Hearing Loss Due to Motorcycling There is something really easy you can do to stop it

[TreAdidas]

Summary

-Hearing loss is referred to as the “silent killer.” It is painless. This means you cannot feel it as it occurs!
-As a motorcyclist we subject ourselves to harmful noise levels when we ride.
-A simple $75 investment in some custom mould ear plugs greatly reduces the harm to your ears.
-These plugs are comfortable to wear, even with a helmet.

--The long version--

The lecture at hand

Huh what’s that you say?

To date I have dropped just over $1,000 on my current riding gear setup. This includes: leather suit (thank you sir Stroble), boots, gloves, and a helmet. Yeah yeah I know I know I still have no back protector. It is next on my list! Most all of the Hypercycles kin are of the mind that always wearing gear is pretty much the greatest idea since sliced bread. Why do we believe this? We realize that the bottom line is every time we straddle the saddle and thumb starter, we accept the fact that there are certain risks involved in our sport and catastrophe is always lurking around that next corner. We wear gear in case something happens. Luckily, chaos accompanied with bodily injury does not strike every time we ride and we do not always have to use this gear.

Unfortunately, we overlook a certain piece of gear and consequently cause harm to ourselves every time we ride. This piece of gear is the infamous ear plug!

Sound Information

If you are interested in finding out more about what kind of havoc motorcycle riding wreaks on your ears check out the following sausage links:

http://www.cyclerides.com/earplugs.htm

and

http://hope4hearing.org/motorcycle.htm

and

http://www.azearprotection.com/mc_info.htm


My Newest Piece of Safety Gear

I made the plunge in April and ordered the Westone Style 40-4 seen below

http://westone.com/earmold40-4.jpg

To order these you need $75 and a free hour to get to a Westone Audiologist in your area so they can take the moulds of your ears.

The question I always get is “are they comfortable?” My answer is yes! The 40-4 is a completely “in canal” plug. This means that there is no part of the plug that protrudes outside of your ear. This makes them ideal for use with the full face helmets that are so popular among sport bike riders.

Common complaint: “but when I wear plugs I can’t hear anything!” Ahhhh define irony. Ha ha! Since these Weston plugs are in canal, you don’t hear any “rubbing” noises as is the case with the back of foam plugs rubbing on the inside of your helmet. I have found that these plugs simply reduce sound levels.

Since these plugs are custom moulded, they will not shift around like the standard “foam” style ones will. I could never seem to get the foam plugs to stay in my left ear. After looking at my moulds and talking to my audiologist, I found that I have a peculiarly shaped left ear canal. This rendered the foam plugs useless for me. These custom plugs, however, stay firmly planted in my ear, whether I am riding my motorcycle or getting slammed around in a mosh pit at a 311 concert, as was the case earlier this week.

My only complaint: My only complaint on these plugs is that they do funky things with frequency response. They tend to reduce higher frequency or higher pitched sounds more effectively than lower frequency or lower pitched sounds. Note higher frequency sounds would be those produced by a tweeter in a stereo system where lower frequency sounds would be produced by a subwoofer. This makes the overall sound presentation slightly muffled when the plugs are in. Westone makes plugs called Style 49 that fix this problem with the use of integrating filters into the plug itself, but they carry a $270 price tag.

http://westone.com/earmold49.jpg

For the extra $200 I’ll stick with the muffled sound.

In conclusion, ladies and gents our sport unfortunately kills our ears. $75 can change all of that. So how about it who wants some?!?!?!


Check out these two companies as they both make custom moulded plugs for motorcyclists!

Arizonia Ear Protection (http://www.azearprotection.com/)

Westone Laboratories (http://www.westone.com)

[TreAdidas]

My actual plugs:

Note that the blue dotted plug is my left one and you can see how I have a weird hour glass shaped canal. You are supposed to have more of a cone shaped canal which is the case with the red dotted plug for my right ear

[dre_2k2_f4i]

Some friends of mine helped pass legislation that made foam/disposable ear plugs legal in California to wear while riding.

I just use the disposable ones -- got a pack of 100 pairs for like $20 or something. My brother says I should dispose of them after one or two uses because of bacteria and germs and all that bad stuff.

[TreAdidas]

Originally posted by dre_2k2_f4i
Some friends of mine helped pass legislation that made foam/disposable ear plugs legal in California to wear while riding.

I just use the disposable ones -- got a pack of 100 pairs for like $20 or something. My brother says I should dispose of them after one or two uses because of bacteria and germs and all that bad stuff.

Ahhh true true.... you should only use those once or twice. THe ones I have are made of minyl so you can wash them with dawn or something like that and they do not have the absorbing properties the foam ones have.

