be.No rating system for that. Wind noise plays a big part in causing hearing problems. My son is in the military so he gets me earplugs used on a shooting range. They work well but I feel a little out of touch with my surroundings. But thank you for raising a subject not many talk about.
Whenever I have a question about riding, Kevin has the answer. Amazing. Thanks, Kevin.
Thanks to Kevin for bringing this topic up.
As a musician and a rider, ear protection is very big on my mind. When I play my bass guitar, I often stand next to the over-zealous drummer, and you can be sure to see me with either an earplug or monitor ear-bud in my ear(s). I've used the foam types for riding, and have never looked into other options. I'm going to look into the FitLife plugs. One thing that we need to remember is that what you're trying to do is REDUCE the noise to an acceptable level - not to achieve SILENCE.
I recently started wearing the Nonoise motorsport earplugs. They are similar to the new black earplugs you purchased. These have a tuned ceramic filter that cuts wind and road noise while letting in some engine, exhaust, and surrounding noise we want to hear. Washable, and comes with an aluminum tube to store them. I love them. Cuts the noise, while letting more of the enjoyable exhaust sounds in. Cheap foam plugs don't compare. I find when I ride in town with no helmet (don't judge) that adding a neck gator or buff that covers my ears along with the plugs, it really makes the wind noise almost dissappear. Highway riding with a helmet and plugs is nice, but adding the neck gator is still even better. I don't listen to music while riding, because I find the time is great to be inside my own head, talking to God, and working out issues in life. Having less road noise is huge to protect my hearing, but it also helps unclutter my mind so I can concentrate better. Hope that makes me a slightly safer rider as well.
I get hearing tested at work yearly I went 9 years with no hearing loss then started riding w/ no earplugs for 5000 miles then next hearing test showed a loss in hearing at a certain frequency by just a little and I dont think it was coincidental. Now I'm used to riding with earplugs its more relaxing.
I bought a set of full custom silicon rubber plugs a few years back. They are always in my ears when riding and I never leave the house without them. You can encounter ear-damaging noise anywhere, like walking down the street and passing construction drills or emergency sirens or bikes and cars with race exhausts. I'd say go full custom, they'll last for years and in the long term they're probably cheaper than hundreds of disposable plugs, plus they save the environment from a pile of trash.
As a rider in Ohio, hearing protection is actually a frustrating subject. The manual used for MSF and permit licensing stresses the need for hearing protection. The law however contradicts this; a person is not permitted to wear anything obstructing their hearing while operating a motor vehicle. There is a state bill being put forward because many of us contacted our representatives about it.
www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA132-HB-280
Hopefully they fix this because I risk a minimum $100 fine if I am caught wearing ear plugs while riding.
Great topic! Lots of riders think that the hearing damage is only secondary to the wind noise but riding without ear plugs let's a combination of sounds that together create a high decibel noise. So, you wear them to protect your hearing from all the sound contamination in the environment. That chronic beautiful sound of your pipes on the road damages your inner ear. The wind is just part of that contamination. I wear them all the time I have the silicone ones since I was 21 because I use them to cut distraction while studying but hardly use them. I prefer the foam ones and use the Hearos that cut the most decibels (the blue fat ones) which I also bring into any concert, club, and Karaoke I go into because those are the highest decibel exposures you get. So, if you are a rider and on top you love being by the speakers at concerts of clubs... HELLO, HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME? I'M TALKING TO YOU. WEAR YOUR EAR PLUGS!! Do yourself a favor.
I use the disposable foam ones. You forget just how loud the wind noise is and how much it distracts/tires you until you're riding along and one of your earplugs dislodges!
That third kind of earplug works great for concerts as well. They attenuate the sound but still give you a good representation of the sound. You also don't have what I call a concert hangover the next day. I won't see live music without them anymore.
Just found your channel, and I really enjoy it. Very helpful tips on how to be a better rider. Your calm demeanor, and speed that you talk, just makes it enjoyable to listen to you. No doubt your faith contributed as well. Keep it up.
