Motorcycle hearing protection - safe or not?

Question

A friend suggested yesterday that I need to wear some sort of ear protection when riding. Today, I tried it and felt really disconnected from the bike. Had trouble sensing gear speeds, traffic, etc.

Do you use any sort of hearing protection? Thanks.

Btw, the bike is a stock Honda - not too loud.

Answer 1

You're probably ok with a full face helmet, but with an open face, you're exposing your ears to a lot of noise.  I have a noise meter and even on my quiet, fairing equiped touring bike it'll show 88-92 db outside my helmet.  Without a fairing, wind noise can easily approach 100 db, which can certainly damage your hearing.

I like the foam earplugs when working around noisy equipment.  The EAR brand I use attenuate 30+db which is good on a tractor, but a little much for your bike.  Look for '"shooters plugs" that are in the 15-20 db range and are use by people shooting firearms.  They'll stop louder noises but still allow normal conversation.

Answer 2

safe

Answer 3

Hearing protection on a bike is a very good idea. I use it if going on a trip for more than 10-15 miles. The bike noise is not what you wear the hearing protection for its the wind noise.

Answer 4

I don't wear any kind of hearing protection when riding and I wouldn't recommend to anyone to do it  

Answer 5

No, because, assuming you're a smart biker, you're wearing a helmet, and helmets usually do a good job of canceling out some noise without taking away too much.

If you take away your hearing, you can't hear where traffic is, can't tell if theres a small problem with the bike etc., which you know by now obviously.

Besides, there are other things that need to be protected when you're riding before your hearing, like your head, neck, vital organs, and the list goes on.

Unless your friend has been riding for a considerable amount of time, I'd take his advice with a grain of salt.

Answer 6

I use my MP3 player with plugs that have foam around them. I can hear sounds around me fine and the music makes the ride more relaxing. I have no problem hearing traffic around me in slow moving traffic and I doubt anyone ever heard a car behind them on the highway anyway. I drive with mirrors for trailing traffic and with my eyes forward and on the sides. My bike is a V-twin and I sense the vibrations for engine speed.

Answer 7

Wearing a helmet actually exacerbates the noise, which isn't caused by the bike engine or exhaust but by wind when you reach beyond a certain speed. Ear plugs do protect your hearing but do not block out all sound - only the frequencies which damage hearing, it is easy to hear sirens and noisier cars for example, it will not improve your ability to hear oncoming traffic, as if you ever could. When riding any distance or over average commuting speeds I wear ear plugs and have done for years without any problems relating to ‘sensing danger’. It does take a little time to get used to the difference but is well worth it, reduced noise also reduces tiredness in my experience.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/advice...

http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared...

Answer 8

I wear foam earplugs every time I ride. I don't feel "disconnected" from the bike at all. I will continue to wear them as I'd like to keep what hearing I have for as long as possible.

Answer 9

Logically i would say that its very unsafe.

You wont be able to hear on comming traffic and cars who may be close behind.

Answer 10

You're wearing a helmet that covers your ears right? That should be about all the hearing protection you'd need...

Answer 11

The noise from your bike isn't going to harm your ears, it's the wind noise that is of concern.  I don't wear any when I know I will be riding at slower speeds around town.  It just isn't a problem for me.  When I go out on the highway at higher speeds the wind has bothered my hearing a few times.  Usually if it's a very windy day and I'm riding at 60+ mph,  I'll notice an aching in my ears.  So I wear earplugs when those conditions present themselves, otherwise I don't wear them.

Answer 12

i wear one when using my half shell and dont wear any with my full face

Answer 13

Ear protection is not unsafe, there are many riders who wear some kind of ear plugs.    Most wear the kind that  are used in refineries where safety is emphasized.   There are custom fitted ones, as well.

You stock exhaust is not going to deafen you, but wind noise can.  Use your own judgment.

Answer 14

I think wearing ear plugs while riding could be tragically dangerous. You should always be aware of the traffic around you, and cutting off one of your senses is asking for trouble.  

Answer 15

I wouldnt and never have used hearing protection. How do you sense danger? With your eyes and your ears right??????????? I would leave the ear plugs out!!