If you ride a motorcycle, you’re right to worry about your hearing; motorcyclists are at an increased risk of hearing loss. You may be surprised, however, to learn that the main culprit for hearing loss isn’t the loud engine of the machine, but the wind noise inside the helmet.
How Loud Is Wind Noise?
Just like distance is measured in miles, sound is measured in decibels. Sustained noise above 85 decibels is considered hazardous to hearing, and the louder the noise, the shorter the time it takes for damage to occur. When hearing loss is the result of exposure to loud noise, it’s 
called noise-induced hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is the second most common form of hearing loss, and it can affect anyone of any age.
When researchers placed a microphone in the helmet of a motorcyclist, they measured that wind noise can reach 100 decibels when the motorcycle was moving 60 mph. At that rate, you run the risk of noise-induced hearing loss after only 15 minutes of riding.
How Can I Avoid Damaging My Hearing While Riding?
Many motorcyclists hesitate to use hearing protection, fearing that they may miss important sounds on the road, such as sirens or cars honking. While this is a valid concern, we counter that a motorcyclist also cannot hear important road sounds if they suffer from hearing loss, or if the sound of wind noise drowns out all other noise. Furthermore, hearing protection gear is very sophisticated and can filter out wind noise while still allowing critical sounds to reach the ear.
Classic earplugs are inexpensive and easy to find. Filtered earplugs are an even better solution that filter out high-frequency noises (like wind noise) while still allowing low-frequency sounds to enter your ears. Pneumatically operated earmuffs are another solution, which can be worn inside the helmet shell to reduce the wind noise that reaches your ear in the first place.
While noise-induced hearing loss is not reversible, it is preventable with the right precautions.
How Can I Tell If I Have Hearing Damage?
If you have noticed that you struggle to hear higher-pitched tones, have muffled or reduced hearing or you’re asking your loved ones to repeat themselves more often, you may have hearing damage. If you’re concerned about that, it’s a good idea to consult an audiologist for a hearing test to discover what the damage is and how extensive it is. From there, your hearing health professional will build a customized hearing loss treatment plan with you. Call Gulf Coast Audiology today to make an appointment.