Do you protect your hearing while riding?
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- coffeekittie
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Do you protect your hearing while riding?
I've seen over and over again online, discussions from long-time MC riders about their hearing loss from wind/traffic noises. Even in my MSF class, the instructor highly recommended using earplugs to protect our hearing, and described the constant ringing that he experiences. Not being one to turn down the chance for a new present tto myself, I found these: http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx . Pretty great item - I can listen to my mp3s while riding, but can't hear the wind whistling by. I *can* still hear sirens, horns, etc, so I believe they are safe to use. The smaller size makes them comfortable to wear
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- MikieTaps
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- newslinky
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Yeah I either use my ipod earbuds when listening to music or your generic run of the mill super soft earplugs that can be picked up at shops like Cycle Gear for a few bucks for a couple dozen. The ipod earbuds do a real nice job blocking out the wind and traffic noise even when not playing music though that only happens when in between songs.
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- Kaos
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- rickko
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With hundreds of thousands of miles in the wind over the years I've found if I expect to ride on a freeway for more than 30 mins continuous it is more comfortable to wear earplugs.
Otherwise I never do around town (scooter) or for freeway trips (m/c) less than 30 miles.
One time years ago I forgot or didn't have any plugs and rode over 600 freeway miles one day on a m/c w/only a beanie helment, probably averaging 65-70mph. That evening my ears were in pain! Yes, pain.
Any sound was painful and very blurry. I never experienced anything like it before. I had to go to bed. It took that night to clear up.
I'm over 60 now but so far I haven't noticed any significant loss of hearing. But it is hereditary and my grandfather & father both lost some of their hearing as they aged so I expect I eventually will also.
I do have mild tinnitus (ringing in ears). It could be from lots of unprotected riding over the past 44 years or could be part of my gene inheritance or a combination of both.
Cheers!
..rickko..
Otherwise I never do around town (scooter) or for freeway trips (m/c) less than 30 miles.
One time years ago I forgot or didn't have any plugs and rode over 600 freeway miles one day on a m/c w/only a beanie helment, probably averaging 65-70mph. That evening my ears were in pain! Yes, pain.
Any sound was painful and very blurry. I never experienced anything like it before. I had to go to bed. It took that night to clear up.
I'm over 60 now but so far I haven't noticed any significant loss of hearing. But it is hereditary and my grandfather & father both lost some of their hearing as they aged so I expect I eventually will also.
I do have mild tinnitus (ringing in ears). It could be from lots of unprotected riding over the past 44 years or could be part of my gene inheritance or a combination of both.
Cheers!
..rickko..
Last edited by rickko on Sun Aug 24, 2008 3:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Alix B
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The thing with hearing is you only loose it. YOu don't get it back.
I also use my Ipod earbuds, with music pumping through.
Wouldn't listen to music in a city-only on the wide open road.
I HIGHLY recommend earplugs and a good, expensive helmet. I rode with a Fulmer last year and a Z1r Stance this year. The Z1R was better at blocking sound and it is an affordable price.
After the 22k mile ride, I've noticed a decline in my hearing. It sucks. I didn't always use the earplugs and I should have. People tried to warn me.
It took getting off the bike one day, having ridden 200 with another 100 to go, and feeling dizzy. I shook my head back and forth and could hear a "whaaaaant whaaaaant whaaaaaaa" sound in my ears. Basically, driving without earplugs is like listening to a seashell.
I realized not wearing the earplugs wasn't just affecting my hearing, but my balance as well.
Thats my 2cents.
I also use my Ipod earbuds, with music pumping through.
Wouldn't listen to music in a city-only on the wide open road.
I HIGHLY recommend earplugs and a good, expensive helmet. I rode with a Fulmer last year and a Z1r Stance this year. The Z1R was better at blocking sound and it is an affordable price.
After the 22k mile ride, I've noticed a decline in my hearing. It sucks. I didn't always use the earplugs and I should have. People tried to warn me.
It took getting off the bike one day, having ridden 200 with another 100 to go, and feeling dizzy. I shook my head back and forth and could hear a "whaaaaant whaaaaant whaaaaaaa" sound in my ears. Basically, driving without earplugs is like listening to a seashell.