Thanks Nuna! :)
i finally wore them a couple of weeks ago to key west because last year I didn't and the rented Harley had my ears ringing. I wore them this year and I was still able to hear the music from the fairing and the navigation minus the wind noise. I felt so much better at the end of my rides.
I use ear plugs similar to the last set and they work well.
I tried a custom, do it your self kit that I bought at Cabela's. you mix epoxy put it in your ear and wait 15 min for it to dry. They were very comfortable but they wouldn't let my ears equalize going up and down the mountain.
Different helmets have very different noise levels, too. When I switched from an Arai to a Schubert helmet, I was amazed at how much more quiet riding was.
I bought the Shoei Neotec II for the same reasons. What a difference compared to my "old" Shark!
This video made the indecision to buy some a must buy. They arrived today. They are fantastic. THANKS Kevin
I bought the last ones you featured, Mine came with three inserts that allow you to set the level the noise you want to hear.
As a naked rider, this is something I am always on the lookout for (and when I'm clothed, too.... ZING!!). Currently I use Mack's silicone earplugs. They're cheap, block out almost everything, can mold to your ear, they stay in place, and I can use them numerous times. Menards and Home Debot carry them; not sure about Lowes.
HOWEVER, they take a few minutes to warm up and mold to your ear, might require a second try if you don't level the silicone to your ear for a proper seal (the helmet might catch it and pull it away, too), and requires a zip-loc bag or hard plastic case to cary around so as not to get them dirty.
Overall, though, I'm still really happy with them when compared to the others I've tried, and it's rare that I ever have to try a second time to refit them to my ear.
Alex Wishard you should probably put some clothes and gear on lol
Alex Wishard i
I ride nude once and nearly beat myself to death. It started flapping in the wind and............
I think CVS Walgreens and Walmart all carry these as well. I have never tried them myself though.
I don't even go down the road without earplugs.
I switched to a modular helmet, and that also gave me a huge increase of wind noise. I had to buy some hoods to fill a void in the helmet and stop wind that way.
My next step is going back to full face. But I also ride with glasses. So it is hard to find a good helmet. Contacts aren't a good option for me, because my eyes dry fast with them.
I'm glad you put this video out. I'll be looking at the attenuated plugs. I also ride with music. I find it cancels out some of the wind noise. Particularly on long rides or commutes out of the city. So those plugs should be really useful.
Thanks. I ordered a pair of earplugs with the filter. I like them much more than the foam earplugs. No wind noise and I can hear my music. Thanks again.
I am a professional musician (bass player/singer) and rider. For both environments I wear Etymotic ER-20s, now caller ETY High Fidelity plugs. Similar to your plug #3 but with a different hard plastic attenuator piece. Affordable, easily taken apart and washed, featherweight, last purt near forever. My music career would have been over from hearing damage if I hadn't found these things 25 years ago. They go in any time I am exposed to loud sound and they let enough highs through to sing and play in pitch and hear surrounding traffic noise, a must-have safety feature.
I'm looking for active noise cancelling. (I wear disposables rated 32db now.)
but 2 questions:
1. I'm looking for the active noise cancelling, not music. I don't play music on the bike (riding is fun by itself, I don't need music to distract, ymmv). But for every noise-cancelling ear device I see, the description is more about music highs and lows than about background noise cancelling. Many devices have a mic, too. I ride solo so I don't need a mic to talk to myself.
If device has a speaker, does setting volume affect how much it cancels?
2. How can I determine which of the many to buy? ($50 - $150). Anybody have a brand/model # they like?
I keep trying to get my husband to wear earplugs when we ride. I should just show him this Vid. Thanks!
What did you say?
UA-cam recommendations are priceless.. Yes thanks this make sense.. I did experience hearing loss after riding my bike at 120kmh speed windy day..
Thanks so much, Kevin. I've known for ages that I should be wearing earplugs for wind noise and you have now convinced me to act.
Looks like your recommended choice doesn't ship to Australia but I've found another similar product which I have now ordered. I don't miss any of your beaut vids. Goodonya!
