Why You Need Motorcycle Ear Plugs: Our Complete Guide
There’s nothing like the thrill of riding a motorbike, but there are plenty of safety precautions to take when riding a motorcycle.
The first ones we usually think of are the most immediate and obvious, like helmets. Some motorcycle users think that a helmet is enough to protect your hearing too, but that’s not that case.
Motorcycles are loud, and engine noise is only part of it. At speed, ‘Wind noise’ is the ‘silent killer’, because turbulence around your helmet adds a lot of noise.
The NIDCD lists motorcycles at 80 to 110 dBA, and long or repeated exposure at or above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss. The good news: noise-induced hearing loss is preventable.
To make it easy to save your ears while on the road, we’ve reviewed and found the best motorcycle earplugs available.
Criteria
The primary function of this product is to protect your hearing.
Since this is a pair of ear plugs you’d wear on the road, it’s important that these ear plugs reduce sound rather than muffle the sounds around you so you’re still aware of your surroundings.
These ear plugs should also be comfortable to wear for a few hours at a time and stay in your ears while you ride, this includes not only not fitting in your ears oddly, but not irritating the skin either.
When it comes to saving money, if a pair of ear plugs can meet these criteria as well as being affordable, then they’re perfect.
If they’re reusable as well then that’s even more money saved for the buyer.
A warranty is another important feature, as it promises security to the buyer and the company’s assurance of an exceptional product.
Product Overview
BestCraft Ear Plugs
The motorcycle ear plugs we found that go above and beyond for these criteria are the BestCraft ear plugs.
They come with two pairs of ear plugs per order with a carrying case and an attachable cord.
Each pair is to protect from different decibel levels.
The seller lists the two pairs at different noise reduction levels (about 28 and 23 decibels). Check the current packaging for the rated NRR, and both pairs are reusable.
They’re made of a soft silicone material that the maker describes as hypoallergenic.
Check the listing for the current return policy.
Pros and Cons
This product does its job exceptionally well. The soft, hypoallergenic ear plugs fit comfortably in your ears and don’t fall out easily.
Since they come in two protection levels, you can pick the one that suits your ride.
They’re designed to lower noise rather than block it completely, so you can still hear traffic around you.
Since these are safely reusable, even someone who rides their motorcycle as daily transportation won’t break the bank buying ear plugs.
For your ease, these also come with a cord to attach the ear plugs and an aluminum case to carry them in so you can easily keep track of these ear plugs when you aren’t using them.
On the downside, silicone plugs don’t suit every ear shape, and a poor fit lowers the protection you get. Try both sizes and reinsert them if they loosen.
Conclusion
You protect yourself from any immediate physical danger when you ride your motorcycle, and your hearing should be no different.
Motorcycles provide several dangers, one of them being to your ears with how loud the motorcycle itself is, not to mention the other vehicles around you.
Wearing well-fitted earplugs on every ride is a simple way to protect your hearing. If you notice ringing or muffled hearing after riding, see an audiologist or doctor.
Sources
- Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, NIDCD (NIH)
- Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss, CDC
