Protecting your hearing

[DEN MONKEY]

Taken from a local forum but figured it's worth a post.

Most motorcyclists understand the effects of a "silent killer" which follows them every time they enjoy riding their bikes. Unfortunately, several people still believe the causes of hearing loss are due to how loud the bike sounds, and/or that it affects only the people who do not wear full shell helmets. This is true to a certain degree.

Based on several research studies, the major contributor to hearing loss in the motorcycle industry remains the "silent killer" known as "wind noise." Generically termed as the amount of noise turbulence produced around the head while the rider is in motion. Its inherited consequences result in irreversible hearing loss damage over a period of time when adequate hearing protection is not worn.

Similar to the shooting and aviation industries, if this issue is not addressed correctly from the beginning the amount of exposure to the inner ear is compounded every time the rider ventures out on his/her bike for hours at a time. Constant duration of harmful level noises gradually force the rider into becoming another statistic of the "silent killer."

To put this in perspective, according to OSHA's regulation of industrial noise exposure, an average worker surrounded by levels around 85-90dB for an eight hour day will not exceed the limits of exposure time within a 24 hour period of time.

However, when the sound levels exceed 100dB, your exposure time is reduced to two hours. When sound levels exceed 115dB, your exposure time is drastically reduced to 15 minutes. This puts riding a bike a whole other realm as "wind noise" at highway speeds can measure up to 103dB, or comparable to a running chainsaw. At these levels the rider is not only fatiguing physically from the excess noise exposure, but it also puts him into a position of needing a hearing aid later in life.

Another common ailment of motorcycle riding is a condition known as "Temporary Threshold Shift," commonly referred to as TTS by audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals. TTS is caused by excessive noise exposure for a duration of time, which drops your actual acute hearing pattern to a lower level temporarily. Meaning, your hearing is less than what it was before the initial exposure. Continuous TTS exposure will result in permanent damage.

Everyone has experienced this phenomenon at one time or another, whether it is from going to loud dance halls, or concerts, or even work. Even some of today's movie theatres can cause this to happen, but this is a specific certainty for motorcyclists who disregard adequate hearing protection while riding their bike.

Riding position and style of windshield help in preventing "silent killers" ability to fully be experienced. But even the best helmets on today's marketplace provide little help when considering "wind noise" levels at normal highway speeds. Obviously, this factor is increased in half shell models as well as skullcaps, but the common helmets used in today's marketplace are designed to fit entirely over the head providing a snug fit. These types of helmets have the best attenuation value (reduction in noise) regardless of any airflow modifications done to the outside. But these helmets still produce wind noise readings of 110 to 116dB's, from 35mph to highway speeds. When reflecting back to the comparison chart, 116dB will only be suitable for 15 minutes of riding a day. Not a lot of time to enjoy your hobby.... Is it?

Although there are several versions of hearing protection devices on the market, a custom set of earmolds is still the best answer in suppressing sound. They provide excellent attenuation values and are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. They can even be molded with high-grade transducers, which allow for stereo compatibility or communications. To find out more about these products search under our "Product Links" listed on the navigation bar.

We also suggest checking with your local state officials on the regulations of wearing hearing protection. Several states have motorcycle laws regarding earplug use. For a quick reference, see the AMA web pages on State Motorcycle Laws - https://www.ama-cycle.org/roadride/road.asp.

There is no significant difference in wind noise level as a function of speed, no matter what the helmet brand or model (all being full coverage).
Neither the riding position nor the brand or style of motorcycle make significant difference in noise level.
Padding inside the helmet, open or closed vents, or added weather stripping on the helmet to alter flow patterns, does not significantly alter the noise level in a helmet.
Stopped at a stop light at a busy intersection with your helmet visor closed produces a sound level of 80-90dB SPL. (Lawn mower, loud restaurant levels)
When not wearing a helmet, the wind noise at highway speed is nearly 10 times greater than when wearing a full coverage helmet.
Below 30mph, machine, exhaust and environmental noises are heard. Once speeds exceed approximately 30mph, wind noise dominates completely.
Some helmets resonate at approximately 500Hz, and actually enhance wind noise.
Legal speeds of 65mph can produce wind noise levels at 103dB SPL, (chainsaw, pneumatic drill). This noise is loud enough to cause TTS in your hearing, tinnitus and permanent ear damage.

https://i573.photobucket.com/albums/ss178/Christow1111/motorcycle-graph1.gif

So get some ear plugs NOW
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meh

[The Original Muzza]

PARDON?
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Current Bikes: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (2020)
Former Bikes: Honda MSX125 (2014), BMW Funduro (1996), Honda VT500 (1983), Yamaha FZR250 (1989), Suzuki GZ125 Marauder(2005),:Triumph TT600 (2002) (stolen)
From then on, I and the bicycle feelings deeper.

