Kawasaki Concours Forum
Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: mellow yellow on May 03, 2017, 07:03:05 AM
-
Hello, this question is directed towards the ear plug wearing riders. I have had bad hearing most of my life, and recently have noticed that I have occasional bouts of tinnitus in my left ear. so I've decided to wear ear plugs. I have these disposable plugs that I've been wearing, but when I pull my helmet over my head, it seems to disrupt their placement. so I'm not sure if I'm getting the full benefit. Is there a procedure on how to insert the plugs? Thanks
-
You wearing the rubber or foam disposable ear plugs? I find the foam ones work the best, and does not get disrupted when putting on your helmet.
The rubber ones shifts when putting on the helmet, and tends to hurt your ears after a few miles
-
Thanks for responding so quick. I'm wearing the disposable ones that I purchased from a sporting good store.
-
I always wear ear plugs when riding or shooting (not a fan of ear muffs). Overall, I have found most types and brands of plugs are a pain to insert (Easy Boys!), often go a bit too deep and can cause a lot of pain after they finish swelling (a gigantic Easy Boys!), and sometimes do not install quite right so I have to do it again.
The solution to all these problems, at least for me, is Peltor Skull Screws. Of course it looks like a gimmick, and partly it is, but they work very well and are by far the best and easiest plugs to use IMO. They are a soft foam plug but they are not solid, they are a cone- shaped piece that is hollow on the inside. Inside this cone is a rigid (Boys!) piece of plastic that facilitates both insertion and removal. Instead of having to roll and crush the plug, you just push on the plastic stem and the cone shaped outer shell follows and seats immediately. Removal is also easy because the plastic stud sticks out far enough to grab and pull (OK, you kids in the back go out in the hall until this presentation is over!).
The plastic stem is too long to allow me to use them under a helmet so when riding, I carry a small pair of wire cutters, peel back the outer foam layer and circumsi...... ah, snip the plastic stem off just below flush with the outer shell. They still push in as easy but then I remove them by pulling the outer shell.
They are disposable but can actually be used a lot of times.
Seriously, a great product that very, very well, at least for me and my wife.
The only downside is that they are a little more expensive than the more common solid foam plugs, and they have to be bought in bulk rather than five or ten at a time.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Skull-Earplugs-120-Pair/dp/B0017X8682 (https://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Skull-Earplugs-120-Pair/dp/B0017X8682)
Brian
Hello, this question is directed towards the ear plug wearing riders. I have had bad hearing most of my life, and recently have noticed that I have occasional bouts of tinnitus in my left ear. so I've decided to wear ear plugs. I have these disposable plugs that I've been wearing, but when I pull my helmet over my head, it seems to disrupt their placement. so I'm not sure if I'm getting the full benefit. Is there a procedure on how to insert the plugs? Thanks
-
In other words quick rivets for the ears ;D
I always wear ear plugs when riding or shooting (not a fan of ear muffs). Overall, I have found most types and brands of plugs are a pain to insert (Easy Boys!), often go a bit too deep and can cause a lot of pain after they finish swelling (a gigantic Easy Boys!), and sometimes do not install quite right so I have to do it again.
The solution to all these problems, at least for me, is Peltor Skull Screws. Of course it looks like a gimmick, and partly it is, but they work very well and are by far the best and easiest plugs to use IMO. They are a soft foam plug but they are not solid, they are a cone- shaped piece that is hollow on the inside. Inside this cone is a rigid (Boys!) piece of plastic that facilitates both insertion and removal. Instead of having to roll and crush the plug, you just push on the plastic stem and the cone shaped outer shell follows and seats immediately. Removal is also easy because the plastic stud sticks out far enough to grab and pull (OK, you kids in the back go out in the hall until this presentation is over!).
The plastic stem is too long to allow me to use them under a helmet so when riding, I carry a small pair of wire cutters, peel back the outer foam layer and circumsi...... ah, snip the plastic stem off just below flush with the outer shell. They still push in as easy but then I remove them by pulling the outer shell.
They are disposable but can actually be used a lot of times.
Seriously, a great product that very, very well, at least for me and my wife.
