Hearing Protection

[LPadilla34]

I'm badly in need of a pair of ear plugs/hearing protection. I haven't been riding my bike because I got a ruptured eardrum and it really hurts when the wind enters my ear. My doctor said that it may take a while (2 to 3 months)before the ruptured eardrum finally heals up so I really need to take good care of it. I don't want it to get infected so I guess earplugs would really help.

Would something like this be good? They are made for motorcycle riding so I guess I can still hear my surroundings while wearing them...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zsEL8SpLxQ
https://www.bigearinc.com/

[Bruce K]

I would not recommend anything designed for shooting sports or industrial use as they are “all or nothing” in electronic versions and “all” in earplug styles.

Anything in ear should be custom fitted (even do it yourself like Decibulz brand) for maximum comfort and retention. I didn’t watch the whole video but those did not look fitted.

You should also look for one with some type of “keeper” on it to either wear between them or tie to your helmet strap should one accidentally pop out.

Good luck

BK

[NHAero]

Many years ago I had some custom earplugs made by an audiologist for motorcycle riding. they are silicone and they are made to accept Etymotic inserts which are made in different ratings. The “musician's” model is the most expensive because they reduce sound at the same/similar amount across the frequencies, yielding the most true sound, but at reduced pressure.

I still have and use these, they've been a great purchase. I take them to concerts, etc., use them for air travel, or just in a noisy motel room.

[AngryScientist]

I don't want it to get infected so I guess earplugs would really help.


to be honest, my gut feeling is that you should probably just try and lay off riding until you're fully healed up in there. any ear protection that i've used (and i work in the power/heavy industry, so i've tried a few systems...) blocks airflow as well as sound and causes sweat. that seems like a recipe for infection.

i'm no doctor, but it sounds like a pretty serious with the ruptured drum, and if the doc says 2-3 months to fully heal, i would probably opt for the side of caution and stay off the bike and give my ear the best chance of a full, uncomplicated healing.

just a thought, again, no doctor here!

[DfCas]

I had an audiologist make me a pair of Musicians earplugs. They reduce the noise level by 13db. I'm a piano tuner but i play i a rock band and don't want any hearing damage. They cost about $150.

[jmoore]

Ride your trainer while they heal

[dem]

I had a set of Big Ear custom plugs made.. they go down as one of the worst purchases of my life. :) The hard plastic versions just never felt comfortable and would cause pain after a short time.

I've tried a bunch of others too, Etymonic flat attenuation, various foam plugs, etc.

For your usage, I'd suggest these:
https://www.earasers.net/collections/musician-s-hifi-earplugs/products/earasers

Soft, comfortable, flat response, not too much noise reduction.

[Tony]

I use Doc proplugs on the water and on my bike, works!
https://www.proplugs.com/

[cbbr]

I have a sensitive ear from an accident years ago and I use Etymotic and Eargasim while driving (Miata, top-down unless pouring rain). I don't need them for the bike generally. You can hear traffic, etc, they just cut the ambient and quiet things down a bit. They start at about $13 on Amazon.