Hi Kevin. Lovin' your channel. Excellent source for a 'know it all' like me! Been riding a 2001 Goldwing for 6 years now. You've clarified why I have found it necessary to wear earplugs from day 1, for as you say, it matters not what type of bike or helmet. I come to believe too that a full helmet can capture sound and reverberate from within, perhaps amplifying the excess noise that I figure must enter from below. Anyway, your Canadian rider fans might want to know, you can purchase pretty well identical earplugs, I think in the drum section of Long and Mcquade, under the brand name Zildjian for about $25 CDN. (Or as we Canadians like to joke, $10 US.) Much to envy on the American side. Absolutely love biking in your fantastic country!!
Those look exactly the same as the Eargasm plugs I recently bought and I really like them! I agree you can hear the Bluetooth clearer. I also really like that if I am stopping into a store or something I can leave the earplugs in and still hear people with them in.
This video is right on. I got tired of not being to hear ppl after a ride and so I've been using the Surefire EarPro Sonic Defender i found at Walmart for about 15 bucks for about 2 years. They block 99% of the wind noise, but still allow me to hear alot around me when riding. They also have an end piece that can be opened to allow more sound in if you want. The black tabs to make it easier to get out of your ear are removable.I find them really comfortable and they're washable too. I won't go back to riding without some type of protction
Update: Ordered. Secondly, in reading the description, these are also built for musicians. Some of my hearing loss is from drumming; it's hard to drum with earplugs for the same reasons it is on an MC. ...Game-changer!...
Sir, thank you for this! I already have significant hearing loss from other hobbies/situations. My molded plugs block nearly everything; they're like riding in a bubble. I haven't tried wax canal caps. I will be purchasing the plugs you've recommended using the link you provided. Thank you, again.
Slowing down on the Motorway makes a big difference too. The noise at 85 mph is a lot more than at 70 mph. If you're on a long trip it's tempting to go quickly but it's deafening even with earplugs.
As an amateur musician who values his hearing, I really appreciate your posting this topic. I'm ordering a pair of TheFitLife earplugs.
I never ride without earplugs, perhaps if it's a very short ride I will. Currently I wear Surefire tactical earplugs and they're excellent. They are comfortable and provide two levels of sound dampening, with a filter that can be open or closed. On the closed setting it's almost too quiet. Open setting allows sound to pass through while lowering decibels. I did 13 hours on the bike yesterday comfortably wearing them. For $13 they were a steal.
Extremely good lesson, wish I had learned it in my younger years. Unfortunately I did a fair amount of riding with no hearing protection and no have lite, but permanent ringing in my ears...
I use noise cancelling headphones with or without music. You can dial Io n the amount of suppression.
Been using Shure in earplugs for years, 35 decibel reduction plus I can hear my favorite tunes.. 🎧🎻🎸🎺🎷
man! i thought i would be called a pansy for wearing earplugs. what a relief to know everybody wears them and are recommended.
Since I started riding more than 20 years ago, I use custom made soft silicone ear plugs with interchangeable sound filters, by Alpine. These are to me the most comfortable and form itself to the ear canal shape. Fits like a glove. Wind noise is heavily reduced, the special type of filtering leave the mid and low noises in tact like the exhaust sound and (just as important) traffic sounds (mainly horns and sirens). I even can talk to someone while my plugs are in and the helmet is on.
Beside all the good things, there are some negatives;
- like being expensive (approx. 100 Euro) and need to be renewed once they can be pulled out easily. This is due to the changing of the shape of the ear canal over time. In my case that's every 6-8 years.
- before putting them in, my ear canal has to be clean of ear wax. If not, the was can clog up the plug hole and you hear nothing.
- they're bouncy and can be lost easily, I carefully push them out and put them in a small mint tin, to keep them safe and protected from dirt.
After every day of riding I spray a alcohol solution on the plugs to keep them clean and germ free.
Buy the roll ups in bulk, 1000 pair in one box-I buy mine at Northern Tool, and don't worry about cost! Use twice and toss 'em. Maybe the cheapest MC protection you'll ever see. I always wear them and have at least two extra pair in my kit at all times.