[Arnold_R1]

I think I should start wearing ear plugs but my exhaust tone isn't as loud as some as other bikes I rode with full systems or even 600's. But peace of mind says to get them for preventative measures!

[kc1717]

i feel like my balance is reduced by not getting the full sound spectrum.

i would only get the ones that are 270 with full spectrum, but im sure ill blow it on tires than save my ears :(

[pulse]

Originally posted by Arnold_R1
I think I should start wearing ear plugs but my exhaust tone isn't as loud as some as other bikes I rode with full systems or even 600's. But peace of mind says to get them for preventative measures! most of the sound problem does not come from your exhaust, it is the constant wind noise that breaks down your ears and cause baseline shifts. after taking a musical acustics class that covered hearing loss i have ridden with ear plugs ever since.

[TreAdidas]

Originally posted by pulse
most of the sound problem does not come from your exhaust, it is the constant wind noise that breaks down your ears and cause baseline shifts.

Correctomundo! It is not simply the Engine noise... quite honestly that is way lower than the wind noise.

A helmet unfortunately is no barrier. All the studies that I have read that tested sound levels during a motorcycle ride reported no more than a 3 decible decrease with a full face helmet.... not good at all. So the idea of a "quiet helmet" is rediculous.

[TreAdidas]

Originally posted by kc1717
i feel like my balance is reduced by not getting the full sound spectrum.

i would only get the ones that are 270 with full spectrum, but im sure ill blow it on tires than save my ears :(

Heh that's what I love about this sport... we all have our priorities straight... HAHA AH ;):-p

[hans]

www.softfoamearplugs.com
$6.29 for 50 pairs
Been using them for 2 years
'Nuff said

[typerflip]

I use these
http://www.earplugsonline.com/index.html

they are like play-dough in you ear . . . I don't think they do a "significantly" better job than foam but they do fit better once you use the right amount of the plug (too much and they will rub your helmet). I will probably look into the westone plugs because I commute from Temecula every day. In traffic it takes me an hour to get to work, comfort is a huge factor since I have to concentrate so hard for so long while I commute, I don't want any uncomfortable distractions.

[TreAdidas]

bump just for fun.

[RRandawg]

i wear the foam ear plugs once in awhile until i run out. i get lazy buying some more. i have tinnitus already so i really don't have an excuse of not wearing some sort of hearing protection. :nerd:

[pjpellici]

thanks for the info i will definitely look into those $75 ones!

[TreAdidas]

thanks for the info i will definitely look into those $75 ones!


Awesome!.... and just as a...

FOLLOW UP REVIEW ON THESE PLUGS

I unfortunately lost my plugs... bleh. I should have gotten a better case for them. I got into the habit of wearing these at clubs... which was great... but... I got back home one night smahsed out of my mind and these things have evaded me ever since.

When you go get your molds made by the Westone/Arizonia Ear Protection audiologist you can request that your plugs are made in a certian color. Get the brightest one possible. I had "flesh colored" plugs and those little devils blend in with pavement more than you would think if they happened to fall there.

Neat side note... if any of you folks are into live music .... Westone is the same company that makes in ear monitors that are used by a lot of musicians. That is... their monitors are built into the ear plugs... how cool is that!?!? I was also looking through westone's site and found that they had plugs for motorcyclists that work with intercoms and they had not had those in the past.... I wrote them an email saying hey if you had plugs thaty worked with a chatterbox I think people would be interested.... the result?.... motorcycle ear plugs with a headphone jack on them... while this isn't useful for chatterboxes... you could plug your Ipods into them... but that does border on illegal..... then again so does speeding down the five... :squid:

[EvilKawi]

Where can I get some of those custom plugs?

[TreAdidas]

Where can I get some of those custom plugs?

I went with Westone... they are pretty much the name brand when it comes to custom ear plugs. Although I'm sure the Arizonia Eap Protection company is also wildly sufficient. To locate an authorized dealer that can take your earmolds go on Westone's site under their "dispenser search." There are 18 places you can go if you just type in "San Diego" and "CA." If you're interested in narrowing it down even more... you can add the zip code.

http://www.westone.com/cgi-local/displookup.pl

I was reading that different dealers have different prices so you may want to call around to see if one is cheaper than the other. I paid $75 in Ohio is March of 2004.

::laughs::

We should see if someone will give us a group buy... or better yet a Hypercycles discount!


Health Plans
Also worth noting is that some of your health plans may cover these plugs. You are getting a professional service from a healthcare professional... so you may want to check and see if any of the listed audiologists are part of your health care network or whathaveyou....

[Grimey]

I was looking into custom plugs but tend to lose things. This site had a review on foam earplugs http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm. Probably pick up a box of these http://www.labsafety.com/search/default.htm?N=4294966963+4294966962+4294966733+429 4939681&Ns=seqno&dept_id=12621

[r1brip]

good post to resurrect- wear earplugs or be deaf when you are an old fart!!

