Why do you need to wear ear plugs when riding? I've been riding bikes for (many years), and with a helmet have never felt my ears were receiving too many decibels. I can understand a regulation against ear plugs (or especially ear buds while listening to music, radio, etc) as that would potentially distract one from being aware of one's surroundings. Just curious
You ask a very good question and seem to hold a view shared by a great many riders .
Please do some reading on the subject in respected motorcycle articles.
Even with a helmet your ears are subjected to more noise than you might suspect - and more over-pressure from the air.
I have worn simple foam ear plugs for decades at work....and if I forget to put them in when mounting my scooter, I don't get far before I wonder what all the distracting racket is?! Then I stop, pull over, remove my helmet and put in the plugs. Ear plugs increase my situational awareness because it is now calmer inside my full face helmet!
I don't think one can convince another whom has set ideas about their drawbacks to try them.
But maybe try this one day at home, or while mowing the yard. Put in the ear plugs and wear them for an hour or two - discover what you can hear, and cannot hear. If you're impressed how much calmer the world is now, try wearing them the next time you ride in an uncongested area.
I am a real nut on riding safety - I've spent $ and hours insuring that I've done all I can do to be safe on the road. Ear plugs keep my hearing as safe as possible, too...while doing little or nothing to reduce my situational awareness - they may even help me focus more on safe riding. Ohio has finally listened to the experts and are about to make earplugs legal.
The evidence is pretty convincing that riding without ear plugs, with or without a helmet, is costing you some hearing loss.
Stig
