Ear plugs???

[DWRAT]

Anyone use ear plugs on your runs?
Is it a bad idea for safety reasons?
My ears were ringing like crazy when I got home today.

[Dwight]

I use my Bose CD player and acoustic noise cancelling headphones.

I can still hear the cars and truck on my left side when they get close.

Dwight

[w-lewis]

I use ear plugs.

[John-Tucson]

I have used ear plugs in the past and they seem to eliminate most of the road noise. There are a dozen different types and they are available at many local locations, also at small aircraft airports.
Due to the different styles, keep trying them until you find one that is comfortable.
I do not use them in town, only on the road.

[MaSnaka]

Ear plugs, yes good idea!

John

[1795]

What did you say?? Ear plugs are a definite. They save your hearing and allow you to hear other things at the same time. I use the foam ones for any long drive.

[Danr55]

Always. My car is louder than most. Have to have earplugs or.my ears ring for.hours.

[mikiec]

When not using my I pod, I do use ear plugs.

[Young1]

On long trips I have one in left ear she in right. Blocks out wind and pipe and we can yet converse. 37 years with each other and we yet like to talk.

[Maricopa]

Left ear only.

[SunDude]

I wear earplugs all the time. 3M E-A-R Blasts, with little red flames on 'em. They cut down on most of the damaging decibels, but still allow me to hear what's going on around or to talk with my passengers.

[Fitz]

What!? What? Can't hear you.

[bobcowan]

I think you're making a big mistake if you don't use ear plugs. I wear them all the time. I buy the by the hundreds. I use them for lots of stuff - motorcycle, lawnmower, metal work, etc.

Anyway, there's two things to look for. Obviously, you want the one with the highest decible rating. The dB scale is logorithmic. 30 is twice as loud as 29, and 31 is twice as loud as 30.

Second, they have to fit, and fit well. That really is the key. You end up trying a few different ones until you find what works for ya. I'v tried all kinds, even custom molded ones. I like these:

Max Earplugs (10 pairs) - Whitehorse Gear

[DWRAT]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

I think you're making a big mistake if you don't use ear plugs. I wear them all the time. I buy the by the hundreds. I use them for lots of stuff - motorcycle, lawnmower, metal work, etc.

Anyway, there's two things to look for. Obviously, you want the one with the highest decible rating. The dB scale is logorithmic. 30 is twice as loud as 29, and 31 is twice as loud as 30.

Second, they have to fit, and fit well. That really is the key. You end up trying a few different ones until you find what works for ya. I'v tried all kinds, even custom molded ones. I like these:

Max Earplugs (10 pairs) - Whitehorse Gear

Thanks Bob, I just ordered some 33 DB Max.

Howard Leight Max 1 Foam Ear Plugs Uncorded NRR33 50 Pair | eBay

It's 10 hours later and my ears are still ringing, no more after today,

[Dominik]

I once realized a valuable side effect: Ear plugs seem to surpress the lower frequencies more than the higher ones, which means you can hear "pinging" or detonation better while wearing them in a noisy car.

[Buford427]

Ear plugs and Aviation Head Sets.
Ear plugs when I'm by myself or short runs with passengers and the Head Sets for longer trips.
My son and I brought the car home to Idaho from the Bay Area, 850 mile road trip and the Head Sets allowed us to carry on a "normal" conversation as well as pipe in the iPod.
Exhaust noise is not so much the issue as it is the buffering of the wind that kills your hearing. The pressure changes on the ear drum will make you deaf for short periods even on short runs.
Wear the plugs and though spendy the Head Sets are great.
Got mine on Ebay along with the "brain" box. Runs on 12V car source or internal 9V batteries.
Besides, they look cool.

[Scotchman]

I even wear my ear plugs in the house. I've got small ones so the wife can't see them !

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by Dwight

I use my Bose CD player and acoustic noise cancelling headphones ... Dwight

Know your state laws, some allow it, some don't and some allow 1 ear use, some of the laws are vague as hell open to interpretation which will make for an interesting dialogue with the highway patrol - good luck winning the debate once he's pulled you over http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/headsets/
_

[michel schryer]

I use them on long drives, it makes a difference between feeling tired or not after. I found that I enjoy my ride more and I didn't find it a safety issue, not for highway driving, I wouldn't wear them in the city, too much activities going on, you have to be more alert for any noises.QUOTE=DWRAT;1316039]Anyone use ear plugs on your runs?
Is it a bad idea for safety reasons?
My ears were ringing like crazy when I got home today.[/quote]

[michel schryer]

It's so true, when you wear them you can actually hear better.

Originally Posted by Dominik

I once realized a valuable side effect: Ear plugs seem to surpress the lower frequencies more than the higher ones, which means you can hear "pinging" or detonation better while wearing them in a noisy car.