Earplugs

[Buzzin (^_^)]

I know not all bikers use them, but I can't ride without earplugs.
Mostly because my helmet isn't very quiet.

So far I have been using standard off the shelf earplugs from Alpine, and they are ok for short use.

(around 20 euro at any motorcycle dealer, come with 2 different type of filters) During longer use they tend to get annoying.
And they are not quite as good as custom ones.

In February I bought custom fitted earplugs (soft ones) on the big motor exchange (beurs?) from Alpine (www.alpine.eu).

I opted for the red filter (almost the strongest filter) and had to wait for quite some time before receiving them in the post.
Well, I have to say, money well spent

On the drive to work today I was pleasantly surprised to find wind noise almost gone....and still being able to hear my music well
The sound of other road users is also still audible.
I haven't tested them for long runs yet, but I should imagine they are alot better then the standard ones.

Oh, the cost: 89 euro for the plugs. 15 for insurance (if I loose them, I get a new set ) and some change for the cleaning spray (which I didn't receive yet...)

Check out this site for more info: www.alpine.nl/EN/consumer_motor.htm

[micawber]

Due to the dreaded Ear Hair I find earplugs itchy and uncomfortable. When I was younger and ear hairless nobody wore them. Now that they are available, due to concerns about potential hearing loss etc, I can't wear them for long.
Consequently I tend not to use them. (Ear hair trimmers! I hear someone say. Yes but you end up with designer stubble in your ears. Very fashionable if you have anyone interested enough to peer in there, but itchy and scratchy otherwise). It's a jungle in there!
If they work for you I recommend you use them. Ear plugs, that is.

Though no doubt the ones shown by Buzzin are excellent products, 89 Euros plus 15 for insurance seems a bit steep!
After all these years of riding, I can't say I've noticed any hearing loss apart from the normal changes due to my advancing years (teenagers can hear frequencies even 25 year olds can't).

Mind you, I was never a particularly fast rider. If you do a lot of miles on the motorway you will certainly appreciate earplugs.
After the National Rally in 1978 (1,000 miles in a weekend) in an open face helmet my ears certainly buzzed for some time afterwards - the sort of effect you get from listening to loud music for hours. Haven't noticed that effect much since -different helmets, different journey patterns, I suppose. 1978 - I'll have to change my username to Methuselah if this goes on!

Micawber.

[Buzzin (^_^)]

The pricing may seem steep, but keep in mind they last for about 4 or 5 years.
Compared to throw away plugs it comes out cheaper in the long run, and they are alot better

Best way to get rid of in ear hair is probably not available in the UK
Lonely planet (loved that show) showed that in India the barbers on the street have a simple solution...fire. yes, fire.
Put cottonball on a stick with some fuel, light it and give to crazy barber.
he moves the ball to your ear and away again a few times really fast, covering your ear inbetween to make sure no fire erupts there...
The presenter said it worked

I haven't felt the need to prove him wrong yet

[McF]

I can get quite a lot of wind noise on the Pan from the blast that the fairing sends into my face if I'm sat straight upright. It's generally fairly quiet though.
I do wear earplugs for longer journeys, or if it's particularly windy. I've been thinking of buying some autocom "in ear speakers" which are recommended by several bikers from work. They will eliminate wind noise and make my autocom easier to listen to.

I'm currently using soft "roll em up and stick em in" ear plugs, generally considered disposable, but they seem to last me quite a while. I bought a pack of ten ages ago for about £5 and still have a few pairs.

I too have a developing ear (and eyebrow and nose!) hair issue. I've never noticed a problem with ear plugs, but the hairs do tickle, so I did buy a trimmer and this does the trick.

My son is a drummer and wears an excellent set of "plug in" ear plugs, similar to Buzzin's "Alpine" ones. They cut out all of the high pressure damage that could cause him problems, but still allow him to hear the rest of the group and his drums clearly.

I know a lot of people that neglected their hearing in earlier life and are suffering now. Hearing loss is one thing, but you can use a hearing aid to help cope (the good ones are very expensive however!)
Tinnitus is a completely different thing however and can drive you crazy.