Wind noise and Ear Plugs

[Canzvt]

I'm looking for an expert in hearing protection. EVERY time I come back from a ride, be it 20 mins or 8 hrs, my ears are ringing. I have tried every solution I know of, and still looking for more. The noise that does the damage is wind. My T7 is piped, but about about 80 km/h I can't hear it. That's when the wind starts to create problems. Some of the things I've tried:

 

- Taller windshield (too much physical buffeting)

- Shorter windshield (works better for me)

- Winglets (stock seems better)

- With mirrors or without - no difference

- Helmet - Shoei GT Air, GT Air 2, RF1200, Klim Krios - Little difference other than the RF1200 is the quietest

 

I've also tried multiple ear plugs as follows: (See attached Pic)

 

- Every foamy one I can find - nope

- A - Custom fitted after 3 attempts. Finally cast these ones with my helmet on. Work well until I sweat then they leak noise. 1st choice.

- B - Alpine 24hr Lemans - nope - Might as well not had them in. Read on a UK forum that ALPINE makes the BEST EARPLUGS EVER for motorsports. I disagree.

- C - Alpine Motosafe Black - nope - Red - nope. Red was better but still NOWHERE near A. Black was the same as the 24LM above.

- D - Moldable waxy ones for swimming - nope. Might keep water out, but not wind.

- E - dB Music adjustable - Nope. Like not having earplugs, regardless of slider setting

- F - dB Blocker Custom - These are ok until I sweat, then they leak noise. 4th choice.

- G - Bose Quiet Comfort 2 noise cancelling earbuds - Work well. Don't leak. Make my Camel piped T7 sound like a CRF50 twin, but they work, and I can listen to music. Can't get my helmet off though...without ripping an ear off. 2nd choice.

- H - Custom cast earplugs with built in speakers - Work well, but leak noise when I chew or yawn, or if the wind catches my helmet, or I sweat. 3rd choice.

 

So, I'm reaching out to the community to see if anyone knows of someone who might have a solution. My solution A above came from the Alberta Audiology Clinic in Edmonton. They know their stuff, but I'm about 20 years too young to be there  and they can't seem to do any more for me. My next thought is to go with these, https://quietridemuffs.com/, but not too wild about cutting up the inside of my helmet to make them work. I've now invested well over $1200 CAD is hearing protection, and while I'm getting better solutions, I'm not there yet.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

[Tenerider]

Oh well, you've put a lot of effort in this - and money.

 

For me, Loop work quite well:

Your life, your volume | Loop Earplugs

---

Live Life at your volume by reducing the noise in style.

 

They are really comfy, sweating was no problem for me yet, they last long (no signs of wear after a year now), don't protude too much.

Sound ok for me, my Cardo actually sounds a little bit better with them.

[Goody Boy]

50 minutes ago, Tenerider said:

Oh well, you've put a lot of effort in this - and money.

 

For me, Loop work quite well:

Your life, your volume | Loop Earplugs

---

Live Life at your volume by reducing the noise in style.

 

They are really comfy, sweating was no problem for me yet, they last long (no signs of wear after a year now), don't protude too much.

Sound ok for me, my Cardo actually sounds a little bit better with them.

 

Loop have been the best for me as well so far. And for a fraction of the cost of the more expensive options. But I don't think I'm nowhere near as sensitive as the OP. And my ears don't get sweat inside them.

 

@Canzvt Maybe you can wear a Balaclava to control the sweat from going inside your ears.

 

 

[john_aero]

I would suggest you go and have a specialist check them out.

 

there is more than likely another issue which is aggravated by the bike, I feel you pain I suffer from ear trouble.

 

I use the DIY kits as most pre made ones cant be made fit my ear or are extremely uncomfortable. I had great hope for the Db but they would fit my narrow ear canals.

 

I avoid any with built in buds as they are too rigid and make it more difficult for a constant seal. I i want music I fit a sena intercom system

 

I found the DIY kits don't leak much unless yawning and or chewing. however the leakage is very very minimal I found. Biggest issue is they do shrink over time making them a loose fit. I even wear these while in work

 

have you tried other bikes to see if its yammy thing?

Edited June 23, 2023 by john_aero

[Alan M]

I had a similar problem with the T7.

