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To all those on the fence about getting Bluetooth comm unit..

Wow, well I have to say I went to a lot of indoor concerts when I was young and would leave with my ears ringing. I can hear just fine now. I have noticed on longer moto rides I get a little sleepy after a while so maybe that’s the effect of the wind. Well, at least now I have another thing to research and consider. I always like a new project.
 
You risk more then hearing loss. Tinnitus is a also a result of hearing damage. I have it. It's a constant eeeeeee. Wanna live with that? Hearing damage is cumulative. You may think your hearing is OK but the damage has already started.
 
dravnx said:
You risk more then hearing loss. Tinnitus is a also a result of hearing damage. I have it. It's a constant eeeeeee. Wanna live with that? Hearing damage is cumulative. You may think your hearing is OK but the damage has already started.
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My solution, I've had Tinnitus for as long as I can remember as I had a number of nasty ear infections when I was young. I'm certain there were a few concerts that didn't help, nor did my obnoxiously loud car stereo in my 20s - 30s. I wear ear plugs all the time now and just got a pair of SilentEar reusable plugs that claim as 32db NRR. Figured I'd try again as things have changed, but if they don't cut it, I'll just go back to foam.
 
Bluetooth comms units are great when the helmet you own accommodates it. Definitely a second vote for wearing earplugs while using them. My old Shark Speed R allowed me to position my Sena so that speakers lined up with my ear canals.

But when it came time to upgrade, I switched to the Bell Star MIPS and the tight fit of that helmet did not allow my speakers to line up well enough with my ear canals. I find this is definitely an issue with the tighter fit of the sportier helmets and for me, my ears tend to not quite line up with cutouts in most helmets. I don't ride in groups or do much two up riding these days so my main use case is for music and the occasional phone call at low speeds. My solution was to switch to a cheap clip on Bluetooth receiver and earplug headphones. It's not quite as wireless but it's works as a compromise. Plus I don't have to play the music as loud with them. They are bit base heavy but then at 70mph+ nothing is truly audiophile. :teeth

Bluetooth clip-on receiver: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WVGTH2D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Earplug earbuds: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078YFYJFT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

P.S. I wish that custom fit program Bell ran had taken off so we could resolve issues like this with a custom mold.
 
I use the Sena that came with a helmet I bought on Craigslist only for Google Maps to get directions while riding but not for music. I did try listening to music while riding but it’s too distracting and I almost got into an accident.
 
51mmEtKygZL._AC_SL1000_.jpg


I've used these Beatsx headphones with some cheap foam tips from Amazon for years. Play music as lower volumes and allows for directions via voice in Google Maps. Foam tips help block out noise like traditional earplugs.

Did it as a cheap alternative as I looked into Coms units. Ending up sticking with it since I only ride solo and head no real need for most of Sena's capabilities
 
I remember trying to listen to music from a Walkman cassette player.

Turns out that when you have cassettes in a tail bag, the vibration kind of beats the heck out of them to the point you really need to wind them through to use them.
 
duck_rider said:
51mmEtKygZL._AC_SL1000_.jpg


I've used these Beatsx headphones with some cheap foam tips from Amazon for years. Play music as lower volumes and allows for directions via voice in Google Maps. Foam tips help block out noise like traditional earplugs.

Did it as a cheap alternative as I looked into Coms units. Ending up sticking with it since I only ride solo and head no real need for most of Sena's capabilities
Click to expand...

Wow, and for most riders this is enough. Combines ear plugs with headphones. I shoulda thought of this before I bought the Cardo unit last week. And now I’m trying to decide between Nonoise, Alpine, and Earpeace ear plugs.
 
DesiDucati said:
I use the Sena that came with a helmet I bought on Craigslist only for Google Maps to get directions while riding but not for music. I did try listening to music while riding but it’s too distracting and I almost got into an accident.
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Did you forget to log out of your dupe account?
 
dravnx said:
You risk more then hearing loss. Tinnitus is a also a result of hearing damage. I have it. It's a constant eeeeeee. Wanna live with that? Hearing damage is cumulative. You may think your hearing is OK but the damage has already started.
Click to expand...

I realized my hearing was going (along with my eyesight - old age sucks) when I was laying down in bed and asked my wife “What machine is on right now? Is the bed motor going?”

We have a pneumatic bed, and I thought the motor was running.
 
greenmonster said:
Wow, and for most riders this is enough. Combines ear plugs with headphones. I shoulda thought of this before I bought the Cardo unit last week. And now I’m trying to decide between Nonoise, Alpine, and Earpeace ear plugs.
Click to expand...

I used LG HBS-750 or similar for this for years, but got tired of dealing with putting in plugs every time I lidded up. The Sena is much less effort.
 
cheez said:
I used LG HBS-750 or similar for this for years, but got tired of dealing with putting in plugs every time I lidded up. The Sena is much less effort.
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Yeah, like I said in my original post, this is a new world for me. On to ear plugs , I couldn’t decide between Nonoise and Alpine so I ordered both ( they are about $20-25 each) and I’ll see what suits me better. Not sure about getting custom made plugs, I’ll try these first and see.
 
I tried cheap Amazon plugs, but your ears get bumped around when you put a helmet on. That always made me anxious that the plugs weren't sealed correctly.

Custom plugs conform to your anatomy, so you can trust they stay properly inserted even as you wiggle about.
 
Any one else besides me would purchase a helmet quiet enough to not need earplugs? I use Howard Leights, and am happy with them. I have a set of custom made ones that my job provided, but they are hard plastic, and hurt my ears. When I was working, I used the headphone style ear protection, to be able to instantly respond to customers, and to prevent stuffing dirt and grease into my ear.
 
dravnx said:
Enough with the bullying.
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It's not bullying.

He claimed he doesn't have a motorcycle and now he has experience with helmet bluetooth equipment?

Do you ever tell him, "Enough with the bigotry?"
 
bobl said:
Any one else besides me would purchase a helmet quiet enough to not need earplugs?...
Click to expand...

If such sci-fi tech wizardry existed it would sell like hot cakes.
 
mdorkenhoff said:
Maybe they've updated their list - Sena is a "staff pick" now (here).
Click to expand...

Ah, I stand corrected on that. In their 2020 top picks video review Revzilla made a point that Cardo had overtaken Sena. I saw their 2021 review video this weekend and they still maintain that Cardo is the best basic comm unit.
 
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