Is wearing earplugs safe?

[JZman]

I heard in California that in cars you cannot listen to music using headphones because it impairs your hearing. Is this the same for motorcycles? I hear many people wear earplugs for the freeway because of the wind. Is that legal?


BTW Happy Election Day! Super historic!

[Fabian]

I've been told that ear plugs are better for you on long rides and help prevent fatigue. I tried it a few times on weekend high spirited rides but felt uneasy not being able to hear EVERY sound around me. Especially tires screaching or sirens from emergency vehicles in the distance.

I'll admit I was a little paranoid before ever trying them so I may be a bit biased.

Try it out and see for yourself how it works for you!

[RayOSV]

Any type of earplugs are now legal in CA. It used to be that only custom earplugs could be worn in both ears while riding, but that law was changed a couple of years ago. It is probably still technically illegal to ride with headphones over both ears just like driving.

I wear earplugs whenever I'm on the bike. Every once in a while I'll take them out for the mile ride home from the gas station. It's horrible without them. You can hear all that you need to hear with earplugs plus it's much less fatiguing with them.

It does take a while to get used to wearing them, but it's definitely worth it.

[Unbridled Rage]

Yes.

For me it does reduce fatigue due to wind noise. You will have to experiment for yourself. Try a 6 hour stint w/ plugs in over 70 mph and you'll get my point.

Also, earplugs come in different ratings for noise attenuation, measured in decibels (db). More decibels (-30db) mean more blocked sound. If you're worried about hearing stuff around you, go with a -25db or -28db plug, not a -30db. Further, realize that some earplugs attenuate different frequencies of sound better. For instance, my -30db plugs block my bass exhaust note but I can still hear my brakes hissing. You will have to experiment with plugs to find the right combination of attenuation (quietness?) and frequency pass-thru.

That is all.

[OldSchlPunk]

Start with a cheap pair of foam earplugs. That's really all you need. If you find you like wearing earplugs, you can always have customs made.

I hate riding without earplugs. I can hear everything so much better with my earplugs in. They reduce the wind noise mostly. Without earplugs I find that my ears are ringing after just a short ride. I guess I have all of those loud-assed concerts to thank for some of the ringing, I just don't want to do more damage.

[rbrsddn]

I wear them all the time. It is the wind noise that will damage your hearing. I rode for years without them. Not any more.

[dsmgixxer]

i never ride without them. u can still hear all the important noises it just cuts out the bad

[TalkofDC]

intresting that out of the sample of SBN posters...it seems like EVERYBODY wears them.

When you with local guys who ride...NOBODY wears them...except the occasional ipod.

THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME TREND WITH EVERYTHING SAFETY RELATED....WONDER WHY?

[Snafu]

I wear them all the time.

[qubert]

I wear an I-pod with plug style ear buds.

I do feel less safe, but I have more fun. I guess it could be argued that music makes you loosen up, as I seem to ride better when I'm pumped, but I think it's mostly imagined, and I do miss some things.

You get a feel for your engine when you cant hear it, and I find I try to shift to seventh less, although it does still happen because I am incapable of counting.

Long freeway rides it is a must, In town it is an option.

[TalkofDC]

oh and safe is as safe does....

try them out. It's the only way to find out if you like them or not...

[phail]

Always wearing ear plugs (mostly at the track) or my ipod. I dont know how some of you guys can stand to wear neither.

[SAHTT]

Originally Posted by rbrsddn

I wear them all the time. It is the wind noise that will damage your hearing. I rode for years without them. Not any more.

2nd. Any ride over 15 mins I have ear plugs. If you have a SS with basically no wind screen and a high end helmet with a lot of venting, which often go hand in hand, the wind noise can be deafening. My arai makes a ton of noise due to the top vent.

[Fizzgeek]

Originally Posted by SAHTT

2nd. Any ride over 15 mins I have ear plugs. If you have a SS with basically no wind screen and a high end helmet with a lot of venting, which often go hand in hand, the wind noise can be deafening. My arai makes a ton of noise due to the top vent.

Ditto to all of the above...

If I don't wear plugs on anything over 10-15 minutes my ears ring for an hour or more once I stop. I wear an Arai RX-7 which flows a LOT of air, and is noisy as hell. That and the speeds at which I ride these days makes for a loud play-environment. As for an I-Pod? I spent several hundred dollars for the sound system on my bike....It says "Yoshimura" on it and makes the most beautiful music....

[jk750]

Ear buds are not ear plugs.

I apply the 60/60 rule to ear plugs. If riding over 60mph or more than 60 minutes, I wear ear plugs.