Modern Vespa

I am due to have my ears syringed shortly and as I wear hearing aids part of the time a thought just struck me, should I use ear plugs/buds when riding?
I never have used before but at 68 my hearing is starting to fade and wonder if there is any benefit to ear plugs/buds whatever they called. I never suffer with ear pain or infection when riding just to add.

Many people swear by ear plugs (typically the foam type). Some also love the noise cancellation in Apple's AirPods and similar from other brands.

But also the choice of helmet and windscreen are very important.

I had a pair of molded ones made 20 years ago, and still use the pair (dont lose them lOL). Much easier than the foam ones and they never unseal when riding. There is no motor noise on the Vespa compared to a motorcycle, but there still is wind noise. I only use them when I ride without a full face helmet. Makes the ride less fatiguing and you can actually hear things better including helmet speakers when using the ear plugs.....

Absolutely!

I used to work in the textile industry. Noise levels of 120 dbA were the norm so everyone wore hearing protection. We also had annual hearing tests.

They always advised hearing damage was linear, so at any point in your life if you used protection your hearing loss would be reduced. Even deaf ( not profoundly) folk were advised to use ear plugs as even the remnants of hearing can still be damaged.

So 68 or 28 using hearing protection will reduce hearing loss due to noise induced hearing loss.

I wear earplugs on every ride. The wind noise is what I'm looking to reduce.

I use the 3M Foam plugs rated for 33db (?) reduction and they work really well. I can still hear my GPS/Phone/music and emergency vehicles.

It's not like riding in a vacuum, you can still hear the stuff you need to hear.

Depends on how long you ride for each week. There's safe limits for the duration of each volume. It's not whether a sound is too loud, but rather certain volumes can only be listened to for 2 hours per week. Other higher volumes might only have a safe limit of 1 minute per week.

The main issue on a Vespa is really wind noise, not engine / exhaust.

There's also a slight safety issue in that you're dulling your hearing and some of your awareness, so something to weigh up.

My current routine / method is that if I'm going 30mph or less - no plugs. If I'm going quicker, I wear plugs.

Sure.

Wind noise exceeds easily 85dB inside any helmet. There are various studies measuring this, all agree the dangerous (to your hearing) noise level is exceeded already at surprisingly low speeds.

Ear plugs are nice when inserted properly. If they're just jammed in the ear canal, they can be uncomfortable and actually create other issues along with not addressing the noise problem

I damaged my hearing playing in rock band. I can't afford to lose any more of my hearing. Wind noise can be brutal on your hearing. I have been super happy with Alpine Moto race plugs. Very comfortable, affordable and they still allow you to hear the sounds around you as well as the engine. But they significantly reduce wind noise.

I've decided my threshold (FF helmet, medium windscreen) was around indicated 45 mph, at least for my daily commute. Most of my recreational riding however is above 45 and the wind noise is uncomfortable without plugs, so they are essential for my riding. It's so quiet behind a tall screen I hardly ever wear them.

I'm not going to take a chance at hearing loss.

Interesting aside, my phone offered a hearing test for setting up a Bluetooth device. I was getting alarmed until I realized the volume was set at minimal.

Wouldn't leave the driveway without them. Make sure they're legal in your state. Your ears will thank you as you age.

Bob

Yes, you should wear earplugs when you ride.

Not only are earplugs good for hearing protection, they make the ride much more peaceful and relaxing.

I buy Moldex Rockets by the dozen and wear them all the time. On the scooter, when using power tools, when sleeping in hotels, sitting too close to the band at a mall concert, etc....

I read what the experts have to say about riding and hearing loss.

So, I've lost all the hearing I want to lose...and have been wearing 3M earplugs for a decade. Buy 'em by the carton.
(true story: Sometimes my dog will get near my armored riding jacket or pants...and dig out my used ear plugs. She will go poop out in the snow in the yard. Come spring I find piles of 4 or 6 "recycled" earplugs in the grass! They are clean as a whistle!)
(ah, no. My daughter won't let me re-use them!)

O.S.

even at highway speeds i don't seem to have enough wind noise to justify it. I usually have music playing anyway so it tends to cancel it out.