Earplugs Illegal??

[Hero Danny]

I got into an argument with my brother and father. They say that it is "dangerous" to wear ear plugs. They told me also that it is illegal. I tried searching online (I live in Massachusetts) but really couldn't find anything.

They said you need to hear things, like horns, cars approaching behind, etc.

I've been wearing ear plugs for a few weeks now and I never thought they hurt against my safety.. I hate losing arguments and really don't know what to say to them in response.

Are they right? And if not, what should I tell them?

[Alex]

Check your state laws. They vary. Here's the thread you need:

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10209

[alex.s]

tell them if you can't ride with earplugs, they can't drive with the windows up.

[Hero Danny]

Ahh I found this post from the other thread and it is spot on perfect! Thanks Alex, I am literally just going to read them word for word what you wrote.

Originally Posted by Alex

Glad you posted the "old fart" message Kelly, because if you hadn't I would have.

The exhaust noise has nothing to do with this. Unless you're riding a big twin with open headers, or perhaps a MotoGP bike, the exhaust noise when you're at highway speed isn't going to be particularly damaging. The wind noise absolutely will. There isn't a helmet out there that is quiet enough to prevent hearing damage after a decent distance on the highway.

I use earplugs on every ride other than a trip down the street to fillup the bike at the gas station. Once you start riding with them, you'll kick yourself for not starting earlier. It makes riding that much calmer; the windnoise causes a bunch of stress that you don't notice until it's gone. It's less tiring. And it's orders of magnitude safer for your long-term hearing. Even for those who listen to music while riding, I've found that the best fidelity is with helmet speakers + earplugs. Blocks out the windnoise. If you just use earbuds, in most cases you have to turn the volume up to max for it to be usable on the highway. So you're blasting wind noise and music noise into your noggin.

http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/foearplinlaq.html

We've always got a box of 200 pairs of E-A-R Classic yellow foamies in the garage, and we order a new one whenever it's looking a little low. $24.

Also @alex.s that's also a really good comparison! I will use that as well!

[Ninjinsky]

Earplugs attenuate, they don't blank the way say stereo earpieces do.
My hearing is damaged (both loss and tinnitus) from guitar amps and I would recommend musicians earplugs which allow all frequencies but lowered rather than the basic foam plug things.
This sort of thing helps me keep what I have left
ps Some makes have a long protrusion, you want the short ones for in a helmet
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PROGUARD-L...item232e043e8f

[antiant]

Deaf people drive. Another argument. There's a difference between the "earplugs" of the music variety and the "earplugs" that protect your hearing.

[cbinker]

so with that logic, deaf people should not be able to ride either.

[alex.s]

of course, the other argument is that you can push a button and roll down a window or turn off a stereo. its a lot harder to get ear plugs out. being deaf is a bit harder to turn off.

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by alex.s

of course, the other argument is that you can push a button and roll down a window or turn off a stereo. its a lot harder to get ear plugs out. being deaf is a bit harder to turn off.

I cannot think of a single time where I needed to turn down my radio or roll down a window because of a safety hazard.

So if they use that arguments i'll just respond with that.

[Ninjinsky]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

I cannot think of a single time where I needed to turn down my radio or roll down a window because of a safety hazard.

So if they use that arguments i'll just respond with that.

You should turn down the radio if your wife is speaking, and open the window if she complains it's hot.
To not do so creates a safety hazard within the vehicle.

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by Ninjinsky

You should turn down the radio if your wife is speaking, and open the window if she complains it's hot.
To not do so creates a safety hazard within the vehicle.

hahahahaha! True!

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

..........Are they right? And if not, what should I tell them?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise-induced_hearing_loss

[thisisbenji]

I drive a brand new car, the sound deadening is so good that I can actually hear less from inside my car (with the stereo off) than I can when I'm on my bike with earplugs. The manufacture even what so far as to put a hole in the firewall so that you could still hear the motor.

[Kscreations08]

^^^ this scares me. That means you won't hear my horn if you cut me off. How is that safe?

[corksil]

It's safe because 'murica. Laws of murica dictate that if you can afford to drive a tank, you can operate that tank on public roads.

With that said, it's the wild west out there.