The only downside is that they are a little more expensive than the more common solid foam plugs, and they have to be bought in bulk rather than five or ten at a time.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Skull-Earplugs-120-Pair/dp/B0017X8682 (https://www.amazon.com/3M-Peltor-Skull-Earplugs-120-Pair/dp/B0017X8682)
Brian
-
Close enough, yeah. Just wet 'em and stick em' in.
My high freq. hearing is terrible and I also have a substantial amount of mid-range loss. I believe I have tinnitus but with me, it is not a ringing but rather a very steady "hiss" noise, just like white noise or radio static. The really odd thing is that given such substantial hearing loss, any amount of exposure over a couple of minutes now causes me quite a bit of discomfort.... I would have thought being 1/2 deaf would make me twice as impervious but not so.
As it applied to motorcycling, it is illegal in many states to wear ear plugs while riding, including the state I live in. But even wearing a full- face helmet, behind a tall and effective windshield, and riding a relatively very quiet bike, the constant background noise is annoying, distracting, uncomfortable and very unpleasant. So I wear ear plugs whenever riding and will deal with the legality of the issue if and when I have to but in the meantime, it is the only way I can ride with any comfort. And by the way, I find I can hear sounds better after having worn ear plugs for, say, an hour, than I can if I do not- my hearing seems to deteriorate from the constant background noise.
And now for the humor: I worked in an extremely high- noise environment for several years some years ago. Steady- state background noise exceeding 105 Db, actually painful after a short while of exposure. Everyone wore hearing protection, some plugs, some earmuffs, some both. One day I happen to see a co- worker digging pretty rigorously in one ear clearly trying to recover an earplug. Then he reached into his pocket, took out his Swiss army knife, opened the corkscrew attachment and used the end of that to hook the earplug and dig it out.... hysterical to see that. Another time watched the same guy walk into the office (sound proof, low ambient noise level), pull out one ear plug and then seeming to drive the other one IN DEEPER aggressively, while twisting his finger. Then he walked over to a trash can and spat out an earplug saying 'sometimes they are just in too deep to pull them back out'. He was a funny guy a lot of the time.....
Brian
P.S. Short on time so you folks are going to have to put your own 'Easy Boys'! wherever needed in this post.
In other words quick rivets for the ears ;D
-
Hello, this question is directed towards the ear plug wearing riders. I have had bad hearing most of my life, and recently have noticed that I have occasional bouts of tinnitus in my left ear. so I've decided to wear ear plugs.
I always wear either earplugs or earphones (the latter most of the time because I listen to music) when riding the motorcycle. Also when shooting, vacuuming, doing yard work, or anything that creates a lot of noise. It is just a good idea.
I have these disposable plugs that I've been wearing, but when I pull my helmet over my head, it seems to disrupt their placement. so I'm not sure if I'm getting the full benefit. Is there a procedure on how to insert the plugs? Thanks
That depends on the exact type of plug. If they are just the cylindrical foam ones, you are not putting them in your canals deeply enough. Those are the type that will stay the best, by far. They also tend to be the most comfortable, most effective, and cheapest too.
For watching movies in theaters or going to concerts, I have various expensive silicone musician's plugs. Some work quite well... but I think they are overkill for just motorcycle use.
-
As it applied to motorcycling, it is illegal in many states to wear ear plugs while riding, including the state I live in. But even wearing a full- face helmet, behind a tall and effective windshield, and riding a relatively very quiet bike, the constant background noise is annoying, distracting, uncomfortable and very unpleasant. So I wear ear plugs whenever riding and will deal with the legality of the issue if and when I have to but in the meantime, it is the only way I can ride with any comfort. And by the way, I find I can hear sounds better after having worn ear plugs for, say, an hour, than I can if I do not- my hearing seems to deteriorate from the constant background noise.
Yep, another example of stupid laws that make no sense. Wearing earplugs, a motorcyclist will almost always be able to hear emergency vehicles and horns *better* than without them, because it cuts out the background noise. And all that while protecting the ears from certain permanent damage. And also a motorcyclist wearing earplugs will usually have better situational hearing than someone riding in a luxury car with windows up... even before we add in the blasting stereo factor.
I strongly recommend always wearing earplugs or earphones when motorcycling, regardless of the laws. It is YOUR hearing that will need protecting, and no amount of money will recover it when it is lost. Hearing damage is cumulative and not usually not noticeable until it is too late.