I use the pair in the aluminum case and the soft disposable ones. Both are pretty good. I like the disposable ones, they are not very expensive no big deal if you lose one(I carry several pairs). I have washed them in mild soap and water to get more uses out of them. Use what ever works for you but use something. I have a significant hearing loss due to years of noise exposure and it will never come back. Hopefully, I will preserve what hearing I have left. Ride safe!
My BMW doesn't generate 103db. However, I did invest in custom earplugs that were fitted to each ear. They look a lot like the second ones you show, only they're made from silicon. Then offer 28db protection. And riding, wind and engine/roid noise is now reduced to a quiet hum. I can hear my BT speakers and oncoming traffic fine though. The foam earplugs block almost no sound and they stick out of year ear so you lose them when removing your helmet. I also have a pair of the third variety you show, the christmas tree shaped ones. They're from France and they offer much, much less noise protection than the custom molded ones.
Thanks for taking the time to review and post this Kevin. Love your videos. Thanks.
I bought the ear plugs you suggested and I love them, much better than the foam ear plugs I was using. I had the new SENA 20S EVO and had trouble hearing the FM radio. I returned the SENA units due to lack of distance with intercom. Strangely enough I don't miss the SENA units :) Excellent video thank you :)
Ordered those plugs and boy we you right. Best pair I ever owned!
Some Helmet and windshield combos can get you under 85db, but most will be over 85db. Shoei and Schuberth helmets are tested for noise level and several styles are under 85db even riding a naked bike.
Thanks for the review. Very good information! Perhaps like many, I have been relying on my helmet and windshield to cut the noise. I'll be ordering the earplugs you recommended today!
McRider! Thank you for the ear plugs info. Sense I found your channel your advice as help me out as a new rider!,
Good pointers. The Honeywell (pink & yellow) foam ear defenders are best of type about 15c/pair in Ireland just buy 100 at a time. But the very best solution I've found is Bose QC20 noise cancellation headsets. Two cons, expensive at approx e250/$275 and they just might be too darn good. I got a set from Bose on 30 day trial and did 90mph/150kmph on motorway to test while listening to music at approx 80% volume. At 60mph+ noise was noticeable but I could hear the music and vocals clearly regardless of speed. Without ear protection anything over 50mph is pretty unpleasant with my helmet & motorcycle. Love channel as I'm a newbie with lots to learn.
It's a real shame Amazon will not ship to Australia, love your videos, now 72 and still riding
69 here, got back to riding at 64, wear disposables rated 32db but I think they actually block less and sometimes loosen, even fall out. I'm looking for better, considering active noise-cancelling $50 - $150 US. Always wear protection!
Thanks Kevin, I just ordered me a pair. Besides riding I also work around loud equipment all the time. I use the foam type at work but find them annoying. I have already lost a lot of my hearing and wish I had taken this more seriously when I was younger. I am trying to preserve what hearing I still have, I miss a lot of the sounds I used to enjoy.
Going to check out your suggestion, but just for others, if you want the regular foamies, they're 80 pair for $11 at the home improvement store. I keep a half dozen pair in a plastic box in my trunk.
Been using the foam earplugs. I already have a significant hearing loss and wear hearing aids. I try to protect what hearing I have left. So I know firsthand what you're talking about. (I lost my good hearing because of my job as a morse intercept operator in the US Army: no complaints, though.) Thank you, I ordered 3 sets of the new ones today (I'm going to give away a couple of them!).
Due to my shallow and odd shaped ear canals I am unable to use any of the "hi-tech" type earplugs. I had a set molded for me over 10 years ago at a bike show in Reno and they still work great today. I sure wish I could use the other type but they don't stay in, the helmet pulls them out when I put it on and they are just uncomfortable. Don't believe all those claims you hear about helmets such as the Schubert line and others claiming to be the most quiet, the wind noise still echoes inside of them. p.s. You'll need a lot more coffee and Red Bulls to even get close to Anthony. I hear he is normally that way, without caffeine! :-)
I have the "Etymotic High Fidelity Earplugs, ER20XS Universal Fit Hearing Protection" from Amazon. I like them. I can hear conversation, too, compared to the traditional 3 flange, silicone ones.
I'm going to show my neighbor this video.
