Motorcycle enthusiasts often mention the thrill of speed and the love for the open road as the driving force behind their enthusiasm. But this exhilarating hobby comes at a high risk of irreversible hearing damage for individuals who ride a lot.
A comprehensive study carried out by a notable German automobile association in partnership with a maker of hearing protection solutions evaluated the impact of riding duration and motorcycle speed on hearing health. Alarmingly, at speeds of 62 or higher, for only 15 minutes, riders who don’t use hearing protection can suffer irreversible hearing damage.
Why do bikers get hearing loss?
You may not be surprised that bikers frequently suffer from hearing loss, but you may be surprised as to why. The biggest threat isn’t the roaring engine, contrary to the common belief, it’s really the wind. The research emphasized that although helmets provide critical protection during accidents, they fall short in safeguarding a biker’s hearing. Improvements to the helmet, like added padding, vents, or weather stripping, do little to decrease the wind noise whirling around the rider.
Frequent exposure to excessive noise levels often leaves bikers with a condition known as temporary threshold shift (TTS). TTS is a progressive condition, which means the more you are exposed to loud noises, the worse the symptoms can become. At first, TTS sufferers might notice minor symptoms like a temporary reduction in hearing clarity. However, over time, this condition can progress to permanent and irreversible hearing loss.
Comparing wind noise with other noise levels
To comprehend the severity of wind noise while riding, the German study’s results are illuminating. The wind noise around a rider’s head can be as high as 95 (dB) at 62 mph. To put into context, European Union (EU) law mandates that workers must safeguard their ears if exposed to noise levels higher than 80 dB. This means that bikers riding at this speed without ear protection are exposed to volume levels nearly 19% higher than what is deemed safe in a work environment.
As the speed increases, so does the noise level. Hearing damage can occur after only 7 minutes of riding at 74 mph which produces wind volumes of 98 dB. Many studies confirm that bikers are indeed at significant risk of irreversible hearing loss.
Safeguarding your ears
Fortunately, safeguarding your hearing while riding is both simple and effective: use earplugs. Most people are familiar with the old basic earplugs, but hearing specialists recommend the filtered versions instead. Filtered earplugs are a more sophisticated model that filters out high frequencies like wind while allowing lower frequencies to get in. It’s crucial for bikers to still be able to hear vital sounds like human voices, sirens, and car horns.
Moreover, these modern earplugs let bikers enjoy the exhilaration of riding without feeling cut off or numb, a common disadvantage of older protective devices. You can safeguard your ears from damaging wind noise while still enjoying the thrill of the ride by making use of filtered earplugs.
It is possible to enjoy the excitement of speed and the freedom of the open road while still keeping your ears safe from wind noise. The wind noise produced at high speeds can cause considerable and irreversible hearing damage in a very short time. However, with the simple addition of quality earplugs, bikers can continue to enjoy their rides while protecting their long-term hearing health.
Call today to learn more about hearing protection so you can stay on top of your hearing health.