When you think about what safety equipment you need when going for a ride on your Harley-Davidson, earplugs are probably not one of first things to come to mind. But these tiny pieces of rubber can have a big impact on your riding experience. Here is why you should consider wearing earplugs the next time you take your motorcycle out for a ride:

Earplugs Protect Your Hearing

Noises above 85 decibels (dB) can damage your hearing and lead to hearing loss, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The louder the sound, the higher the risks. Once noise reaches 100 decibels, it only takes 15 minutes of exposure to cause damage to your ears.

Depending on what bike you have, it likely idles around 90 to 100 dB and goes even higher when you rev the engine. But while the noise level of the bike is definitely a concern, the bigger problem is the effect of wind noise. When traveling at just 25 mph, wind volume can already surpass the noise levels of your bike – and the faster you go, the louder it will get.

While it may seem as though your motorcycle helmet would offer some protection for your ears, unfortunately the vast majority of them are not designed to do so. Although a helmet may reduce wind noise, it doesn’t make a big enough difference. Even when wearing a full shell helmet, the sound of the wind inside of the helmet can reach decibels equivalent to the sound level of a chainsaw.

Earplugs May Even Help You Hear Better

One of the primary reasons people are hesitant to wear earplugs while riding is that they are afraid it will make them unable to hear important sounds, such as sirens or horns. While earplugs will reduce the volume at which you hear things, no earplug can completely prevent sound from entering your ear. The earplugs simply work to reduce the sound pressure, so you can hear at a safer and more comfortable level. You’ll still be able to hear road noises. In fact, you might be surprised to find you can hear them even better than before.

Temporary threshold shift (TTS) is a condition where the body experiences temporary hearing loss due to continuous overexposure to a sound, such as the constant wind while you’re riding. This then makes it harder for you to hear the sounds you really need to hear. On the other hand, the right earplugs can help eliminate the strain caused by wind noise, allowing you to still hear those important low-frequency sounds while out on the road. When you first start wearing earplugs, you’ll likely notice a significant decrease in ear fatigue, especially after long rides on your Harley.

Get the Accessories You Need at Las Vegas Harley-Davidson

Las Vegas Harley-Davidson carries official Harley-Davidson merchandise, accessories, parts, and more. Come down to our showroom to check them out, as well as view our current bike inventory, with new bikes added regularly. Contact us at 888-218-0744 for more information.