These are from Boxerworks.com
1. I have narrow ear cannels, and have
problems with earplugs fitting properly. Working with our audiologist there at
the hospital where I am employed. I have found that North Com-fit AB model
Z281601 fit my ears cannels and reduce the noise level greatly. I believe that
the earplugs allow me to ride at least 100 miles extra per day than without
earplugs.
I only wish that I had worn hearing protection when I was younger, maybe I would
not have the constant ringing, and would be able to hear what my wife says, but
that maybe selective hearing loss.
The important thing with earplugs is that they fit in the ear cannel for comfort
and function
2. I have Tinnitis as well, from too many
hours working around USAF jet engines. My wife and I use "Howard Leight"
brand "Leight Sleepers" rated 32 dB reduction. They really lower the
wind and tire noise but allow you to here the traffic around you. They are
shaped like a winged bullet and softer than the yellow straight sided plugs so
you don't get the feeling of pressure or scratchiness in your ears.
3. While researching for my work, training
sound technicians, I have learned that extended exposure to a loud yet not
painful sound, such as the wind noise when traveling at highway speeds on a
motorcycle, causes permanent hearing damage to one's ability to hear sounds in
the higher frequencies. This damage is not usually immediately noticeable, but
it is cumulative and results in a considerable acceleration of the natural loss
of these frequencies due to aging. The result is that one finds it more and more
difficult to understand speech. Even when one can hear the sounds, individual
words are difficult to discern. Picking speech out of background noise can
become impossible.
In my own experience, I have found that wearing earplugs
makes long trips significantly less tiring. The "Hearos" brand soft
foam plugs are the ones that I have found the most comfortable for myself. With
all the foam plugs, the prices plummet if you buy them in bulk. By buying 25
pair or more, you can sometimes get the price down to a dime or less a pair.
Kurt Munger
4. I'm increasingly trying to lip read when
in a crowded room and having a conversation. In my early riding days I
have memories of ears ringing for hours after day long high speed riding without
plugs. I did start to wear plugs but maybe too late. These days I
use them just commuting. The cheap roll up yellow ones do the job for me.
I buy them in bulk and change them about every 1000km. If you're not careful
it's not unknown to get fungal ear infections so I try to change them
regularly. I buy these cheap ones because if I lose them they're easily
replaced. If I lost an expensive custom set I'd be real ****ed.
Steve
5. Add me to the list of the tinnitus
afflicted. And I'm hard of hearing too, naturally. One problem I have
wearing ear plugs while riding is that without the obscuring noise, the ringing
in my ears is much more "present" and much more irritating.
Ken
6. I to am becoming affected by loss of
hearing, its not too bad but trying to impress somebody in a noisy pub gets
more difficult........I don't want to end up as deaf as my Dad who flew bombers
in the war. I find that the single use type earplugs get uncomfortable
after about 4/6 hours, there are various companies in the UK who will take
impressions of your ear and make plugs to fit, not that cheap around £35-45,
but they are comfortable for longer.
Up side is that the plugs filter out much of the mechanical
noises from a BMW!
Charles
I have used a lot of different types of ear plugs
and find the Leight Plugs, sold at Rite Aid, the best. They are soft (softer
than most--I have small ear canals), throwaways, that I have worn as much as 20
hours per day with no soreness or problems. I wear them when riding, then all
night long when camping or sleeping in strange places. Also, they allow me a good night's rest at home, when my wife snores. They cost about $4 for a pack of 10
pairs. I seem to get a month or two out of a pair when worn each night. They are
a bright orange in color and seem to be available at most Rite Aid stores.
Bill Baedke