Foam earplugs can last longer if you clean them with isopropyl alcohol pads rather than water, which makes them swell.
Also, roll compressing them, then moistening with a little saliva allows them to slip in the ear canal more smoothly for a tighter seal.
I've never worn ear plugs , I have always found them uncomfortable and dulling to my total awareness. And yes my ears do sing !
I would always recommend other people to try and use them . Nice vid ! I might even try again with the little black ones .
I'm using the foam ear plugs for 10 years, positive side:
+ more you push it in the ear, less you hear. Less you push in, more you hear (unlike other plugs)
+ you get them everywhere
+ because of low price, you can always keep extra pair with you, if you lose them, if you damage them, if you forget them you don't have to ride back ($60 for a pair, are you kidding me. Plus gas to drive back and waste time...)
+ because of costum shape it makes, passenger can use yours
negative side:
- they don't last forever
- if they get dirty, you can't wash them (if they get wet-they expand too quick)
-they don't come in cool, handy package
I've found even riding at like 40mph I can't hear the siren on an ambulance until it's within like 100 feet of me. Very scary. Will definitely be looking into purchasing these!
I am thinking of getting DeciBulls--they custom-mold to the ear, and work with or without earbuds, so I have the option of old-school wired audio. Blocking external noise allows you to turn the volume down on the audio and still hear it--much better for your hearing. The Shure SE 215 in-ear monitors (ie fancy earbuds) are a more expensive way to do the same thing, with great audio, if you can afford them.
I agree with Richard below. Foam type are cheap and easy. I also buy pkg of 100 only. I get many more uses than 3 times. Can keep spares in every bike and all my jackets. Mine are rated to reduce 32db as bought. The things can come in different levels of dB protection. 32db are the most I've seen. Depending on what style helmet I use in combo with a bike type, I learned that I can go from using a full 32db foam or cutting some off the fat end to allow more sound as required. This is a preference I do that works for me. A bit of trial and error to adjust sound levels but cheap to do. I haven't gone thru a 100 set pack yet in over 10 years. These foams are also washable. A bit of warm water with a couple drops of dish washing soap does the trick. Squeeze them to saturate, let stand for 15-30 min. Remove and rinse with clean water like any sponge and let fully dry. Put out in the sun for quicker drying if needed. Drys fully overnight anyways. Thanks Kevin for bringing this up. Back in the day, I mean 40ish years ago bikers didn't talk about things like this. Thanks to technology and communication media we now can share info and ideas easily and help others in huge quantities instantly that could not be done before we had these tools.
An extra advantage is, if you lose one or get them really dirty, you don't lose a load of money... just take another pair, they're fairly cheap anyway. :)
I use the disposable foam earplugs. You can buy different sound level ones. I find the ones I have seem to last a quite long. I bought a box of 20 for less than $10. They work perfect for me.
I have a pair of No Noise Motorsport earplugs and they work great
I wear earplugs whenever and wherever I am exposed to loud noises. Started early age mowing lawns. Now that I'm retired I still have my hearing.
I've bought the Flare Isolate buds. They work well but the price is pretty insane for what you get - I cloned a pair on the lathe, bought memory foam buds on eBay for a dollar - made an identical set for way less than 2 dollars :) I do like the fact that I can turn down the Sena now to listen at the same apparent volume, I figure that's got to be good for me!
I bought some of those fitlife ear plugs you mentioned. They work great! I can hear the traffic around me, hear my exhaust, and Ive even turned down my intercom volume. it diminishes wind noise greatly! Sometimes I don't even take them off when I run into the store.
+Sal O Glad you like them. They are very comfortable under a helmet. www.MCrider.com/earplugs
MCrider I was going to ask about the comfort. Also is the msf course state specific or can I take it in Texas and get my endorsement in my home state? Thanks
I liked the intro, Anthony at revzilla would be proud of you! Makes sense to wear ear plugs, going to get some right away👍
Thank you so much.... I'm buying them right now from your link. I definitely have a lot of hearing loss from years of riding so this should be great. Ty!!
Shure se-215 are a great set of headphones. They block a ton of sound externally. If you plug them into the Sena they'll be perfect. They are pricey, but well worth it.
