Kitcat Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 I have seen the subject of ear protection popping up here and there, just as an aside, in various posts lately.It is actually a serious issue with our cars so I thot I'd start a thread devoted just to it. My experience: I bought my 7 over 3 years ago in NJ and drove 700 miles home with foam ear inserts. Since then I have had a mild tinnitus (ringing) in my right (not left) ear. Yes, it is ringing away as I type this. Since that experience, I always wear the foam inserts and the ear muff type ear protection, available at hardware stores for abt $15.00. The kind of things people use for mowing their lawns, running power saws, etc. Since then, no problemo. It has the additional advantage of holding my baseball hat in place. I think the incredible and constant wind buffeting is what did my ear in. The exhaust etc, is pretty mellow at a steady speed, even 75 mph. I have the rear exiting exhaust so the sound exits behind my ears too, which helps. So, a word to the wise. And, if other ear damage sufferers want to add their experiences, solution's, it mite help some of the newbies/lurkers from making the same mistake when the magical day comes and the get their se7en. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James A Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 I agree completely, WEAR HEARING PROTECTION! People laugh at me because I have a large box of foam ear plugs in the garage, but everyone who gets in the car gets a set. Anyone have custom fit hearing protection that can talk about its effectiveness? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnyG Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 I have two sets of the custom fit ear protection. A vented set I wear at work (shop teacher) which is a bit less effective than the solid set I use in the 7. I've used both the form-fitted and the foam plugs when I worked at a sawmill. The foam inserts are much more effective than the form fitted ones. The form fitted ones are more comfortable and easier to use, but cost about $100 for a pair (local pricing). They should last at least 10 years. My vented set I've been using since '94 and they still work and fit fine. On long trips, if it's not too hot out, I wear the plugs AND an Elmer-Fudd ear-flap hat to control some of the buffeting. The wind buffeting is brutal, and I'm sure is the greatest noise problem. It's not "noise" - it's "pressure." Like "Sound Pressure" which is just pressurized air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 (edited) I believe it is illegal to wear a headset of the type described by Mike in the original post while driving in some states. edited for clarity (in red) Edited July 17, 2010 by Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 hands free phone device. the older laws are rendered mute by current technology and more recent laws in most states. That being said, my hearing is tested is tested annually by law. My hearing has not diminished. Granted I am younger than the typical se7en driver, and my 7 is quieter than most (for now). I do agree that u should make hearing protection available to your self. If i am not using my headphones on my phone, i have a set of etymotic like reusable ear plugs that i bought from a blatchat group buy several years ago. http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx they have other units which have speakers and microphones as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersportsp Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 Any time I am in the car for more than running some errands around town, I put in ear plugs. Sitting about three feet from the exhaust outlet is not good for long-term hearing health Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 Add me to the list of those that always wear the foam plugs. I have at least 3 sets that are in the handbrake cutout for easy access. I'm not sure that they are the best solution but they are certainly better than nothing. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athens7 Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 i have a set of etymotic like reusable ear plugs that i bought from a blatchat group buy several years ago. http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx +1 on these plugs. $12, comfortable and durable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 I use the same. The wind bothers me much more than the exhaust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 Foam units for short trips. I had set of molded fit rubber ear plugs made that has speakers built in them. I can plug into comm unit that has I pod, radar and communication inputs. I like these for a long trip. I have also used the ear muff style units which work ok but popo can snag u with those on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted July 18, 2010 Share Posted July 18, 2010 (edited) What did you say...:rofl:...excuse me I have to take out my foam ear plugs.....:bigear: Local hardware sells them in a case (500 pair) for very reasonable cost and they also work well when you just need to block out someones bickering for putting grease rags into the washer and then not running an empty load after to insure all the grease is out of the washing machine before someone uses it to wash cloths.....not that I have done that but they due work good for that also.:seeya: Edited July 19, 2010 by MHKflyer52 Missing letters in red Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bster13 Posted July 19, 2010 Share Posted July 19, 2010 (Former) Long time motorcyclist here who learned about good hearing protection a long time ago. I use these plugs: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/earsoft-yellow-neons1.html NRR of 33 is about as good as it gets and they are comfy for me. I find that if I throw the plugs in the wash they clean up real nice and I don't need the more expensive ones. All ear plugs (material aside) are not the same. The NRR is huge! http://www.coopersafety.com/NoiseReduction.aspx Safety for my head during impact and safety for my hearing are only part of the reason why I'll be wearing a helmet while in the car...the other reason is comfort and fatigue. I learned a long time ago limiting the noise did wonders for improving my concentration and ability to drive long distances on the bike. Having a helmet and ear plugs is the way to go for me. Great topic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V-Robb Posted July 20, 2010 Share Posted July 20, 2010 Also a long time MC rider - it's surprising how fatigued you can get just from noise. And it's not just what you can hear, there are lots of ultrasonic harmonics in the wind noise that you can't hear but will damage your hearing very quickly. I get my big boxes of plugs from MSC Direct online. Cheap and effective! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 The actual BD level from most of our cars while we are inside is below the level that will cause hearing loss, same for MOST bikes, unless you go for a set of bad neighbor pipes. The wind buffeting is much more damaging as although it is a fairly low frequency (much of it too low for us "older folk" to still pick up on) and doesn't "seem" all that loud the actual pressure levels are very high, and constant. Low cycle sound requires much more energy for us to register it as being "loud". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimrankin Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Make that DB level, as in decible, not BD as in "i din't tyep wel" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bster13 Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 Just purchased 75 pairs for $12.49 on EBAY w/ NRR33 in preparation for my trip to OK to purchase and drive back my Super Stalker at the end of the month!!!! (can you tell I plan to be driving a bunch with that many pairs? haha) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share Posted August 1, 2010 The foam pads are reusable. I get abt a month of use out of each set before I lose them and go on to the next pair. I have a set stuffed in my pocket now that have lasted this entire season. Seventy five might be a lifetime supply:). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobone Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 How many guys wear a helmet in their 7? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Only when I am Auto-Xing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bster13 Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Yes, 75 pairs just for me will last a LONG time, but I'll have the GF in tow a bunch and I'm sure I'll need spares for everyone that has said they wanted a ride when I get the car. I plan on wearing the helmet every time I am in the car to cut down on wind noise (hearing damage) and added protection (I feel naked coming from riding motorcycles and wearing helmets all the time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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