 

I’ve used cheap foam type plugs for years with other bikes and had no issues with noise but the T7 is particularly bad with wind noise. I tried various types of disposable and non disposable plugs.

 

In the past I never moistened, licked, the plug before fitting. Now I really squeeze the plug into a long thin point, lick it and push as far as possible into my lug. I usually wait a little before fitting my helmet to give the plug a chance to expand and lock in place as I’ve found fitting the helmet can dislodge the plug a little and it’s useless.

 

This has worked for me and I can now usually tell before I set off if they’re in far enough.

 

Normally don’t reuse them.

[Canzvt]

8 hours ago, Goody Boy said:

 

Loop have been the best for me as well so far. And for a fraction of the cost of the more expensive options. But I don't think I'm nowhere near as sensitive as the OP. And my ears don't get sweat inside them.

 

@Canzvt Maybe you can wear a Balaclava to control the sweat from going inside your ears.

 

 

Thanks for the feedback! The loop product uses the same mushroom cap type ear seal which I've found on numerous products, doesn't work for me. As for sweating, it seems that my ear canal develops moisture on super hot rides, such as my recent 3 week tour through the southwestern US. I would pull my customs out, dry them, try to dry my ear canal, and refit, only to have them leak 30 min later.

[Canzvt]

7 hours ago, john_aero said:

I would suggest you go and have a specialist check them out.

 

there is more than likely another issue which is aggravated by the bike, I feel you pain I suffer from ear trouble.

 

I use the DIY kits as most pre made ones cant be made fit my ear or are extremely uncomfortable. I had great hope for the Db but they would fit my narrow ear canals.

 

I avoid any with built in buds as they are too rigid and make it more difficult for a constant seal. I i want music I fit a sena intercom system

 

I found the DIY kits don't leak much unless yawning and or chewing. however the leakage is very very minimal I found. Biggest issue is they do shrink over time making them a loose fit. I even wear these while in work

 

have you tried other bikes to see if its yammy thing?

I've had a specialist build me my last set - "A" in the photo. Maybe I need another specialist! As for the bike, yes, I've cut down the factory T7 screen to match the crossbar, and it is better, but standing up eliminates the bike, and the problem still exists. I'm finding my Super T causes me problems now too, which never did before in my previous 35,000kms of riding it. It seems to be largely bike independent. It's mainly my left ear, and I need to figure it out, or quit riding - something I have been doing for 45 years, and don't want to give up.

[john_aero]

16 minutes ago, Canzvt said:

I've had a specialist build me my last set - "A" in the photo. Maybe I need another specialist! As for the bike, yes, I've cut down the factory T7 screen to match the crossbar, and it is better, but standing up eliminates the bike, and the problem still exists. I'm finding my Super T causes me problems now too, which never did before in my previous 35,000kms of riding it. It seems to be largely bike independent. It's mainly my left ear, and I need to figure it out, or quit riding - something I have been doing for 45 years, and don't want to give up.

 

I mean a specialist ear doctor to check there isn't any medical issue that is causing it. sounds to me like you may have an issue inside you ear (more common than you would think)

Edited June 23, 2023 by john_aero

[T7ADV]

I’ve used Etymotic in ear headphones for years and love them.  The ones I have been replaced in their lineup, but they are like these. 

ER2XR Earphones - Etymotic

---

ER2XR (Extended Response) delivers impactful bass while keeping clear and accurate midrange and treble sound, using high performance dynamic drivers.

They work well for music or just blocking wind noise.  I never ride without them.  I can take my helmet on/off without issue. 

Edited June 23, 2023 by T7ADV

[Dougie]

@Canzvt, whichever plugs you end up with, try to stop the wind going up inside the helmet. Mine directs air /wind straight off the left side of the screen etc directly up into the helmet under my left ear. Noisy as f***. I was using a buff/head over but there are “skirts” to fit to the helmet also. That’s with my lower screen too which stops the buffeting but not the wind. Weather is a big one for me. Much noisier and get dragged around a bit at motorway speeds when the sun goes in and air currents vary. 

[Canzvt]

Thanks @Dougie I've run the helmet skirts too. No change. What seemed to make a difference is if I run a neck buff tucked up over my ears. My next plan is to go to the local craft store, and buy some casting compound. I will make a cast of my existing 'best ones' and then play a bit with some geometry around the inner ear. Basically make some small rings around the earpiece so it kind of 'bites into' my inner ear canal, while being careful, and cast a new pair with different durometer medical grade silicone.

