A cautionary tale

[UK Bike Forum Member]

I have long been aware that riding motorcycles presents a significant risk of hearing damage and that ear plugs or defenders are readily available. However, I don’t use them because I find them uncomfortable and distracting. Anyway, I had a hearing test this week and guess what…… significant hearing damage most likely by caused excessive noise. As I haven’t been subject to other sources of sustained noise such as industrial ETC, it looks like I have f**cked my hearing up by riding for the last 30 years without ear protection.

So the moral of the story is, stick some plugs in today or end up trying out hearing aids tomorrow. Oh and no… I have nothing to do with marketing ear plugs; I’m just a twat who’s needlessly buggered-up his hearing.

Take the piss if you like, I don’t mind at all but if you don’t use them, think about it.
 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Pardon??? 













OK, I admit, I was young and stupid and now sudffer tinnitus 

[Pope]

Due to riding motorbikes for 4 years without earplugs I've suffered tinnitus (it's non stop, even doing it right now as I type this)

Trust me it's not fun.  Also have really bad hearing loss in both ears and have to be looking at someone to hear what they're saying that's how bad it is 

Got fitted with hearing aids but don't use them.  not good at 24 years old 

Moral of the story like bendintheroad said, put earplugs in!!!!!!

[UK Bike Forum Member]

That's a bit of an eye opener.  I didn't realise it was that much of a problem

[UK Bike Forum Member]

I too suffer tinnitus in my left ear which is continuous and stops me sleeping at times so can sympathise with pope but never could get to the root of how it started and if someone turns away I can't hear them either-have to lip read also if talking to anyone who speaks quietly. I wonder after reading the above if it was because I used to work in my boyfriend's garage before he took a job offshore - used to have to cover my ears when there was loud noise from engines,generator etc as thought my eardrums were going to burst:scratch

[UK Bike Forum Member]

I use em even on my 10 mile commute. I was gonna add a  but it's really not funny.

Use earplugs. 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

any recommendations?

Fuck me, takes me 20 minutes to get kitted up already 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

there are a number of companies guy and girls, that do the moulded ones, could cost £65 - £85 but whats your hearing worth, once its gone its gone,

they put a small piece of sponge on a thread, put that in your ear, you pick the colour you want, they mix it and inject it into your ear and then pull the sponge out and out pops the ear plug they then take it away put a nice outer washable layer on it and file any rough edges, bobs your uncle you have a well fitting set of plugs that take about 2 seconds to put in.

wear them all the time - even the little yellow squidgy ones will do, once their dirty get a new set, you can buy a big of these for a few quid. they cut out a small amount of noise but you can still hear people talking, and emergency vehicles etc. but what it does do is cut down on a small amount of engine / road noise but also cuts out the frequency noise of the wind.

cheers

pj WHAT!!!!

[Pope]

I've tried a few different types the last couple of years (a bit late really)

I bought a couple of the DIY kits that you mix together and stuff in your ear to make a custom fit.
They were shite    They shrink over time and don't provide a particularly comfortable or flush fit.

the sponge ones are much better.  I use the mushroom shaped big yellow ones as they work best to block out most noise

I buy a load of them at a time off ebay and grab a new pair every time I ride.  Don't try washing them as they double in size 


51 pairs for a tenner and free postage 

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[felix]

I used to commute to London & back on  regular basis...only once did I forget to wear ear plugs, and can't you tell the difference.......really uncomfortable without them due to the wind noise....

Like Pope , I tend to use disposable one's , more hygienic and very cheap..I use the Green mushroom type ones you can get from South Wales Superbikes etc..about a tenner for sixty or so, something around that mark...

And the upshot of this is......

You can call Pope all the names under the sun if you want..you just have to make sure he's not looking at you when you do it.......

[UK Bike Forum Member]

H

[Pope]

And the upshot of this is......

You can call Pope all the names under the sun if you want..you just have to make sure he's not looking at you when you do it.......

 

TwoWheel.  Exhaust noise is rarely a factor in hearing loss (unless you have a racefit slash without baffles)

It's the wind noise that gradually buggers your hearing.

Ringing ears after a ride?
That's your hearing telling you it's just been damaged and a small amount you've just lost that you will never get back 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

I aint gonna quote exact figures (cause I dont know them)..But I did read somewhere that the wind noise in most helmets can get up to very dangerous levels that will cause irrepairable damage. The sort of noise levels at around the 100mph mark are comparable to standing at the end of a runway when a jumbo jet is taking off..... I think it was in the region of 120 - 130 decibels.

I just use the cheap yellow sponge thingys. Im fortunate to work in a factory where they are readily available, and a grab a bagfull every now and then, and place them next to where my lid lives.

When I first started using them, yes it was strange and didnt seem normal. But peeps, you really need to percivere on this one. After a week or tow of riding you'll be asking yourself how did you ride without them. I certainly cant now, the noise is unbearable........

Ive been riding 9 years now, and probably used ear plugs for 99% of that time. I had a hearing test in work about a month ago, and both lugholes are A1.....

Its not nice to hear of the other folks ailments on here..... But let this be a lesson to all of you who still have time to stop the damage getting out of hand.

[UK Bike Forum Member]

pope dont be a twat and wear the hearing aids

never used to use them untill i got my first big bike, bigger then a 125.
i make sure ive got some with me all the time and make sure my pillion has some as well

[UK Bike Forum Member]

And the upshot of this is......

You can call Pope all the names under the sun if you want..you just have to make sure he's not looking at you when you do it.......

 

TwoWheel.  Exhaust noise is rarely a factor in hearing loss (unless you have a racefit slash without baffles)

It's the wind noise that gradually buggers your hearing.

Ringing ears after a ride?
That's your hearing telling you it's just been damaged and a small amount you've just lost that you will never get back 

Not only that Pope but it also makes you more fatigued if you don't wear them. I can't explain how but I read up about it once and they made it make sense to me.