[TreAdidas]

I was looking into custom plugs but tend to lose things. This site had a review on foam earplugs http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm. Probably pick up a box of these http://www.labsafety.com/search/default.htm?N=4294966963+4294966962+4294966733+429 4939681&Ns=seqno&dept_id=12621

I actually agree. I think that Howard Leight makes the best disposable plugs. I have tried probably 15 or so different brands in my lifetime and I think I like these the best.

What makes them superior is that they have the flared ends. The flared ends are good becaus eyou can't push them so far into your ear canal that it is a problem getting them out.

I prefer the foam style over the acrylic/latex models when we're talking one size fits all. The acrylic ones stick out too far and feel weird to me.

[TreAdidas]

http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_motorcyclefacts.shtml

Good read here... it refers to motorcycling in particular.

[whasian]

i wear ear plugs all the freaking time... it started not out of care for my hearing but just cause my ears bloody hurt every time i rode from wind noise. (maybe scorpions are freaking loud).

but yes... anyone know where to get a bulk amount of ear plugs for cheap? i lose them all over the place and most of the ones i have are mad nasty. i didn't know you're only supposed to use em a few times. hahah.

[Knightshade]

I got a set of custom ear plugs made a couple of months after wearing foamies..man..those things would expand..and my ears would hurt after wearing them on an extended ride!!

Got me a custom set for..I think $60 from a lady who does the Del Mar Gunshow. I was actually up in her area on business in Aliso Viejo and she said I could stop by and get them done in her garage. 20 minutes..flourscent orange...I love em!!!

http://www.earplugsusa.com/

on a side note..I just realized that I used them last weekend when I was demoing my kitchen..

One other interesting thing..is for those who are going to the LB Motorcycle show..somebody might be there doing them...there were several vendors at Laguna Seca last year.

[jbf41000]

We have had the Ear Plug lady come to our club meetings once a year to do the custom fitted ear plugs. She usually charges $ 40.00 a pair, does all the fitting and trimming, then takes them home, seals, them and sends them back. I usually get two sets, like to have a spare set in case I lose one.

If you get a large enough group, she will come down I'm sure. She usally needs at least 20 people to make it worth her while to come down from Laguna Niguel. As previously posted, you can get them done at the Del Mar Gun show, but $ 60.00 a pair sounds a bit high.

jb

[TreAdidas]

:bump:

And just a word on the legality of the issue in California

Straight from the DMV.....

Wearing of Headsets or Earplugs

27400. A person operating a motor vehicle or bicycle may not wear a headset covering, or earplugs in, both ears. This prohibition does not apply to any of the following:

(a) A person operating authorized emergency vehicles, as defined in Section 165.

(b) A person engaged in the operation of either special construction equipment or equipment for use in the maintenance of any highway.

(c) A person engaged in the operation of refuse collection equipment who is wearing a safety headset or safety earplugs.

(d) A person wearing personal hearing protectors in the form of earplugs or molds that are specifically designed to attenuate injurious noise levels. The plugs or molds shall be designed in a manner so as to not inhibit the wearer's ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or a horn from another motor vehicle.

(e) A person using a prosthetic device that aids the hard of hearing.

Amended Sec. 45, Ch. 594, Stats. 2003. Effective January 1, 2004.

[USMC600RR]

I am definitely getting a set of custom plugs. Probably also the 40-4. Working in aviation I'm exposed to loud noise all the time and I'd love to have something more comfortalbe than the hard foamies we have here.

What's the turnaround time? Got them to you same day?

[soundmann]

Turn around time is about 10 days to 2 weeks. You have to go to an audiologist to get molds of your inner ear made. They cost around $150.

[soundmann]

Correction, they cost me around $150. I'm not sure what others have paid. Also, they attenuate all sounds pretty evenly around 25dB.

[TreAdidas]

Correction, they cost me around $150. I'm not sure what others have paid. Also, they attenuate all sounds pretty evenly around 25dB.

Yeah $150 sounds right.. but that includes the visit to teh audiologist. I paid $75 for my 40-4's back in 2003 in Ohio, so I'm sure they've gone up a little since then.

And like I had noted in my first post, if attenuation data is of concern to you, then the style 49's have a filter that has a more accurate response.

Oh and as a word to the wise get them in some obnixiously bright color... or swirl. Mine were flesh colored and were a pain the the butt to find.

[USMC600RR]

I'll hit it up next week I think.

[grimfandango]

so i'm jacking chuckie's gear review format...

i hope that's ok...

