Title: Sound off for hearing protection!
Sourced From: advwisdom.com/a/sound-off-for-hearing-protection-3/
Published Date: Fri, 23 Jul 2021 16:29:56 +0000
When you ride your motorcycle at highway speeds, you are exposing your ears to high levels of noise, even with the windshield and the quietest helmet on. Hearing protection is a must if you value your hearing. Although not marketed for motorcycle use, the Loop Experience Pro earplugs work on two wheels.
After finding earplugs uncomfortable for years, I’ve been impressed with the latest in earplug technology. Though the Loop Experience Pro earbuds don’t mention motorcycle use on the company’s website – they market them to musicians and club audiophiles – their PR team recognizes the value of earbuds for motorcyclists.
loopThe advantage of Experience Pro earbuds is that all frequencies are attenuated evenly – which is essential for listening to music. As a motorcyclist, I prefer an uncolored noise reduction, so a reduction across the entire noise spectrum is desirable.
Although Loop claims “flat attenuation” on its website, the data sheet that comes with the Experience Pro earbuds says otherwise. According to the specification, the earbuds drop by about 15 dB or so in the bassy range of 63-500 Hz. In the mid and high frequency range from 1000-8000 Hz, however, the attenuation increases to up to 30 dB. That’s okay for me; the white noise generated by the wind is precisely in this higher range. The Loop Experience Pro earbuds sound great while riding my motorcycle, so I can hear the traffic and the engine naturally, albeit at a lower volume.
To get the most out of the Loop Experience Pro earbuds, you need to be properly seated and inserted correctly. Loop offers four sizes of silicone tips, from XS to L. If you are allergic to silicone, three sizes of foam tips (SL) are included. However, the EU does not certify foam earplugs for hearing protection and the numbers shown refer to the silicone earplugs. Even so, the foam tips are better than nothing. The earbuds are easy to attach and remove from a post at the base of the earbuds, so finding the right fit is not time consuming.
Once you’ve figured out which size earbuds are right for your ear canal, the choice is yours. Loop contains a loop mute insert that lowers the sound by another 5 dB – not insignificant. If you are driving alone, the loop mute inserts are the right choice. If you’re using an intercom, the noise cancellation may or may not be a bit too strong. It’s easy to experiment to see what works for you. The loop mute insert is mounted on the post of the plug and then the earplug over it – quickly and easily.
Properly inserting the Loop Experience Pro earbuds into my ears is something I didn’t get right the first time. The result is that I immediately lost one the first time I took the helmet off with my ears. They both fell to the ground and I could only find one. Yes, I did Peace of mind Backups as I was still in the loop test phase.
To get it right, the loop that gives the loop earbud its name needs to be placed correctly. The loop was probably designed as a fashion accessory for clubbers, as the loop looks more like jewelry than hearing protection, especially in Glorious Gold.
Here’s the trick: you twist the loop around until it’s fully inserted into the auricles of each ear, behind the tragus. Yes that’s it.
Once you do that, a couple of good things happen. The earplug is fully and safely inserted into your ear canal for maximum sound insulation. The loop prevents you from pushing the earbuds in too far, making it easy for you to insert them all the way in. The loop is stowed in your concha so that there are no conflicts with your helmet when you put it on or take it off. If your helmet gets caught in the loop when you put the helmet on, you have inserted the earbuds incorrectly and can try again.
Eventually, you’ll develop the skills needed to properly use the Loop Experience Pro earbuds and it will become second nature. In this case, form meets function very well.
There is a small plastic case to store the loops when they are not in your ears. To clean them, simply wipe them with a damp cloth. You don’t want to have cleaning chemicals on it because you put it in your ear.
While not a purely motorcycle product, the Loop Experience Pro earplugs absolutely do the job on two wheels. The sound quality is good so you can keep enjoying the music from your engine and exhaust. As a bonus, I’ll be at a next time Cinder cone Gig, I’ll put these babies in there for sure.
Loop Experience Pro Earplugs Quick Facts
Sound attenuation: 18-20 dB (-5 dB additionally with loop mute)
Sizes
- Silicone tips: XS-L
- Foam tips: SL
- Colors: Glorious Gold; Midnight black; Vibrating silver
Loop Experience Pro Earplugs Price: $ 35 / pair
