Earplugs?
#42
RE: Earplugs?
Too many gunshots, racing motors, etc.has resulted in a loud "woooooo" in my ears, very noticeable in a quiet room. I use plugs religiously to block the wind noise on my bike, in the hopes of not worsening this condition.
Even WITH plugs, a long day ridingcan certainly exceed OSHA standards.
OSHAPERMISSIBLE NOISE EXPOSURES (1)
__________________________________________________ ____________
|
Duration per day, hours | Sound level dBA slow response
____________________________|_____________________ ____________
|
8...........................| 90
6...........................| 92
4...........................| 95
3...........................| 97
2...........................| 100
1 1/2 ......................| 102
1...........................| 105
1/2 ........................| 110
1/4 or less................| 115
____________________________|_____________________ ___________
If you cruise all day without a helmet (or worse, in a half helmet), you are at about 120 db of wind noise at the canal. Real world effectiveness of a 30 db foam plug is about a 25 db reduction. So, you can see you are at 95 db for let's say 10 hours, which greatly exceeds OSHA's standard.
I think there is a lot of bone induction noise at speed. Meaning the air hitting your head/face actually makes it way to the eardrum without coming in the ear canal. That seems very loud to me and does not drop when I clasp both hands over both my ears...
It's a lot different from gunshots because of the duration. You might be getting 120 db from firing your .50 BMG, but only for 1/10 of a second. You are out all day on a bike.
I don't have an answer for this, it is what it is. I guess a full face helmet might help.
Even WITH plugs, a long day ridingcan certainly exceed OSHA standards.
OSHAPERMISSIBLE NOISE EXPOSURES (1)
__________________________________________________ ____________
|
Duration per day, hours | Sound level dBA slow response
____________________________|_____________________ ____________
|
8...........................| 90
6...........................| 92
4...........................| 95
3...........................| 97
2...........................| 100
1 1/2 ......................| 102
1...........................| 105
1/2 ........................| 110
1/4 or less................| 115
____________________________|_____________________ ___________
If you cruise all day without a helmet (or worse, in a half helmet), you are at about 120 db of wind noise at the canal. Real world effectiveness of a 30 db foam plug is about a 25 db reduction. So, you can see you are at 95 db for let's say 10 hours, which greatly exceeds OSHA's standard.
I think there is a lot of bone induction noise at speed. Meaning the air hitting your head/face actually makes it way to the eardrum without coming in the ear canal. That seems very loud to me and does not drop when I clasp both hands over both my ears...
It's a lot different from gunshots because of the duration. You might be getting 120 db from firing your .50 BMG, but only for 1/10 of a second. You are out all day on a bike.
I don't have an answer for this, it is what it is. I guess a full face helmet might help.
#44
RE: Earplugs?
Always wear my earplugs when riding. I have a couple dozen pairs of the foam ones. I wear them one time and throw them in a jar. When there are enough dirty ones, the wife puts them in a mesh bag and runs them through the washing machine.
Tom
Tom
#45
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sacramento California!!!
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RE: Earplugs?
ORIGINAL: BkrDude001
By the way, what constitutes a good helmet?
By the way, what constitutes a good helmet?
#47
RE: Earplugs?
I don't really notice a noise problem with my 3/4 helmet on but this is based on the 20-40 mile rides I take, none of which are on the highway.
ORIGINAL: myuserid
Anyone use earplugs while riding? Ive just started riding and holy smokes the wind noise is killing me. I would prefer not to loose my hearing. Anyone every use any of these plugs...
Anyone use earplugs while riding? Ive just started riding and holy smokes the wind noise is killing me. I would prefer not to loose my hearing. Anyone every use any of these plugs...
#48
RE: Earplugs?
As a retired rock musician with 30% of my hearing left(and probably 60% of my liver [sm=icon_guiness.gif]) wearing earplugs may save what little hearing I have left; although the earplug will not help the liver. I have to say after I started to wear earplugs while playing live, and atconcertsthe music started to sound a lot more crisp and clear. Although, I haven't tried wearing them riding with my tunes cranking on the bike I'm going to give it a go today. Thanks Guys I like this idea ..........
#49
RE: Earplugs?
ORIGINAL: myuserid
Anyone use earplugs while riding? Ive just started riding and holy smokes the wind noise is killing me. I would prefer not to loose my hearing. Anyone every use any of these plugs...
Anyone use earplugs while riding? Ive just started riding and holy smokes the wind noise is killing me. I would prefer not to loose my hearing. Anyone every use any of these plugs...
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"ever hear of these plugs?" and then links a site for a whole variety of hearing protection.