I was coming home this evening and was cut off by some tiny housewife in a titan of a vehicle. I came up on her left side in the median and she must have pretended not to notice me, so I pulled out my EMP gun and disabled her vehicle which coasted to a stop in the middle of traffic. Then I pulled out my flamethrower and roasted her entire vehicle. She was apparently unscathed, as she was seen escaping the vehicle -- so I dug out my shoulder-mounted rocket launcher and destroyed what was left of the vehicle. She tried calling her husband for help but the EMP cannon had also disabled her phone so as she frantically attempted to hail another driver for help, none of them stopped until a police cruiser pulled over and assessed the situation. I politely explained that she was a poor driver and he agreed, being an off duty cyclist like myself.

Long story short, he arrested her and wished me a safe ride home. I love hawaii.

(This may or may not have actually happened as I described it. But the moral of the story is simple. Ride defensively. Better yet, ride aggressively. Actually -- scratch that -- ride passive aggressively. Whoever said "speak softly but carry a large stick" -- was apparently wrong. He should've said "Yell obscenities at the top of your lungs, and carry enough muscle to back up your claims.")

[corksil]

EDIT -- okay that may or may not have happened.

[DaBlue1]

You lost an argument about motorcycle safety to two people who've crashed and don't ride very well.... if at all.

Oh the shame!!......

Arm yourself properly the next time you enter into battle of wits with two unarmed assailants.
http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_m...clefacts.shtml

[Ytse Frobozz]

This thing doesn't say anything about earplugs in MA, but for other states it does mention them, so I think earplugs are okay.

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/...spx?stateid=21

I'm not one to flout the law, but in this case I say it doesn't matter what the law is. If I plan on going on the highway, I wear earplugs. If I'm not, I don't. As stated above, it's the wind noise that hurts you. There's no point in going plugless if you end up with hearing even worse than if you had earplugs all along. Protect your hearing!

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

You lost an argument about motorcycle safety to two people who've crashed and don't ride very well.... if at all.

Oh the shame!!......

Arm yourself properly the next time you enter into battle of wits with two unarmed assailants.
http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_m...clefacts.shtml

I didn't lose. But I didn't win either. It's like debating politics with them sometimes because we are all stubborn and won't change our way of thinking easily (except me, because I am pretty open minded and realize I can be wrong).

Problem is I had nothing really to say other than "listen, I've rode my motorcycle with and without ear plugs and I can say from EXPERIENCE that it does NOT hinder my safety. You have NEVER worn ear plugs... so how can you make an assumption?? Also, go on google and just google "should you wear ear plugs" you will notice that a high number of people will say YES".

Their response is "I've never even heard anything like that before! It is probably dangerous to wear plugs you need to hear cars and horns and stuff. Your helmet should cancel out all the wind noise"

Which I know is a lie because helmets practically do nothing for wind noise... even full faced ones.

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by Ytse Frobozz

This thing doesn't say anything about earplugs in MA, but for other states it does mention them, so I think earplugs are okay.

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/...spx?stateid=21

I'm not one to flout the law, but in this case I say it doesn't matter what the law is. If I plan on going on the highway, I wear earplugs. If I'm not, I don't. As stated above, it's the wind noise that hurts you. There's no point in going plugless if you end up with hearing even worse than if you had earplugs all along. Protect your hearing!

I couldn't find anything on it being illegal either. I think ear buds are illegal, (music going into your ears). He must have gotten that bull **** from some random blog or forum that was like 3 pages in that had 34 views and he just took it as fact.

[dfox]

Always wear plugs.

you can still hear everything, it's just at a reasonable volume that doesn't damage.

headphones/earbuds are illegal in MA, so please don't wear those.

[nickjpass]

This may help - select your state.

[DaBlue1]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

I couldn't find anything on it being illegal either. I think ear buds are illegal, (music going into your ears). He must have gotten that bull **** from some random blog or forum that was like 3 pages in that had 34 views and he just took it as fact.

Originally Posted by dfox

Always wear plugs.

you can still hear everything, it's just at a reasonable volume that doesn't damage.

headphones/earbuds are illegal in MA, so please don't wear those.

https://malegislature.gov/Laws/Gener...er90/Section13
"No person shall operate a motor vehicle while wearing headphones, unless said headphones are used for communication in connection with controlling the course or movement of said vehicle."

[thisisbenji]

Originally Posted by Kscreations08

^^^ this scares me. That means you won't hear my horn if you cut me off. How is that safe?

If I cut you off, it's too late for your horn. You better get on the brakes and out of my way.