-
Mellow Yellow
I haven't seen a clear answer to your question yet so here's what I do with the disposable foam ear plugs.
First, roll one plug between your fingers to form the smallest diameter you can Then pull one earlobe down to
straighten out the ear canal and insert the plug. Leave enough of the plug sticking out for removal. Do the same for the other ear.
It took me a while to be able to do this and get a good noise seal. It takes some practice.
My preferred hearing protection is to go to a hearing aid business and ask them to make hearing aid molds to be used as ear plugs for hearing protection. My local shop charges $25.00 for them and they last several years.
Bob Skinner
-
(Brian will have a field day with this one... )
... so I've decided to wear ear plugs. I have these disposable plugs that I've been wearing, but when I pull my helmet over my head, it seems to disrupt their placement. so I'm not sure if I'm getting the full benefit. Is there a procedure on how to insert the plugs? Thanks
Depends on how you stick 'em in, as well as the size/shape of the plugs.
Mild Tinnitus also, I used corded Howard Leight (by Honeywell, natch) "Max" earplugs. For almost everyone, the key is rolling them real tight before inserting them, inserting them fully, and holding them there until partially/fully expanded.
Once you have that down, investigate the most comfortable pair for you. There are a ton of soft earplugs to be had. Aerostich has a nice sample packet: http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-disposable-earplug-sample-kit.html (http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-disposable-earplug-sample-kit.html)
As to Officer Friendly (or Captain Dique Head), you can get a drivers license if you're stone deaf. *I* think that stupid law (where applicable) was intended for headset users that listen to Pink Floyd on 11.
Rick
-
As to Officer Friendly (or Captain Dique Head), you can get a drivers license if you're stone deaf.
Yeah, that is probably the best point EVER on the topic. If you are allowed to drive and be deaf, then wearing earplugs has to be a completely moot point.
-
I went to a gun show in Del Mar Ca., and had some custom molded ear plugs made by EarPlugs USA, http://www.earplugsusa.com/ (http://www.earplugsusa.com/)
They work great and mine lasted 6 years. I did not have the string put in and I had them made so that they lay flat in the ear.
They are impossible to fall out while putting on or off my helmet and more importantly they were comfortable.
I have a Scala G9 on my helmet. I can hear music, talk to other riders and use my phone with no issues.
Another option are the Fuse Custom Earphone, http://www.earfuze.com/media.html (http://www.earfuze.com/media.html)
Only issue I would have with these are that you make sure you use a quality set of earphones.
I get no financial gain by mentioning the above vendors. The ones I mentioned are just 2 options. There are many more cheaper and expensive options. You decide.
-
I like these Alpine plugs...They are comfy and dont interfere with my helmet and still allow me to hear my GPS via Senna SMH 10.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=alpine+music+safe+pro&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=185187826211&hvpos=1t2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3459113449342533185&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046702&hvtargid=kwd-8368335040&ref=pd_sl_q4p2wx0pl_b (https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=alpine+music+safe+pro&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=185187826211&hvpos=1t2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3459113449342533185&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046702&hvtargid=kwd-8368335040&ref=pd_sl_q4p2wx0pl_b)
I've tried others but TBH these seem to be as good as anything :)
-
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=4448 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=4448)
-
thanks all for the responses. will investigate more into this matter and try your suggestions.
-
(OK, you kids in the back go out in the hall until this presentation is over!).
....watched the same guy walk into the office (sound proof, low ambient noise level), pull out one ear plug and then seeming to drive the other one IN DEEPER aggressively, while twisting his finger. Then he walked over to a trash can and spat out an earplug saying 'sometimes they are just in too deep to pull them back out'. He was a funny guy a lot of the time.....
Brian
P.S. Short on time so you folks are going to have to put your own 'Easy Boys'! wherever needed in this post.
I doubt many here will buy 120 pairs of ear plugs at a time, but I'm really glad you answered Brian. :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :thumbs:
-
I've been using foam ear plugs for years and they work well for me. They're cheap when you buy a lot. Less than $20 for 200 pair. I give handfuls to my friends when they see the box in the garage.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-1100-Foam-Plugs-200-Pair/dp/B008MVYL7C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1493976890&sr=8-3&keywords=foam+ear+plugs (https://www.amazon.com/3M-1100-Foam-Plugs-200-Pair/dp/B008MVYL7C/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1493976890&sr=8-3&keywords=foam+ear+plugs)
-
I doubt many here will buy 120 pairs of ear plugs at a time
I did. It was so cheap on Amazon last year to buy a box of 200 that I said "what the hell". I hand them out to others who might need earplugs (since we are talking a lifetime supply; I reuse each pair at least 4 times, and you can even wash them).