Summary

-ok, we all can agree that teeth are important.
-why waste the investment of years in painful braces and retainers, over some (sometimes dumb) accident.
-As a motorcyclist if we crash, we subject our heads to many kilo-newtons of force. --Though our helmets protect our precious gooey insides, they don't protect your teeth from

1. slamming closed
2. breaking
3. looking like this guy

http://www.fm99.com/EventImages/Toothless.jpg

the helmet also doesn't prevent you from biting your tongue off...
(sux, but it has happened)

-so.. prices of these mouth-guards rage from... 5 to a couple hundred dollars.

-depending on how much you pay, they can be very comfortable, and they don't impede proper understandable speech, but again you pay for what you get.

The lecture at hand

Huh what’s that you say?

aside from riding gear, i'm sure that when growing up, my parents spent several thousand dollars on my oral hygiene/teeth straighenings/shininess (i had a couple removed and one was twisted on my lower jaw). I've been very irresponsible over the years by neglecting to wear my retainer and chewing ice to name a few, but it took me one moment to realize that i should take better care of them.

I was riding down near otay lakes/campo , talking to my friend on my chatterbox, when i hit a dip.. and nearly bit my tongue off... i spoke with a lisp for a couple days.

on my way home... still bleeding a bit, i stopped off at sport's authority and picked up a mouth-guard.

quoth the chuckie


Most all of the Hypercycles kin are of the mind that always wearing gear is pretty much the greatest idea since sliced bread.
Why do we believe this? We realize that the bottom line is every time we straddle the saddle and thumb starter, we accept the fact that there are certain risks involved in our sport and catastrophe is always lurking around that next corner. We wear gear in case something happens. Luckily, chaos accompanied with bodily injury does not strike every time we ride and we do not always have to use this gear.


endquote

this time its not a earplug but a mouthguard.


Forceful Information

a motorcycle crash will generally generate more force than say.. a fall from tripping on a soccer field.. or a racquetball racquet to the face. (all of which i have done)
but can generate forces similar to... skating full speed into the crossbar of a hockey goal, getting a rubber puck/lacrosse ball hit you on the head at 100+ mph, checked into the boards by three guys at full speed, or even getting viciously beaten by an irate goalie, after screening the goal. (all of which i've done)

so we wear a mouthguard in all these athletic situations, why don't we wear a mouthguard in a practice that can generate as much if not more force.


though they are not motorcycle specific here are some links

http://www.sportsdentistry.com/mouthguards.html

and this one is kinda gruesome

http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/mouthguards1.htm

and here's one that is motorcycle related



http://www.trailrider.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=30


My Newest Piece of Safety Gear

the mouthguard that i bought was a Shock Doctor Gel Ultra. Their top of the line model.


http://www.onlinesports.com/images/mw-ez7101a.jpg
ok mine doesn't have the lanyard attached to it..

They are 19.99 from your local sport's store. play it again sports has it for less (18 dollars i think)

mine came in green, but they are avaliable in red and green as well.
quoth the chuckie
The question I always get is “are they comfortable?”

ok so i don't really get asked this, but yes they are comfortable. my teeth get sore sometimes from biting down too hard on it, but i just have to remember not to bite down too hard (maybe i'm going too fast... prolly not) i think i just bite down hard, when i'm concentrating on something... atleast i'm not griding my teeth anymore.

Common complaint: "I can't speak with these in my mouth"

ok I agree.. these mouthguards do infact impede speech a bit. but not so much a fellow rider cannot understand him/her. It is akin to speaking while wearing a big retainer. And you get use to talking through your teeth quite fast. Generally the more money you pay for a mouth guard, the easier it will be to speak.

This mouthguard is a "boil and set" variety. You simply open the package.. drop them in a pot of boiling water.. count to 12.. then remove from the water.. shake excess boiled water.. and bite down really hard. The plastic gel will mold to your teeth.

If you get an improper fit the first time, drop the guard in the boiling water again and reset.

as i said the more you spend for your mouthguard the better quality it will be. I've spoken to athletes with 100-200 dollar mouthguards from dentists, and they can speak just fine + and they are also more effective in protecting your teeth from accidents...

but for 20 dollars i'll stick to my mouthguard.

The company
Shock doctor also stands by their product by offering an insurance policy for your teeth while using their mouth guards. If they are properly used, any damage to my teeth are covered by a $12500 insurance policy.

The amount of coverage for these products goes up and down, through their product rankings... so.. a cheaper mouthguard will offer less insurance coverage.

in conclusion i'm very happy with the guard, and reccomend them to anyone who rides a bike.

my disclaimer is that i have not crash tested the mouthguard (knocks on wood)
but have road tested them. Also with previous experience I have survived a concussion, from an irate goalie beating on my helmet.

thanks guys

and thanks chuckie for letting me steal your format


-grim

[grimfandango]

god i'm dumb

posting as a thread not as a response