Hearing protection

[Kata]

Looks like Nick has had his oats yesterday...

[menzies3032]

Daft as it sounds never use ear plugs for the track but road riding in particular need to use them as wind noise is the killer. I am lucky with having wide ear canals so I am able to do the cheap version and the foam ones work well for me and are comfortable.

[Shooey]

Okay, so I've been riding for 2 years now and have tried 3 different forms of hearing protection (see below), well 4 if you include those foam things that just dont work in my ears. I started with Auritech Biker Hearing Protectors but found the fit a little weird but comfortable. The issue with these was, I wasn't sure that were actually offering any protection as the noise level was not reduced that much at all. I understand that the noise is filtered but I remain sceptical.

After doing a few track days and seeing lots of people with moulded ear protection I tried the R&G DIY Moulded Ear Plugs, a cheap alternative to the professionals! Whilst these are good, obviously the fit is great, although a little proud, which makes my ears sore when putting helmet on and taken it off repeatedly, like on track days. Also, there is no filter and noise levels are reduced too much. Intercom is pretty much out of the question.

So, after talking to a number of fellow SWB's, I learn the 'Honiton Hearing' offer a Low profile, filtered, moulded plug. You can even choose the colour! Whilst early days, the fit is great without being bulky, noise levels are reduced significantly but not to the levels where you can't hear anything! Putting your helmet on with the plugs in is not an issue due to the slim, sleek fit of the plug. Yet to try intercom but imagine this will be spot on due to the filter in the plug. Plugs come with a case and cleaner.

Here's the details of the 3 products.

Honiton Hearing

Low profile, filtered moulded plug £85.00

https://honiton-hearing.co.uk/services/ ... rotection/

MOTORCYCLING
Most people think that a motorcycle helmet will protect their hearing, but in fact, it is the opposite. Riding your motorcycle from Honiton to Exeter at 60mph will take approximately 30 minutes. Test results show this places 101dB (A) on your eardrums, even with a helmet on. Colin confirms, “Your daily limit of exposure, without damage, is 102dB for 30 minutes. Exceeding these limits can cause damage to the inner ear, resulting in temporary or permanent deafness, tinnitus and oversensitivity to various sounds.”

There are 2 main sources for noise when riding a motorcycle, below 20mph, most of the noise will come from the motor, but above 40mph the noise emphasis shifts to wind noise. So far advances in helmet design have made little difference to the sound levels in the ear, but without a helmet the sound reaching the ear is around 18dB higher at all speeds. It is true that susceptibility to noise induced hearing loss varies between people, and there is also little real difference between bikes, helmets, and riding styles. However, interestingly, signal detection is improved with plugs in above around 40 mph, so they should be considered essential for all but short urban journeys

As a rough guide the sound levels at the ear relate to the speed you are doing … Bear in mind the 80dB (A) action level for industry … that equates to roughly 30mph, anything above 30mph and you need to protect your hearing.

So for motorcycling, ear plugs are the answer!

Normally a low profile filtered plug, or a moulded communication system.


R&G Racing

DIY Moulded Ear Plugs £17.91

Here's the link:

https://www.rg-racing.com/browsetype/Ear_Protectors/

Auritech Biker Ear Plugs

Noise cancelling ear plugs with patented ceramic filters £19.95

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/209932

The wind noise produced on a motorcycle can reach 105db; for spectators, levels up to 130db have been recorded! Research has proven that your hearing can be damaged with any noise level exceeding 85db, so it is essential to use hearing protection whenever possible. Developed over 20 years by leading experts, Auritech Biker Hearing Protectors are superior to traditional foam, was and silicone earplugs. Auritech hearing protectors are precision tuned with patented ceramic filters to ensure maximum protection from dangerous levels of engine, wind and road noise. The unique filtration in these hearing protectors allows conversation, sirens and horns to remain clearly audible with no muffled effect. They are extremely comfortable to wear and suitable for all ages.

Auritech Biker Hearing Protectors are precisely tuned for optimum attenuation at the frequencies required by motorsport enthusiasts, particularly motorcyclists. The independently measured mean sound attenuation (EN352-2:2002) is 29.6db at the higher (most damaging) frequencies.