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[The Tot]

I'VE ALREADY GOT TINNITUS AT 22 SO THIS IS ALL IRRELEVANT!

Seriously, if i were to go back in time and change something, it would be to wear earplugs from day 1; and probably reduce the amount of time i used to spend in the studio with the volume cranked up!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Skudd]

I blame, bikes, walkman, loud music and the clip around the ear my mother always gave me.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[The Artist]

I blame the many years of ear sex I had as a child

[c-m]

That post is a blatant in-house press release.

Of course that doesn't make it any less true.

[Skudd]

[Vincent]

[Kickstart]

Hi

While I agree that helmets create a hell of a lot of noise, these 2 points seem to be contradictory.

[LeeR]

I found the reviews on the Ultimate Ear website quite useful, the last two are the better ones as they go into some detail.

And since having invested in some of their Squidgy UEP87 I have to say that they're not quite as good as I expected.

I must admit my expectations were high, I had been riding with EAR-FX disposable plugs giving a SNR of 39db, but had experienced problems with my ear bleeding due to an allergic reaction to the material used.

Ultimate Ear claim a SNR of 34db for the UEP, which I thought an acceptable reduction.

However, pros and cons - the disposables are a pig to fit but once in offer good protection, the custom plugs fit easily but I think they move around as I put my helmet on and become unseated, basically rendering them useless.

The key to a good and effective fit is to test whether you can hear your fingers being gently rubbed together once the plugs are in.

When I finally get the disposables in I can't hear a thing, with the custom plugs I'd say 50% of the time I have to re-insert them as I can clearly hear my fingers rubbing together.

I've tried several brands of dispoable plugs, but overall I've found Oxford Moldex plugs offer the best compromise and effective all round use.

They fit easily everytime, offer a SNR of 35db, are good for 10 uses approx. are made of a fairly inert material, but cost around £2 for two pairs.
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[Kickstart]

Hi

I have a similar issue, but opposite. I seem to have pretty small inners ears and really struggle to get the foam ones in. Basically they expand too quickly to get them into the smaller part of my ear. If I do get the in place then they work pretty well, better than the moulded ones. However the rarely stay in place for more than half an hour at best.

The custom ones work pretty consistently. They do seal far better if I have just got out of the bath and my ears are soaking wet, which seems strange.

Only foam ones I have that work well are some that were left on the parcel shelf of the car for ages over summer. These ones work very well and having been baked in the sun seem to take far longer to expand and so I can get them in place. Bought a box of these ones new and they expand too quickly.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Skudd]

[SlimRick]

[Kickstart]

[c-m]

I currently use the oxford plugs mentioned in a post above.
Now if they have SNR of 35db what happens to the other 70+db we are exposed to as bikers?

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I use EAR classics. They seem to be doing a good job so far.

Unsure whether to go for some custom moulded ones or not.
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My Flickr

[Skudd]

I have custom moulded plugs with a filter in them so I can listen to radios/mp3/satnav.
____________________
Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[Pete1959]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Clanger]

All I will say on the matter is well done you lot who took the time to read such a dull, long winded post...I think I read the first 3-4 lines and got bored, and then just looked at the answers
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[bazza]

About ten to four. Put the kettle on.
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"That's it. You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college."
'98 Ducati 750SS, '08 Suzuki GSX650F ©2004-2014, Bazza's Harmless Banter

[KevTM]

Meh, never used earplugs, never will. Done mega miles at fast paces with noisy helmets with no effects, not even a hint of ringing in the ears.

I like to what's going on, I dunno, I'd feel a bit vulnerable knowing my hearing is impaired by plugs.

Anyway no ill effects here from ears of riding - Frick, I think the last concert I went to has done more damage alone than all the hours spent on bikes.

[Tonka]

[T0MMY]

I was going to get some Heartech Silentear reusable plugs as I read some good things about them. Anyone happen to have used them?
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ZX6R + CBR600RR