-
Yeah, no way out of it- a big box of those things is a little bit expensive. Then again, if you wear them all the time when riding, especially if you ride two- up and the passenger wears them too, you can go through an entire box surprisingly fast. I think I am on my third box since finding that particular brand and type of plug back in something like 2009 or so.
And I end up giving a lot of them away, mostly on firing ranges when I act as an RSO.
Brian
I doubt many here will buy 120 pairs of ear plugs at a time, but I'm really glad you answered Brian. :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :thumbs:
-
I doubt many here will buy 120 pairs of ear plugs at a time.
They're cheap when you buy a lot. Less than $20 for 200 pair. I give handfuls to my friends when they see the box in the garage.
I did. It was so cheap on Amazon last year to buy a box of 200 that I said "what the hell". I hand them out to others who might need earplugs (since we are talking a lifetime supply;..
Well, I was mostly just trying to give some humor credit to Brian, but still...and maybe I'm wrong because I use noise isolating ear buds for most riding...but what I really meant was that I thought few would spend over $50 for plugs that they had never tried before (and might not work for them) when there are so many others out there for less money and less quantity of minimum purchase. I've been wrong before and I'm sure I'll be wrong again. ::) :P :-[
I use Shure SE215-K (https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Isolating-Earphones-MicroDriver/dp/B004PNZFZ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1494179089&sr=1-1&keywords=shure+se215-k) ear buds with Plugfones silicone tips (https://www.plugfones.com/product/yellow-silicone-replacement-plugs/), orange for the left ear and yellow for the right.
These (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038W0K2K/ref=psdc_12097478011_t3_B017AW0GHW) appear to be much cheaper knock offs that might work, I'm fairly certain that for that price they don't have a removable plug at the ear bud like the Shures do but then I haven't needed mine yet.
-
I use Shure SE215-K (https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Isolating-Earphones-MicroDriver/dp/B004PNZFZ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1494179089&sr=1-1&keywords=shure+se215-k) ear buds with Plugfones silicone tips (https://www.plugfones.com/product/yellow-silicone-replacement-plugs/), orange for the left ear and yellow for the right.
Yes, earphones. That is similar to what I use except mine are MUCH cheaper. I just buy Philips "Music colors" which run from $10 to $16 depending on color and availability. They tend to last about a year or so before the cords get damaged, so I have many pair. They use removable silicone tips which generally stay in my ears well and are comfortable. I tie a knot in the cord going to the right ear so I can tell which is which :)
-
Yep, a lot of money to try them out. I was lucky and found a set (exactly one set) at work one day, stuck them in and fell in love (Both an Easy Boys! and 'insert joke here'). And a man in love thinks nothing of spending $50 on the object of his affection.....
Sideways ONTOPIC: I too listen to music, use an intercom and can use cell phone while riding. I use Starcom helmet speakers and just turn them up until they over- power the earplugs. Not an ideal solution but it works surprising, actually amazingly, well. I would have though everything would be all mumbly but it is not bad at all. Still, a better solution would be to put the music in my ears, then block out the external noise behind the music, as you do Marty. I have been dying to try those mini- ear buds but never have because the 'inexpensive' ones are pretty expensive (talking about the types that have NOTHING that projects from the ear), and it seems I have sensitive canals (Boys!) and am not interested in spending $XXX to find out I cannot use them comfortably. A nasty crossroads I tells' ya'. And I do not know anyone local who is using a set and besides, not sure how that would work.... borrowing someone Else's used ear buds to try out in my (used) ears, then handing them back.... (I know how I would ask though: "Hey Big Boy, can I stick your buds in my canal for a minute?"). That plus I am somewhat concerned that the wires would break / wear where they attach to the actual ear bud.
I did try a relatively inexpensive set of rigid (!!!) plugs that one makes 'at home' using a two- part mix. While I got a set to fit pretty well, I found they just would not seal unless held in with a little pressure from my fingers. And that is not desirable riding down the road on a motorcycle.