I realized not wearing the earplugs wasn't just affecting my hearing, but my balance as well.
Thats my 2cents.
- Lil Buddy
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- schlagle
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I would HIGHLY recommend noise protection for any sustained high speed riding. You will damge your hearing with prolonged exposure to loud noise.
I personally use these plugged into my mp3 player, which is also my cell phone.
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6.aspx
They block 30 db of sound and have great sound quality.
I personally use these plugged into my mp3 player, which is also my cell phone.
http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6.aspx
They block 30 db of sound and have great sound quality.
- Missa
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- olhogrider
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- coffeekittie
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I thought about getting earplug/earphones I could plug into my player, but the cost was prohibitive - the Skullcandy look interesting though - might have to give those a shot.
The reason I went with the BabyBlues from Etymotic is I wear them no matter if I'm listening to music or not - don't have to change thing out - and turning up the tunes a bit won't damage my hearing, while the background noice is always much reduced.
I find my ears are sensitive anytime I drive around 45mpg+ for any length of time, so I wear them a lot. Tinnitus doesn't *sound* fun
The reason I went with the BabyBlues from Etymotic is I wear them no matter if I'm listening to music or not - don't have to change thing out - and turning up the tunes a bit won't damage my hearing, while the background noice is always much reduced.
I find my ears are sensitive anytime I drive around 45mpg+ for any length of time, so I wear them a lot. Tinnitus doesn't *sound* fun
"There are two means of refuge from the misery of life - music and cats."
- Albert Schweitzer
See me and my cool cats at www.justcatshotel.com
www.olygeek.com
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- Gen. Magnus
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For all of you that use an MP3 player while riding, do you feel there are any safety concerns do to the player's use? Also, isn't this illegal in most states? I'm nearly 100% sure it is in mine, Missouri.
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Earplugs/Earphones are illegal in Virginia if you have them in both ears.
from the Virginia DMV web site:
# It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle, moped or bicycle on Virginia roadways while using earphones or headphones in both ears.
from the Virginia DMV web site:
# It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle, moped or bicycle on Virginia roadways while using earphones or headphones in both ears.
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- newslinky
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Just pointing out that according to the letter of the law quoted here earplugs are not mentioned. Earphones and headphones are but not earplugs so if you plug both ears and get cited it would stand up in court that youhad not broken any law. (Unless of course there is another law forbidding the use of earplugs in both ears.SaltyDog wrote:Earplugs/Earphones are illegal in Virginia if you have them in both ears.
from the Virginia DMV web site:
# It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle, moped or bicycle on Virginia roadways while using earphones or headphones in both ears.
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- olhogrider
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- rickko
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Earbud ticket in CA story.
Once upon a time I did an illegal U-turn exiting after a stadium sporting event. So happens the local LEO's were right there to see it. One of them jumped in his cruiser and chased me through heavy traffic. I figured I could split lanes and get away in the heavy traffic but I forgot, they have a red light and siren so he split through the traffic like Moses split the Red Sea.
Long story short, he caught up to me and pulled me over. Then asked why I didn't pull over sooner. I lied saying, "I couldn't hear him because I had my earbuds in" (under my helmet). I didn't know it was illegal.
The good news, he was so mad he ticketed me for the earbuds and FORGOT to write the Illegal U-turn ticket. Whew!!!! I lucked out 'cause the earbud ticket didn't impact my insurance. The U-turn one might have (and would certainly be more expensive.
..rickko..
Once upon a time I did an illegal U-turn exiting after a stadium sporting event. So happens the local LEO's were right there to see it. One of them jumped in his cruiser and chased me through heavy traffic. I figured I could split lanes and get away in the heavy traffic but I forgot, they have a red light and siren so he split through the traffic like Moses split the Red Sea.
Long story short, he caught up to me and pulled me over. Then asked why I didn't pull over sooner. I lied saying, "I couldn't hear him because I had my earbuds in" (under my helmet). I didn't know it was illegal.
The good news, he was so mad he ticketed me for the earbuds and FORGOT to write the Illegal U-turn ticket. Whew!!!! I lucked out 'cause the earbud ticket didn't impact my insurance. The U-turn one might have (and would certainly be more expensive.
..rickko..
Ride it like you enjoy it!
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- olhogrider
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