Story on ear plugs and how some states ban them.

[steven c]

 Story on NPR on hearing loss and how some states ban ear plugs. The interesting thing is the comments fro non riders who think we all ride loud bikes with straight pipes and of course it the loud pipe save lives crowd gets into it. The story was about hearing loss do to wind noise, not loud pipes.
 http://www.npr.org/2015/07/24/425978759/motorcyclists-challenge-state-laws-banning-use-of-earplugs

[Lannis]

I worry the same about "no ear plug" laws as I worry about being ticketed because I don't have a DOT sticker on my helmet ... in other words, it's not something that I'll ever be stopped or ticketed for.

I always wear custom-molded earplugs with a molded wave-guide in them so that the high-frequency wind noise is blocked out, but I can still hear normal speech.   The "loud pipe" guys are a nuisance that make the rest of us look bad and make the non-riding-public dislike us, but there's not much I can do about it, so I treat them like noisy children with an attention-getting clothespin in the spokes of their Schwinn ..... and wish they'd go away.

Lannis

[NC Steve]

I can barely not ride without ear plugs. They have become as natural to me as putting on a helmet and gloves.
The wind noise is very tiring, and I'm able to ride much farther and more comfortably.
And, I can hear everything I need to just fine.

I also have 2 friends who have never worn plugs, and any conversation with them requires me yelling, and them yelling back.
I hate to be in some place like at a restaurant with either of them 

[canuguzzi]

If the copper can see my earplugs though my helmet go for it. Watch out, they might want to regulate wind noise.

http://www.colourbanner.com.au/uploads/4/2/5/5/42551311/s122453164132163013_p2_i1_w1280.jpeg

[guzziownr]

There should be accompanying legislation to make sure people in cars and trucks ride with the windows rolled down, for safety!

Then the BMW cars would not need to pipe in "engine sound" to the ultra quiet cabin.

[canuguzzi]

Lannis, where did you get them and what was the cost?

[sib]

There should be accompanying legislation to make sure people in cars and trucks ride with the windows rolled down, for safety!

Then the BMW cars would not need to pipe in "engine sound" to the ultra quiet cabin.

Your last statement isn't far from reality.  Recent Prius cars emit an engine-like sound at low speed when the engine isn't running, to alert pedestrians to the approach of the otherwise silent car.

I always use foam earplugs under my modular (Shoei Neotec) helmet.  In my opinion, the degree of sound attenuation, compared to the sound level without helmet or earplugs, is comparable to the difference between driving a car with the windows rolled up vs rolled down.  I'm not worried about getting busted for wearing earplugs.  If a cop wants to bust you, (s)he will find an excuse, like the well-known "intermittent tail light" ploy.  In general, in my state (RI) helmeted riders are treated with a lot of respect, by both the police and general public.  Unhelmeted, loud-piped, ape-hangered, leather-vested chopper riders, less so.

[Arizona Wayne]

Leave it to NPR to bring up a non-issue for 99.9% of MC riders. 

[rodekyll]

I read the article twice.  It says nothing.  There is no useful information in it at all, except the datoid that Ohio doesn't allow earplugs.  Useful information would have included a list of other states that don't allow them, and a cross-reference to the list of helmet-mandate states to see where the overlap/gaps are.  They could have discussed folks with loud stereos in their cars, music earplugs, etc and how that noise/distraction compares to m/c wind noise.  They could have named the "one" helmet company who recommends earplugs.  They could have gotten that carload of PHd students to whip out some stats on earplugs v fatalities . . . .   So many things would have made this an informational article instead of a group of non-riders pissing in a puddle and calling it rain.

Total waste of bandwidth.

$0.02

[Lannis]

Lannis, where did you get them and what was the cost?

Went to my Audiologist.   She did a hearing test (which showed that I had about a 25% hearing loss at the 4K Hz frequency where the "wind noise" is, and pretty much normal hearing everywhere else).   

You can't get lost hearing capability back, so she made me a set of molded plugs with a passage cast in the middle which is of a size that won't pass the 4K Hz noise, but will allow me to hear voices etc, and best of all I don't feel like a deep-sea diver in a helmet, isolated from the rest of the world.   Regular plugs make me dizzy.

I think the total was about $85 for the hearing test, and $90 to make the earplugs, so $175 or so total.    I thought I had lost the set once, so I had another made, then found the first set, so I have two sets now and that's very convenient.   They're on a cord and have a little plastic container to store them in.

Lannis

[kirb]

Lannis, where did you get them and what was the cost?

I have a pair from Westone: https://www.westone.com/hhc/index.php/earpieces-and-the-ear/recreational-earpieces
You can get motorcycle specific ones (the 4RT) or the type that drop db across the entire frequency range (type 49)

I have the type 49 with the 15db filter and LOVE them. I have in-helmet speakers which work very well with these. I can also elect to remove the 15db filters and put solid plugs in, but they are far too quiet that way. I also use these at concerts. Very well made, audiologist makes a cast of your ear and fits them when they come in ~$150. I wouldn't get the clear ones again...order ones you can see easily when you drop them.

I liked them enough to get the GF a set of the 4RT for the bike (and my snoring)

[Groover]

The earplugs described by Lannis I believe are also called Musicians Earplugs. They are definitely a great investment. I also use them and I also use the foam ones cut in half a lot.