Then again, as I continue to lose both hearing and some of the interest in what I am hearing anyway, the whole thing might become a Moo point (meaning that it does not mean anything, like a cow's opinion).
Brian
Well, I was mostly just trying to give some humor credit to Brian, but still...and maybe I'm wrong because I use noise isolating ear buds for most riding...but what I really meant was that I thought few would spend over $50 for plugs that they had never tried before (and might not work for them) when there are so many others out there for less money and less quantity of minimum purchase. I've been wrong before and I'm sure I'll be wrong again. ::) :P :-[
I use Shure SE215-K (https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-K-Isolating-Earphones-MicroDriver/dp/B004PNZFZ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1494179089&sr=1-1&keywords=shure+se215-k) ear buds with Plugfones silicone tips (https://www.plugfones.com/product/yellow-silicone-replacement-plugs/), orange for the left ear and yellow for the right.
These (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038W0K2K/ref=psdc_12097478011_t3_B017AW0GHW) appear to be much cheaper knock offs that might work, I'm fairly certain that for that price they don't have a removable plug at the ear bud like the Shures do but then I haven't needed mine yet.
-
Yep, a lot of money to try them out. I was lucky and found a set (exactly one set) at work one day, stuck them in and fell in love (Both an Easy Boys! and 'insert joke here'). And a man in love thinks nothing of spending $50 on the object of his affection.....
Sideways ONTOPIC: I too listen to music, use an intercom and can use cell phone while riding. I use Starcom helmet speakers and just turn them up until they over- power the earplugs. Not an ideal solution but it works surprising, actually amazingly, well. I would have though everything would be all mumbly but it is not bad at all. Still, a better solution would be to put the music in my ears, then block out the external noise behind the music, as you do Marty. I have been dying to try those mini- ear buds but never have because the 'inexpensive' ones are pretty expensive (talking about the types that have NOTHING that projects from the ear), and it seems I have sensitive canals (Boys!) and am not interested in spending $XXX to find out I cannot use them comfortably. A nasty crossroads I tells' ya'. And I do not know anyone local who is using a set and besides, not sure how that would work.... borrowing someone Else's used ear buds to try out in my (used) ears, then handing them back.... (I know how I would ask though: "Hey Big Boy, can I stick your buds in my canal for a minute?"). That plus I am somewhat concerned that the wires would break / wear where they attach to the actual ear bud.
I did try a relatively inexpensive set of rigid (!!!) plugs that one makes 'at home' using a two- part mix. While I got a set to fit pretty well, I found they just would not seal unless held in with a little pressure from my fingers. And that is not desirable riding down the road on a motorcycle.
Then again, as I continue to lose both hearing and some of the interest in what I am hearing anyway, the whole thing might become a Moo Kaw point (meaning that it does not mean anything, like a ckow's opinion).
Brian
Fify..
-
I did try a relatively inexpensive set of rigid (!!!) plugs that one makes 'at home' using a two- part mix. While I got a set to fit pretty well, I found they just would not seal unless held in with a little pressure from my fingers. And that is not desirable riding down the road on a motorcycle.
Yep, that was my experience too. A lot of work and they fit great but don't really seal.
-
Forty years of trumpets and drums has done a number on my hearing. I have to wear hearing aids just to hear WTF is going on -- really annoying, that.
While riding, you bet -- I use the foam plugs because they really do shut the sound off. While shooting, too. Oh, and mowing with the zero-turn. While talking with my wife..... :o
-
Well, we've discussed this before on this forum and others. I usually try to keep my opinions to myself, but as a tinnitus sufferer, I just cannot stay away from this. "WEAR YOUR EARPLUGS!!!" Whatever works for you, find it and wear it!
I only can think of three people upon whom I would wish this living hell. Imagine having a 5-HP vacuum cleaner or leaf blower strapped to the back of your neck and having to listen to it 24/7 FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Okay, so depending on your marital status, this may or may not be a change for you, but you should NOT have to put up with this.
Tinnitus is the "ringing" in your ears you hear after being subjected to a loud noise, except that it is a continuous ringing, buzzing, sometimes clicking, whining, whirring, etc.. Every noise beyond a certain loudness threshold causes a little damage and it all adds up. The noise damages the little hairs in your ear canal, you hear the ringing, and it goes away, but only about 98% goes away. Then the next time, 98% goes away, then the next time........... Pretty soon all those little 2%'s add up to a continuous ringing THAT NEVER GOES AWAY. It is your own little friend that will be with you always.