Can you put them in on your own now Paul?

Nob!!

[Red5]

Okay, so I've been riding for 2 years now and have tried 3 different forms of hearing protection (see below), well 4 if you include those foam things that just dont work in my ears. I started with Auritech Biker Hearing Protectors but found the fit a little weird but comfortable. The issue with these was, I wasn't sure that were actually offering any protection as the noise level was not reduced that much at all. I understand that the noise is filtered but I remain sceptical.

After doing a few track days and seeing lots of people with moulded ear protection I tried the R&G DIY Moulded Ear Plugs, a cheap alternative to the professionals! Whilst these are good, obviously the fit is great, although a little proud, which makes my ears sore when putting helmet on and taken it off repeatedly, like on track days. Also, there is no filter and noise levels are reduced too much. Intercom is pretty much out of the question.

So, after talking to a number of fellow SWB's, I learn the 'Honiton Hearing' offer a Low profile, filtered, moulded plug. You can even choose the colour! Whilst early days, the fit is great without being bulky, noise levels are reduced significantly but not to the levels where you can't hear anything! Putting your helmet on with the plugs in is not an issue due to the slim, sleek fit of the plug. Yet to try intercom but imagine this will be spot on due to the filter in the plug. Plugs come with a case and cleaner.

Here's the details of the 3 products.

Honiton Hearing

Low profile, filtered moulded plug £85.00

https://honiton-hearing.co.uk/services/ ... rotection/

MOTORCYCLING
Most people think that a motorcycle helmet will protect their hearing, but in fact, it is the opposite. Riding your motorcycle from Honiton to Exeter at 60mph will take approximately 30 minutes. Test results show this places 101dB (A) on your eardrums, even with a helmet on. Colin confirms, “Your daily limit of exposure, without damage, is 102dB for 30 minutes. Exceeding these limits can cause damage to the inner ear, resulting in temporary or permanent deafness, tinnitus and oversensitivity to various sounds.”

There are 2 main sources for noise when riding a motorcycle, below 20mph, most of the noise will come from the motor, but above 40mph the noise emphasis shifts to wind noise. So far advances in helmet design have made little difference to the sound levels in the ear, but without a helmet the sound reaching the ear is around 18dB higher at all speeds. It is true that susceptibility to noise induced hearing loss varies between people, and there is also little real difference between bikes, helmets, and riding styles. However, interestingly, signal detection is improved with plugs in above around 40 mph, so they should be considered essential for all but short urban journeys

As a rough guide the sound levels at the ear relate to the speed you are doing … Bear in mind the 80dB (A) action level for industry … that equates to roughly 30mph, anything above 30mph and you need to protect your hearing.

So for motorcycling, ear plugs are the answer!

Normally a low profile filtered plug, or a moulded communication system.


R&G Racing

DIY Moulded Ear Plugs £17.91

Here's the link:

https://www.rg-racing.com/browsetype/Ear_Protectors/

Auritech Biker Ear Plugs

Noise cancelling ear plugs with patented ceramic filters £19.95

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/209932

The wind noise produced on a motorcycle can reach 105db; for spectators, levels up to 130db have been recorded! Research has proven that your hearing can be damaged with any noise level exceeding 85db, so it is essential to use hearing protection whenever possible. Developed over 20 years by leading experts, Auritech Biker Hearing Protectors are superior to traditional foam, was and silicone earplugs. Auritech hearing protectors are precision tuned with patented ceramic filters to ensure maximum protection from dangerous levels of engine, wind and road noise. The unique filtration in these hearing protectors allows conversation, sirens and horns to remain clearly audible with no muffled effect. They are extremely comfortable to wear and suitable for all ages.

Auritech Biker Hearing Protectors are precisely tuned for optimum attenuation at the frequencies required by motorsport enthusiasts, particularly motorcyclists. The independently measured mean sound attenuation (EN352-2:2002) is 29.6db at the higher (most damaging) frequencies.

Can you put them in on your own now Paul?

Nob!!