I've never tried riding with music, because I knew it would be a distraction. I was surprised how much I really could hear with earplugs (traffic wise). I have a non-disposableset that I can't seem to find right now, and they worked great. Only thing is getting used to the change in ear pressure, and making sure that they are in equally, otherwise equilibium may suffer.

 

Exposure to loud noises such as playing MP3s while riding can damage and even destroy your hair cells, called cilia, in the inner ear. Once damaged, these hair cells cannot be renewed or replaced. Coincidentally, the combination of riding and listening to music can lead to tinnitus (a constant ringing in the ears). The ATA estimates that over 50 million Americans experience tinnitus to some degree.

I've got it, you don't want it. Dump your MP3 player for ear plugs!!!

I've been looking into the Schuberth S1 Helmet per Rider magzine for better sound insultaion. I haven't found a wearer to ask questions of yet.

 

Who said is has to be "loud"? Yes sometimes I do have it cranked all the way up (kinda like I was back in high school with 15" woofers in the back seat of my 1978 Buick Century - anyways) but sometimes I like to have it as a little bit of background noise... like elevator music. Just to break it up a bit. To each his own though.

FYI: I did some research on this "tinnitus" that you mentioned.Of those "over 50 million Americans", 49.9 million aremen. They say listening to women for a prolonged period of time also causes "a constant ringing in the ears"