I got custom made plugs with sound barriers so you can still talk to each other. Expensive but provided by the Dutch army in '06 for deployment to Afghanistan.
I think your comment should be "30 minutes riding MAY cause hearing loss".
I won't say not to use them as plenty of riders like them but I could never get on with earplugs as I found wax compacted down my ears which eventually required syringed. Speaking as an ex courier of 30 years who had to hear radio communications and I've had no problems with loss of hearing since retirement.
Great advice! Compounded hearing loss will most likely impair riding ability down the road as hearing contributes to balance. BTW, great intro!!
I ride for an hour, then rest and an hour back. 100db that is in tolerance. I have used earplugs and not used them. If I'm going to be above 50mph for 40 min stretches I use them.
My bike is quiet. I have noticed that I ride 10++mph faster with the plugs, as the motor and wind feedback are GONE. I'll see myself at 65 on a lonely road I usually ride at 50 because the ride is so quiet. I have to remind myself to look at my gauge more often.
I don't know if I would hear a siren (they're pretty rare in my rural life) I don't hear cars behind me with the plugs.
Thank you for doing that review. I have the first two types of earplugs and was considering the third type. I will now buy them and give them a try ..thank you again for the review
I always use ear plugs. Always. It is part of ATGATT for me.
LOL, great intro. I love RevZilla, l've had great experience with them. I've been buying foam earplugs in bulk for years because of my noisy job, Dump Truck, heavy equipment, Etc. Those silicon plugs look very interesting. Thanks for the tip.
Another good video. I wear earplugs every ride. And like you, I've taken off without them in, and stopped to put then in before getting too far. I currently wear the Hearos blue foam plugs and they work well. I've thought about the custom plugs, but the cost kept me from doing it. But I'm going to check out that third pair you showed. Thanks!
I could hear my engine and bluetooth through my foam style but hard to hear people that want to chat at a light ect. Going to try those amazon ones they seem like the best. Thanks!
Great video, I've been using something similar to the black one you just picked up and found them very good, If you push them in too far they will block out everything so you need to set them just right. I have ordered a set of the red plugs these you can drop them in hot water a shape them yourself to get that custom fit so waiting to so how they go when they show up....
Hey McRider! I really like the content you put out to help beginning riders and those who are looking to brush up/sharpen their skill set. I purchased the Schuberth C3 Pro helmet and I must say it is the quietest modular helmet out there. It's a warm helmet in the summer but for the features it offers it pays for itself in the long run. On longer rides I still wear ear plugs in conjunction with my C3 Pro. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and putting out comprehensive information. Rubber side down Moto brother, stay safe in your travels! 👍
I have the old C3 helmet, billed at the time and the Quietest helmet available. I've learned through the years that quiet helmets are over sold and you need good ear plugs for long runs over 50 mph. I think quiet helmets are great however even the C3 is not enough at highway speeds.
PHXGlock: Very true and I concur. Freeway/Highway speeds require ear plugs and especially if the individual is running aftermarket pipes with no catalitic converter. Rubber side down Moto brother, stay safe out there. 👍
Thanks Kevin .. I've been wanting to do something about hearing protection. I ordered the ones from Amazon using your link.
Thanks Greg, I think you will be happy with them.
I used them today for the first time .. they're just right for me. They block out the high frequency wind noise without blocking too much of the other sounds. It actually improves what I can hear through my bluetooth comm system.
You can try Decibullz molded earplugs as well. Just drop them in hot water and then mold them to your ear...
Great Job Kevin, the Ear Plugs with the canister are already out of stock. What a salesman. Ill wait. they look like a good choice. What? Speak up, I have not used them yet.
Thanks again for talking about useful information. Have been wondering for sometime if ear plugs were a good idea.Going to try some disposable ones at first. Probably make riding even more enjoyable.
I'm thinking of surrounding my Bluetooth speakers with additional padding like they do with the type of headphones that cup your ears. A little donut shape specifically designed to press against the head area surrounding the ear may help. I hate wearing earplugs.