I spent too many years around aircraft and using power tools, shooting, etc., etc. All those piston and jet engines, pneumatic tools, drills, rivet guns, un-muffled shooting ("Hey, it's just a .22/.357/.44/whatever").
Now I live where I can hear the deer fart in the back yard, but mostly I hear
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Think of the aforementioned vacuum cleaner with a smoke alarm in the background and the hum of a large air-conditioner all going on at once. It very often makes trying to get to sleep a very trying experience.
For you who ride bikes and also shoot and use power tools regularly, etc., you need to pay special attention as you are getting multiple hits that are (ARE, not MIGHT be) adding up to permanent ear damage.
Comparing ear protection to wearing a helmet is not the same thing. You may ride for 50 years and a million miles and never have an accident in which a helmet would have helped you. But you are getting ear-damaging noise ALL the time and it is adding up. If you had a passenger sitting behind you smacking you in the back of the head with a ball-peen hammer 30 times per second you'd probably want a helmet, ya think? That's what your bike engine is doing to your ears.
A lot of helmets don't block noise, sometimes they act as resonant chambers and actually increase the amount of noise that is reaching your eardrums. I know my SHOEI RF1000 resonates a lot, especially with the face shield closed.
If you think earplugs will hurt your "situational awareness" then you really need to try it out. You'll find they don't hurt anything. They do NOT block out emergency vehicle sirens, car horns, etc. I know some people who won't wear them for those reasons, but those same people get into their sound-proofed SUV's and roll the windows up and crank the CD player up to max and that drowns out WAAAAAY more ambient sound than foam earplugs. My opinion is they can make you better able to distinguish the sounds you need to hear by helping to block out that "white noise" of the engine, lifters, cam chains, tires, etc. What's left is the important stuff you need to hear.
It may be illegal in your state to wear earplugs (doubtful, Washington State bans earphones for CAR drivers, but allowance is made for motorcycles to have speakers in the helmets, to allow for rider/passenger communications devices). Even if it were illegal, you won't get caught unless you are doing something to attract the attention of a LEO, and have him/her notice the plugs when you pull your helmet. Which means you are willing to break the SOME kind of law, like roaring around at 90 MPH in a 60MPH zone, so why worry about the little extra fine for the earplugs, if any? Sweep them out of your ears onto the ground as you remove your helmet, the cop will likely never notice them. If they do, take the drug-droppers stance and say, "Hey, not mine, man.". I doubt they'll make you do a DNA test on the earwax. I suspect that most LEO's understand and will not hassle you about it anyway. After all, they all shoot and do other noisy things and many of them ride motorcycles also. Personally, I'd rather go to court and argue the earplugs, at least I'd be able to hear the judge. I'd gladly pay the State of Washington $100 per month for the rest of my life if it meant getting rid of the tinnitus.
Long ago the FAA and NTSB identified cockpit noise and the resulting fatigue as important factors in aircraft accidents. Loud noise levels for long periods cause an incredible amount of fatigue, which is dangerous for motorcycle riders as well as pilots. I agree that I am much less tired after a long ride when I have good ear plugs in, which is ALWAYS now.
-
Well, we've discussed this before on this forum and others. I usually try to keep my opinions to myself, but as a tinnitus sufferer, I just cannot stay away from this. "WEAR YOUR EARPLUGS!!!" Whatever works for you, find it and wear it!
I only can think of three people upon whom I would wish this living hell.
Unfortunately, I developed tinnitus also about a year ago (at age 47). The sad thing, is that I have ALWAYS protected my hearing. Always wore earplugs or earphones on motorcycle, always when shooting, always at concerts, never listened to loud music through headphones. Sometimes I think it will happen for unknown reasons that can't be tied to just noise. Thankfully, in my case, it is just a very high-pitched tone (13KHz) that is not very loud and is drowned out enough by everyday noise that I can tune it out. It only really bothers me at night when I go to bed (and I even use a HEPA air cleaner that generates white noise but doesn't mask it out). I am terrified it will get worse and have GREAT sympathy for those for whom it is. I read about people committing suicide due to it (and given that I have an obsessive disorder that especially affects me with sounds, I can very much relate).