I live in Ohio, and I'll be wearing earplugs even if illegal. I think there is a link somewhere on this forum that shows all states. I'm pretty sure I participated in that thread, so let me see if I can find it...


Edit 1: Here it is: Click on your state:

http://americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/State-Laws.aspx


Edit 2: Link to Musicians Earplugs:

http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/hearing-protection/erme.html

[canuguzzi]

Good info. Being able to hear conversation through plugs is a good thing, I have tinnitus that at times makes me ask others if they hear it so complete silence is tough. Thanks Lannis and others. I really need to try some. The roll up sponge styles just stop most everything and then all I hear is the inside of a monks temple or the gong show.

What?

[lorazepam]

I was going to start a thread on something similar, about being totally deaf with earplugs in. I wear hearing aids, and if I put in plugs when riding, I cannot hear the engine, or any emergency vehicles.
It is a difficult choice for me to not wear earplugs, as it is going to contribute to killing off what little hearing I have left.
I too have a custom set of plugs, but only wear them when shooting along with a set of muffs.

[guzziownr]

Your last statement isn't far from reality.

All my statements are at least BASED in reality:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/faking-it-engine-sound-enhancement-explained-tech-dept

"  (BMW) M division engineers discovered that the F10 chassis, like that of so many other new cars these days, is so effective at insulating the cabin from road and engine noise that the M5 lost one of the characteristics that made the previous two iterations such visceral thrills to let off the leash: its bark. To give the driver a better feel for the engine, an exterior recording of the M5’s motor plays through the car’s stereo. The precise sample is determined by engine load and rpm. Some of the real engine notes are still audible to the driver, so the recording is more of a backing track. BMW says the setup helps the driver shift by ear and reduces the chances of bumping the rev limiter when using the full rpm range."

[sib]

All my statements are at least BASED in reality:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/faking-it-engine-sound-enhancement-explained-tech-dept

"  (BMW) M division engineers discovered that the F10 chassis, like that of so many other new cars these days, is so effective at insulating the cabin from road and engine noise that the M5 lost one of the characteristics that made the previous two iterations such visceral thrills to let off the leash: its bark. To give the driver a better feel for the engine, an exterior recording of the M5�s motor plays through the car�s stereo. The precise sample is determined by engine load and rpm. Some of the real engine notes are still audible to the driver, so the recording is more of a backing track. BMW says the setup helps the driver shift by ear and reduces the chances of bumping the rev limiter when using the full rpm range."

Sorry, no dissing intended.  Your description reminds me of when I was (much) younger and put playing cards through the spokes of my bicycles to make a "motorcycle" sound as I pedaled.  I'm sure it added to the power of the bike.

[LowRyter]

ATGATT include ear plugs. 

[not-fishing]

After more than a decade of rifle and pistol match shooting along with all the practice I use ear plugs or muffs religiously.

For the Guzzi I like the sonic defenders.  I got a few pair and just clean them with alcohol every so often. 

The ritual is jacket, ears, helmet, glasses and gloves.  Sure I can't hear much with the plugs in butt that's what I want.

[krglorioso]

Lannis notes that "You can't get lost hearing capability back", but that has changed in recent years with stem cell research.  It appears possible to re-generate the tiny hairs in the cochlea with the introduction of stem cells.  Such research is being conducted at Harvard, Stanford, Univ. of Southern CA, and others. 

I suppose I'll resort to an ear trumpet before I get hearing aids and am watching the outcome of stem cell research.  This technique also re-generates hair on the head, so there is hope for many of us on two fronts.

Ralph

[cookiemech]

I've been stopped by LEOs more than once, and after removing my helmet, removed my (illegal in PA) earplugs. Never once has an officer even commented on them. Being polite has also prevented more than one ticket. Also had a conversation with a local police chief about the earplugs. He waved his hand dismissively and said that it simply isn't an issue to the police, who have a lot more to worry about than whether motorcyclists use "illegal" earplugs.

[Gliderjohn]

Asked a Kansas state trooper about plugs. Not illegal in Kansas but he said just be sure you can still hear emergency vehicles. Significant fines for not giving way. Unless I am just going a few miles I try to always wear pugs.
GliderJohn

[zokn]

I, too, use Etymotic Research's musician's molded earplugs. I have two pair, one with 15db inserts and one with 25db inserts. I use the 25db mostly in the shop (I'm a wood worker) and the 15db on the bike. I also use them when mowing, chainsawing, and using noisy equipment generally. The level of hearing loss I have is not extreme (yet), but I want to keep what hearing I've got. I wish I'd started using ear plugs a lot sooner - so does everyone who tries to talk to me!

I have a Scorpion EXO 1000 helmet with inflatable padding. I can pump the bladders up while riding, and I've done this to see just how much quieter the helmet becomes when the pads are inflated andold formed to my head. The amount of wind noise that disappears when the helmet is inflated is significant. Normally, I just pump up the pads after doing up the chin strap - I know that 16 pumps is what it takes in my case - but I've done the no air vs pumped up test while riding to experiment and verify that this system is truly effective. (I also like the Scorpion's anti-fog visor, so the helmet really does a good job for me.)

[Wayne Orwig]

What?