Hearing Protection And In-helmet Headsets

[Arby60]

I am using the J&M in-helmet headsets for communicating with my passenger and listening to radio/cd/NavIII. I need suggestions for hearing protection which would allow me to still use the bike's audio features. Is there such a thing? Thanks.

Ray

[Agent86]

I am using the J&M in-helmet headsets for communicating with my passenger and listening to radio/cd/NavIII. I need suggestions for hearing protection which would allow me to still use the bike's audio features. Is there such a thing? Thanks.

Ray
I use the disposable foam ear plugs. Just have to turn the volume up a notch. I have the ones that are held together with a plastic cord, which does become a little uncomfortable after several hours.

[luke_connolly]

These block the wind noise and let you hear your electronics with significantly lower volume:

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6i.aspx

[BCVBeck]

My Bride and I ride with J&M headsets. Use use the highest db rated ear plugs I can find and turn up the volume on the front passenger a notch or two above the setting for my Wife. (She doesn't use earplugs) My ears do ache after a couple of hours, so we just take more breaks while riding. Turns out my backside also appreicate the time off the motorcyle! I'd love to try ear plugs I've seen skeet shooters use, the ones that are cast to one's ear canals. (just my perception, may not stand up to reality) Ride Safe.

[kmurphy165]

When I first had the LT I did not have hearing protection and was depending upon in-helmet speakers. The cheapo intercom did amplify the ambient noise and I know I did additional damage to my hearing after extended high speed runs. I replaced the intercom with noise canceling type and I changed in the helmet speakers to molded plugs with speaker elements from Marilyn Navia of Now Hear This. Marilyn has been there for every CCR I've attended and the product works wonderfully and her customer service even long after the sale has been outstanding. The molded plug with the speaker element inside is the ticket as far as I'm concerned. Plus it saves what's let of my hearing. Highly recommended.

BTW, I did try molded ear plugs without the speaker element and found that the in-helmet speakers couldn't handle the high volume needed to get the audio past the ambient noise and ear plug muting. HTH.

Karl

[Route66]

The most comfortable, affordable and effective ear plugs I have ever tried are Macks wax ear plugs. They really block out wind noise, don't stick out and hit the helmet speakers or lining, and don't depend upon putting pressure on the ear to stay in place. To effectively place the gob of wax in your ear, it helps to gently pull up on the top of the ear lobe with the opposite hand. Then flatten it down flat gently and you're good to go. When they lose their stickability, get a fresh gob of wax. IMHO they're better than most out there and are often overlooked in the ear protection articles in the bike mags.
Terry

[deputy5211]

I use custom molded earpieces from Now Hear This. They are made to pit my Shure e4 headphones which plug into the headset cord for my intercom. They block out most of the wind noise (and the exhaust noise from my Harley when I ride it). They provide great sound and allow me to set output at lower volumes because of the noise blocking, which is better for my hearing protection.

They will be at CCR, or you can contact Marilyn online. Great service before the sale, which is easy and fairly common, but she also provides excellent service AFTER the sale, which puts her above many competitors. You can find a link to the site here on the board, or let me know if you can't find it and I will dig it up for you.

HTH

[neodoc]

I actually had mine custom made by Marilyn Navia at CCR last year and they're great. Having something that's the shape of your ear canal, which is different in every person, makes all the difference. I can wear mine comfortably all day, and I can hear my helmet speakers perfectly. She even makes some that have speakers built in. That will be my next purchase. I think her website is www.PlugUp.com. Hope this helps.

[LeRoi]

Here is a second to Mack's "Pillow Soft" ear plugs. My wife & I both use them. We found that 1/2 of one for each ear does the job better than any of the in-the-ear foam plugs. The ears don't ache from the pressure of the foam plugs. Just turn up the volume a little when using them. And remember to turn the volume down when not using them.

[wacolt]

I guess I'm cheap; I wear ear plugs with full-face modular helmet.

GPS/Intercom/Cell phone/helmet speakers/etc are not on my bike; if I want AM/FM/Weather/casette tape/CD, I turn it on/up and listen through the OEM speakers.

Otherwise, I enjoy the sound of the wind and the hummmm of the exhaust . . . .

[CharlieVT]

I actually had mine custom made by Marilyn Navia at CCR last year and they're great. Having something that's the shape of your ear canal, which is different in every person, makes all the difference. I can wear mine comfortably all day, and I can hear my helmet speakers perfectly. She even makes some that have speakers built in. That will be my next purchase. I think her website is www.PlugUp.com. Hope this helps.
I had a set of custom in the ear speakers made at CCR last year (Marylin at Now Hear - This PlugUp.com). I was very happy with them at first but then the right speaker developed an intermittent short, they were comfortable but didn't last past the first riding season. I sent an email to PlugUp inquiring what my options were and got no reply. I decided not to persist and just gave up on them. Many folks have reported satisfaction with her custom ear speakers but my experience would not send me back for more.

I am back to using a set of universal ear buds (Etymotic I think) I got from the AeroStitch catalog. I have had them for several years, they cost half of the custom ones. They came with several different foam adaptors for the ears, after experimenting I found the best fit for me and they are very comfortable.

[rdwalker]

... suggestions for hearing protection which would allow me to still use the bike's audio features...

Soft-foam earplugs work very well with the J&M system. No problem with audio level for radio, intercom, GPS, etc. J&M puts out enough volume to get through the plugs.

Highly recommended. Comfortable and efficient. Note that earplugs, even the 31dB ones, will still let you hear a bit of road noise and even conduct a conversation off bike - straining a bit, but possible. Thus, your orientation and safety will not be impaired. Quite the opposite: because you are not disoriented and dazed, you are much more aware and alert. You should be wearing them.


On the other hand, the Etymotic 6i earsets recommended above work very well if you do not have an intercom system and are just running audio, say, from an MP3 player. They are wonderful in terms of noise isolation and minimum discomfort. I did try out many different brands of expensive in-ear sets before settling on the 6i's. The problem with them is that you must assure that the helmet does not exert pressure onto the earsets - you may have to enlarge side cavities to prevent contact between liner and earsets - otherwise the earsets will be painful after a while and will also transmit wind noise. Speakers installed in a helmet will certainly interfere with the earset due to reduced space.

Also, even if well fitted, the in-ear earsets will be uncomfortable (at least, were for me) after one or two long days of riding.

So, if you already have the J&M, you have the best setup. Just go to local pharmacy and buy the softest foam plugs you can find.

Your riding will never be the same. Enjoy!