Re: Rarely mentioned safety gear.
 

yeah, late to the party, but wanted to 2nd (or 10th) the earplug recommendation. When I first started riding I didn't use them, and I got the strangest ringing in my ears when I was at work. That was enough for me. I did feel odd at first, and everything sounded strange, but now I can't/won't ride without them.

Re: Rarely mentioned safety gear.
 

The ringing is Tinnitus. I've had it for over 40 years. If yours went away you are very lucky. Hearing damage like Tinnitus is usually permanent.

Re: Rarely mentioned safety gear.
 

Geeez, from all the concerts i'm on, my bike sounds great to me, I pnly have earplugs from my mp3 player ;) I'll consider and try it once with earplugs... You never know when it's too late...

Re: Rarely mentioned safety gear.
 

Sorry to hear about the tinnitus. I was worried about it at first but my helmet seemed fairly quiet and I have a big windshield. Once I heard that little ringing, though, it was all earplugs all the time. It was just a tiny ringing here and there, and only briefly, but you're right, once there is hearing damage, it's permanent.

Re: Rarely mentioned safety gear.
 

I have had mild tinnitus for years, not noticeable if there is some other noise but noticeable in the quiet. It is not bad enough to bother me, but when I rode those few times without earplugs it did get louder for an hour or so before quieting back down.

If I have a few beers the ringing gets louder.

Re: Rarely mentioned safety gear.
 

I too have tinnitus.I'm some what the same,that it's not too bad if I'm not in total quietness.I always leave a radio on at night to keep the ringing from driving me nuts.
:) :retard:

Re: Rarely mentioned safety gear.
 

I didn't like the foam earplugs, they just felt weird to me, but since I swim laps I have some small rubber ear plugs to keep the water out and a few years ago I found

them to work well when I chaperoned a bunch of teenagers at a concert, so I started using them when riding and they work great, are comfortable, and cheap and they

stay in until I pull them out. You can find them with the swimming supplies at Wal-mart or probably any sporting goods store. Just thought I'd throw another alternative

out there.

Re: Rarely mentioned safety gear.
 

:2tup: :2tup:

Re: Rarely mentioned safety gear.
 

My audiologist sells ear plugs that are made to measure (by taking a mould, just like he does for hearing aids) Don't know how expensive they are, but if they're as comfortable as my hearing aids,they'll be fine. :)

Re: Rarely mentioned safety gear.
 

We use Howard Leight Laser-lites at work and I found them to work very well on the bike. Great noise attenuation and very comfortable. I found the Max style to be even quieter but they are harder to find around here.
I never ride without ear plugs.
http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/laser-lite