Earplugs: Difference between revisions

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There is absolutely no doubt that exposure to noise levels in excess of 100 db causes cumulative {{wikipedia|hearing damage}}. Worse yet, this is hearing loss that you can never recover. Once it goes away, it's gone forever. Eventually you are likely to develop {{wikipedia|tinnitus}}, a constant 'singing' or 'whistling' in your ears that overlays everything you hear. No fun.

~~The best~~ solution is a pair of custom fitted earplugs made by an {{wikipedia|audiologist}}. These are cast out of space age polymers from molds made in your own ears and contain a tiny valve that allows low level sounds to be heard, while at the same time cutting out everything that's above a given sound pressure. You can still hear sirens, horns, and so forth, but the wind noise is pretty much gone. (And that constant wind noise really tires you out. Try it and see.) Most riders use disposable store-bought plugs and are quite content with them. They can be found in the pharmacy section of many stores, or in larger quantities inexpensively online (see below).

One solution is a pair of custom fitted earplugs made by an {{wikipedia|audiologist}}. These are cast out of space age polymers from molds made in your own ears and contain a tiny valve that allows low level sounds to be heard, while at the same time cutting out everything that's above a given sound pressure. You can still hear sirens, horns, and so forth, but the wind noise is pretty much gone. (And that constant wind noise really tires you out. Try it and see.)

People have had differing luck with the custom-made ones. If you decide to go this route, make sure you wear your helmet when getting the mold made. Another thing some people do is coat them in something (Duke uses neosporin, others use Vaseline) which helps with sealing. All this makes a lot of people just stick with regular foam plugs.

Most riders use disposable store-bought plugs and are quite content with them. They can be found in the pharmacy section of many stores, or in larger quantities inexpensively online (see below).

====Earplug survey====

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 There is absolutely no doubt that exposure to noise levels in excess of 100 db causes cumulative {{wikipedia|hearing damage}}. Worse yet, this is hearing loss that you can never recover. Once it goes away, it's gone forever. Eventually you are likely to develop {{wikipedia|tinnitus}}, a constant 'singing' or 'whistling' in your ears that overlays everything you hear. No fun.
-The best solution is a pair of custom fitted earplugs made by an {{wikipedia|audiologist}}. These are cast out of space age polymers from molds made in your own ears and contain a tiny valve that allows low level sounds to be heard, while at the same time cutting out everything that's above a given sound pressure. You can still hear sirens, horns, and so forth, but the wind noise is pretty much gone. (And that constant wind noise really tires you out. Try it and see.) Most riders use disposable store-bought plugs and are quite content with them.  They can be found in the pharmacy section of many stores, or in larger quantities inexpensively online (see below).
+One solution is a pair of custom fitted earplugs made by an {{wikipedia|audiologist}}. These are cast out of space age polymers from molds made in your own ears and contain a tiny valve that allows low level sounds to be heard, while at the same time cutting out everything that's above a given sound pressure. You can still hear sirens, horns, and so forth, but the wind noise is pretty much gone. (And that constant wind noise really tires you out. Try it and see.)
+People have had differing luck with the custom-made ones. If you decide to go this route, make sure you wear your helmet when getting the mold made. Another thing some people do is coat them in something (Duke uses neosporin, others use Vaseline) which helps with sealing. All this makes a lot of people just stick with regular foam plugs.
+Most riders use disposable store-bought plugs and are quite content with them.  They can be found in the pharmacy section of many stores, or in larger quantities inexpensively online (see below).
 ====Earplug survey====