If anyone is looking for sound isolating headphones to use with a headset, Plugfones work pretty well for me. The came with both foam and silicone tips. With them, I don't have to have the Sena fighting to get sound out while earplugs strive to keep it out.
I've taken about 15 two to three week road trips. Always had a helmet, but no ear protection. Back in the day we never thought of it. The wind noise damaged my hearing. Leave it at that. Please, use ear plugs.
I ride with earplugs and with ear phones depending on the length of the ride. If it's just a short ride, I use ear plugs, if it's longer I need my music.
Earplugs make cycling so much more comfortable and will allow you to focus more on the ride. If you haven't gotten 'plugs, get them. You will be glad you did......
Earplugs on every ride - unless I pop to the shop which is only 2 miles away and roads are 30mph limited. Your choice of helmet makes a difference too as does wind protection on your bike. Keep safe out there guys!
I found some jelly like ear plugs from pharmacist which can mode into the shape of your ear canal and can be reused also they are cheap as 10$ 5 pairs.
I used your link to purchase the FitLife earplugs. I agree mostly with your assessment but have a few additional observations. While these are pretty comfortable and I can wear them longer than my custom molded plugs, my ears still get irritated after about 4 hours of wearing them (maybe I just have sensitive ear canals). Second, while they do an awesome job of virtually eliminating wind noise and I can hear the music from my Sena BT speakers pretty well, in intercom mode I have to turn up the volume so much to hear the other rider that the sound distorts. My custom molded plugs are molded around earbuds and definitely produce the best fidelity for music and intercom (I have the Sena helmet mount that allows me to use either the built in speakers or earbuds) and do a darned good job of cutting wind noise, but I can only wear them for about 2 hours before my ears are too irritated to continue wearing them. So neither of these plugs are ideal. I usually switch between them on a long ride. I just ordered a set of Comply memory foam earbud tips that were highly reviewed by FortNine. I haven't received them yet, but I will comment here after I get a chance to thoroughly test them.
Thanks Noel, I would like to hear what you think of the new plugs.
Earplug update: I rode with the Comply memory foam earbud tips for about an hour yesterday. They do a great job of blocking wind noise and the sound from my Sena is awesome, BUT: they are not any more comfortable than my custom molded plugs and I can't see myself wearing them for more than about 2 hours, although this may have more to do with my earbuds than the Comply tips. They irritate my ears in a different place than the custom molded so at least I can switch them out when my ears get weary.
The good news: I went down one size to medium with the FitLife plugs and wore them all day last weekend with no discomfort. They are more difficult to put in and remove since I have to push them further in the ear canal to get a seal and I still have to turn the volume up on my intercom to the point where the speakers distort making the other rider difficult to understand. Still searching for the best solution for me. I'll keep you posted.
Been riding for years and bought new Shoei helmet that has so much wind noise I cant stand it. Looking for ear plugs for loud wind noise. Thanks for the video.
Thank you sir, as well as the the good folks in here lending their recommendations as in the coming months I will be buying my very first Miata Roadster Soft top and I know I will need hearing protection as we. I will also check out Alpine Motorcycles plugs. Thanks 🙏 All!
I use a pair of silicon earplugs made by "LiveMus1c". I normally don't think about how much they reduce the wind noise but I went to lunch a few days ago and didn't feel like wearing them. The wind was loud enough I wished I had. (Did wear them on the way back.) Not sure what the db rating is but they have a string I can attach to ends so I all I have to do is pull the string to take them out, and I can leave them dangling around my neck if needed. The best investment I've made yet, in terms of riding enjoyment.
The problem with using protection is that u are not going to be aware of the hazards coming to you from behind or blind spots. My ears are my radar to perceive whatever I cannot see approaching so I prefer to not use them, I feel safer.
I use the third type you mentioned, the silicone ones and they are excellent. best plugs out there IMO. the case they came in lets me store a key as well while riding. different brand but same design, can still hear everything I need to but not the dangerous frequences, wind noise ect
So far I really like mine as well.
Years back I was on a trip in CO with my girlfriend and she lost her money envelope on a twisty road next to a river. We discovered the loss, rode back and picked up the 100s scattered around the road! True story.