 

Might go see a doctor as well...

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

[Interceptor]

Im an ear plug advocate, I ride daily, on and offroad, and sleep with ear plugs

I use Pura-fit 6800, these are moldable foam ear plugs that can be used several times if kept cleaned and takes 33DB of noise down to a healthy range (on highways wind noise inside your helmet is over 100DB which can and will harm your hearing)

Try a pair, if you like them you can get a box of 200 pairs for around 50$ at Amazon

I use them in the last 7 years and they work well

 

Edited June 23, 2023 by Interceptor

[Boondocker]

@canzvt Good on you for trying to protect your hearing! The sad thing about tinnitus is that it's progressive and irreversible. Wind noise does the damage.

I always wear earplugs while riding and have tried a bunch. Settled on Mighy Plugs. 

Blue beeswax. Sounds silly but does a good job reducing sound. I have small ear canals so fixed size foamies and silicone just don't fit me well. These, being pliable, always fit perfectly so they're comfortable and leave no gaps to ruin their performance. I cut one in half, half for each ear. I've taken to storing them in contact lense containers. They can last a long time if you apply them with clean fingers and don't drop them in the dirt. 

 

Good luck with your search for the perfect moto ear protection.

[OK185]

I found my "perfect" ear plugs, which are the Alpine Race (red) version.

Unfortunately somehow the new ones do not work for me anymore.

 

I have a 1 yr old pair and they are perfect. But I rebought them and noise goes through them almost as if I had no earplugs.

Hopefully they did not mess them up or lower the quality. Anyone else noticed this?

 

[electric_monk]

I have religously worn earplugs for the last 25 years and have tried many over that period.

The best that I have come across are Honeywell Laser Lite. Comfortable fit and very effective. Eight hours on the bike and no ringing in the ears or fatigue.  Over the last 6 months I have been listening to a bit of music while wearing them and no issues.

I recently tried the Pinlock ones with the little filter for voice frequencies....absolutely terrible.

Ryan on Fortnine did a video on a load of different ones with his usual scientific slant and they came out top I think

 

Laser Lite® | Honeywell

---

Colorful protection.<br />SNR 35

 

Edited August 17, 2023 by electric_monk

[whisperquiet]

I can’t stand wind noise and wear a different style/brand ear plug in each ear as my ear canals are differently shaped.  I have almost complete silence using these two plugs.

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Honeywell-Visibility-Disposable/dp/B07DKX79T2/ref=asc_df_B07DKX79T2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312026047383&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=205368831098393013&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022415&hvtargid=pla-569580503690&th=1
 

https://www.amazon.com/Macks-AquaBlock-Swimming-Earplugs-Pair/dp/B083QRZGLK

 

 

[sracer]

I’ve been using the Earpeace plugs for a year+. They work well but I still have annoying wind noise at times. Surprised that MC helmets don’t have the problem solved; I road raced open cockpit cars for years and have a Stilo helmet with built in ear muffs that are totally comfortable and quiet. Before I had that helmet I used plugs in the same car.

[Rider 101]

I use industrial class 5 ear plugs. I have a few different brands and they work well if fitted correctly.........but I do have 20% industrial hearing loss. 

[kdeleon]

 

I use the Tozo Earbuds, great sound and noise cancellation works great.  It's got a nice flat profile unlike other earbuds, so it fits nicely in the helmet and don't hurt your ears.  Taking off the helmet is still tricky but i can live with that annoyance.

 

For primarily touring rides, i swap to a Givi Sport Touring windscreen.  This along with the earbuds is the only way I can get thru the day without triggering my migraine.

[jdub53]

I've also had custom-formed reusable earplugs made twice, once by an audiologist and once at a motorcycle show by a guy who makes them for a living. Neither of them worked well, and I got a full refund.

 

After trying many types of earplugs, I finally found 3M's E-A-R brand Classic Plus foam roll-ups to be the best I've ever used. They're a bit longer than the regular Classics, which is what I need as apparently my ear canals are larger than normal. A box of 200 pair lasts me for at least a year, and they're all day comfortable.

 

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v000176418/