That said, one of the leading causes of tinnitus is cumulative damage from noise over a person's life, so protect your hearing, even when it doesn't seem like the activity is all that loud.
-
I find it interesting that you participate in forums and 'try to keep your opinions' to yourself. ?? That is what powers forums, opinions.... well, opinions and facts, and the facts are often in dispute. :-) But a lot of people value the idea of sharing opinions, myself included.
Maybe you are thinking of that other "O" word, 'obnoxious'. By all means, please do not share obnoxious but forge ahead with the opinions. Extra points for a well- stated opinion and the entire jackpot for a well- thought out, developed opinion.
:-)
As far as the LEO's go, I have had to actually put up my hand to stop an LEO from talking to me while I take off a helmet and pull out an earplug. Without exception, every one of them has waited patiently and then ignored the fact that it is technically illegal to wear them in the first place. Frankly, I would be really surprised if a LEO actually wrote that down on a summons, even if it was just added to the other thing(s) that got the citation written in the first place. But in the end, I simply care more about my comfort (whatever amount I can squeeze out given tinnitus and already poor hearing) and actual safety (real safety, such as not being nearly as fatigued after riding hours and hours) than 'made- up' safety (laws that prevent wearing ear plugs while riding). And in the end, if the LEO and the judge feel the need, I will pay the fine as it is not nearly as big a deal as 1) slowing the deterioration of my hearing and 2) comfort (or lack of discomfort such as I get after even an hour riding with a full- face helmet but without ear plugs in place).
As I sit in front of my desk and write this, in a quiet environment, the tinnitus in my left ear ("heard" as steady, radio- like static) is really annoying. The good news is that these days the risk to hearing (as well as eyesight, air quality and a bunch of other things) is recognized and universally addressed; even the local SWAT team practices with full hearing and eye protection in place 100% of the time the range is hot. Oddly enough, I am the person enforcing that rule being the RSO quite often- the guy with the bad hearing from excessive loud noise, such as shooting. But for a lot of my adult life, personal safety (Easy Boys! not THAT kind of safety!) was just not addressed usually and when it was, it was often by being ribbed by others for being a 'wuss' or similar. We are a little bit more enlightened now.....
Brian
Well, we've discussed this before on this forum and others. I usually try to keep my opinions to myself, but as a tinnitus sufferer, I just cannot stay away from this.
<snip>
It may be illegal in your state to wear earplugs (doubtful, Washington State bans earphones for CAR drivers, but allowance is made for motorcycles to have speakers in the helmets, to allow for rider/passenger communications devices). Even if it were illegal, you won't get caught unless you are doing something to attract the attention of a LEO, and have him/her notice the plugs when you pull your helmet. Which means you are willing to break the SOME kind of law, like roaring around at 90 MPH in a 60MPH zone, so why worry about the little extra fine for the earplugs, if any? Sweep them out of your ears onto the ground as you remove your helmet, the cop will likely never notice them. If they do, take the drug-droppers stance and say, "Hey, not mine, man.". I doubt they'll make you do a DNA test on the earwax. I suspect that most LEO's understand and will not hassle you about it anyway. After all, they all shoot and do other noisy things and many of them ride motorcycles also. Personally, I'd rather go to court and argue the earplugs, at least I'd be able to hear the judge. I'd gladly pay the State of Washington $100 per month for the rest of my life if it meant getting rid of the tinnitus.
Long ago the FAA and NTSB identified cockpit noise and the resulting fatigue as important factors in aircraft accidents. Loud noise levels for long periods cause an incredible amount of fatigue, which is dangerous for motorcycle riders as well as pilots. I agree that I am much less tired after a long ride when I have good ear plugs in, which is ALWAYS now.
-
Diesel submarine engine room for six years with no hearing protection. Now most of what I hear is a high frequency sound like EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE'
It never goes away and the quieter the room is the more it bothers.
WEAR THOSE EAR PROTECTION DEVICES!!!
Bob Skinner
-
<snip
WEAR THOSE EAR PROTECTION DEVICES!!!
Bob Skinner
Why did the man put condoms on his ears?....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
He didn't want to get hearing aids.
-
::)