Why Are Motorcycle Riders at an Increased Risk for Hearing Loss?

woman on motorcycle with helmet on.

Motorcycle enthusiasts often mention the thrill of speed and the love for the open road as the driving force behind their enthusiasm. However, if you’re a devoted rider, you should know about a substantial risk: research has linked this stimulating hobby to irreversible hearing damage.

The impact of motorcycle speed and riding time on hearing health was examined in a comprehensive study carried out by a hearing protection maker in cooperation with a notable German automobile association. Alarmingly, at speeds of 62 or higher, for just 15 minutes, riders who don’t make use of hearing protection can suffer permanent hearing damage.

What causes hearing loss in motorcyclists?

You may not be surprised that bikers often suffer from loss of hearing, but you may be surprised as to why. The greatest threat isn’t the roaring engine, contrary to the common belief, it’s actually the wind. The research emphasized that even though helmets provide critical protection during accidents, they fall short in protecting a biker’s hearing. Enhancements to the helmet, such as additional padding, vents, or weather stripping, do little to reduce the wind noise whirling around the rider.

Regular exposure to extreme noise levels often leaves bikers with a condition called temporary threshold shift (TTS). TTS is a progressive condition, meaning the more you’re exposed to loud noises, the more intense the symptoms can become. Initially, TTS sufferers might detect minor symptoms like a temporary reduction in hearing clarity. However, over time, this condition can advance to permanent and irreversible hearing loss.

Comparing wind volume with other noise levels

To comprehend the severity of wind noise while riding, the German study’s findings are illuminating. The wind noise around a rider’s head can be as high as 95 (dB) at 62 mph. Workers in Europe, for instance, need to use ear protection by law if the volume exceeds 80 dB. This means that bikers riding at this speed without hearing protection are exposed to volume levels nearly 19% higher than what is considered safe in a work environment.

As the speed increases, so does the volume level. Hearing damage can take place after only 7 minutes of riding at 74 mph which produces wind volumes of 98 dB. Other studies corroborate these findings, indicating that bikers are indeed at a substantial risk of hearing loss.

How to protect your hearing

The good news is, it’s simple to safeguard your hearing with earplugs. Most individuals are familiar with the old basic earplugs, but hearing specialists recommend the filtered versions instead. These sophisticated earplugs are designed to safeguard your eardrums from high-frequency noises like wind while still allowing lower frequency sounds to get in. This means you’re able to hear essential sounds like sirens, horns, and human speech, which are critical for a biker’s safety.

Bikers are also able to get the total experience of riding without feeling isolated or cut off from the external world which can’t be said for the old conventional style. You can protect your ears from damaging wind noise while still enjoying the thrill of the ride by utilizing 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 permanent hearing damage in a very short time period. But bikers can safeguard their long-term hearing while still enjoying the ride by simply utilizing a pair of quality earplugs.

Call today to learn more about hearing protection so you can stay on top of your hearing health.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.