Wind Noise, Hearing Loss and Noise Fatigue

[BikePlugs]

Thought I'd put up some information here I wrote for my company's website (Minerva Hearing Protection) on Wind Noise, Hearing Loss and Noise Fatigue, with some links to other sources of information

Motorcyclists and Wind Noise

At motorway speeds (70mph) the average noise level inside a helmet is 97dB, roughly the same volume as a pneumatic drill, causing hearing damage and rapidly fatiguing the rider. Noise is the invisible menace as these effects generally go unnoticed until it is to late.

Modern helmet design is the cause of high volume motorcyclists are exposed to. Helmets are designed for impact resistance and comfort but the way the air flows around your helmet and through air vents creates the high volume wind-noise, which leads to hearing damage.

Motorcyclists are especially at risk of hearing damage due to their high volume exposure and the frequencies they are exposed to. The volume under helmets alone is enough to cause hearing damage motorcyclists but wind noise is a high-frequency sound. It is the tiny hair cells in the ear that pick these up high frequencies that are most at risk to damage and the ability to hear these sounds is the first to go.

Hearing damage is a result of Noise Exposure over time, if motorcyclists were covered by the same laws as industrial employees they would have to wear Hearing Protection once their noise exposure was above 85dB for 8 hours. At 35mph the average noise level is 85dB, but every 10mph increase doubles the volume, so the safe exposure time is halved.

At motorway speeds hearing damage starts after a 30 minute ride.

Motorcyclists' Noise Fatigue

Being exposed to the open road is all part of the joy of motorcycling, but it also leaves motorcyclists exposed to the wind, rain and cold. These assaults on the sense tire a rider, even without their realising.

Wind noise contributes massively to the fatiguing effects of riding a motorcycle, which is understandable as at motorway speeds the volume inside a helmet is equivalent to having a pneumatic drill pounding away at your lid.

A good pair of ear plugs will keep out noise and motorcyclists wearing hearing protection will feel more alert.

Motorcycle Helmet Noise - webBikeWorld
Ear Plug - Earplugs - Hearing Protection - webBikeWorld
Freehearingtest.com Motorcycle facts

Hope you found this interesting. Does anyone wear hearing protection at the minute?
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Wind noise is almost 100dB at motorway speeds wear motorcycle ear plugs
Wear Minerva BikePlugs to avoid Hearing Damage and reduce noise fatigue
Follow me on twitter @BikePlugs

[dodger]

Whilst I'm all for wearing earplugs, I even have custom made ones from Ultimate Ears. I don't think blatant spam is the way to do it...
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My Bikes: Piaggio NRG| Aprilia RS 125| Suzuki GSX-R 600|Yamaha Fazer Ducati 848
Europe 2008

[bazza]

Spam, eh?

https://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/funny-pictures-beaver-cant-hear-you.jpg
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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

[JP7]

It may be cheap sales patter, but it's reasonably important information nonetheless. I've recently bought some ear plugs (not from these guys of course!) and couldn't believe the difference.

[lllN30lll]

Just to add, if anybody see's me at any local bike meets feel free to ask me for earplugs, I get them free from work and keep a huge bag of disposable earplugs under my pillion seat.
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Turbo R1
CRF450R

[Finglonga]

[Paulington]

[Timmeh]

cheers, etc/
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GSXR400 x2 | '94 RVF400 | '93 TZR125 4DL (again)
20:22:30 BLUEX5: i would love to be forced to undergo a**l plugging with different sizes
20:48:18 Temeluchus: comp you hunk of smouldering homos3x you

[AngelGrinder]

Ignoring the blatant spam, as said, it is good advice.

It's so much better, find some the fit nicely (I like the 3M orange ones as they are soft) and you will be set.

Also, I think it makes you faster as everything doesn't seem so loud, good for trackdays.

Seriously, if you havn't tried them, try them next time you find some, you'll see how good it is
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Currently Riding - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000 Mille

[Clanger]

Ha ha...not even an introductory post first, you will get SPAMMED right off the forum.

Yes 'most' bikers know about noise, that's why we wear earplugs...and 'most' will be clever and find a mate who works in a factory/airport and can get us handfuls of them for FREE!!!!!
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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

[T0MMY]

Minerva Hearing Protection....that sounds familiar, now where have I heard that before?

Oh yes, I remember, I think that was the company that my mate bought some earplugs from a while back. Turned out they were contaminated with Clostridium perfringens and he ended up with necrotising fasciitis inside his head. Ate away the inside of his cranium causing all manner of symptoms over a few weeks like memory loss, behavioural changes and uncontrollable incontinence until his brain was completely gone and he just collapsed like a rag doll one day, dead. Good advice on the earplugs though and I hope I don't put anyone off using your company, I'm sure you've mostly cleared up the hygiene problems now, thanks!
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[Kickstart]

[Mystery]

i dont wear them because i dont ride very long but i am considering going to london which i will wear them when going such a long distances
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Carbon knuckles assure you maximum protect against debris and unfortunate accidents or if someone cuts you off, their side mirror.Mopeds are like chubby chicks.. they are really fun to ride until you're friends catch you on one

[chris-red]

Pardon?
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[T0MMY]

[Finglonga]

[T0MMY]

I believe the duration is important actually

The problem with wearing earplugs is that you ride faster generally as your perception of speed is different!
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[Walloper]

It is a combination of duration and noise level.
But 90db is considered damaging.
Duration of noise above 85db has different effects dependant on noise level.
Google it.

Most sound is generated at or near the base of the helmet.
Skirts work but look so naff.
Earplugs are a solution.
The main thing is for us bikers to demand protection from noise from the manufacturers. Some helmets perform better than others. But they only have to comply with the futile impact tests.
More damage is done to hearing by just wearing helmets but no-one has really challenged this.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[MinhDinh]

Your ear plugs are for pussies
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Hit the G spot.

[supZ]

[metalangel]

https://www.manekineko.us/catalog/images/product/tampax_superplus40_enlarge.jpg

The blue tailed mouse grows fat in its cave.
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[Finglonga]

[That_Hornet]

I was at my dad and he came home with a few boxes for him and me. When i say a few i mean 10 boxes of 500.

I use them everytime im on the bike. And soon relise when i forget to put thim in. Then only is you can't hear what the engine is doing.


I have the blue plastic ones. Fit nice. But currently using the free ones from my Bike shop. They were free and i took 10.

[Walloper]

Custom Injection moulded work very well as they can be fitted or removed easily.
Try rolling a joint/fag/foam earplug with cold/wet fingers.

They cost a packet but the trade off is sure protection from certain hearing damage.

Only problem I have with them is I keep losing the £60 fcukers....
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[Dalemac]

what about riding with earphones? i tend to ride while listening to music if travelling anymore than 30 miles.
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YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000