Why Are Motorcyclists at an Increased Risk for Hearing Loss?

woman on motorcycle with helmet on.

Motorcycle enthusiasts frequently mention the thrill of speed and the love for the open road as the driving force behind their passion. But this exhilarating hobby comes at a high risk of permanent hearing damage for individuals who ride a lot.

The effect of motorcycle speed and riding time on hearing health was assessed in a detailed study conducted 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 use hearing protection can suffer irreversible hearing damage.

Why do bikers get hearing loss?

While the idea of hearing loss might not come as a complete surprise, the main culprit could. The biggest threat isn’t the roaring engine, contrary to the common belief, it’s really the wind. The research emphasized that even though helmets provide crucial protection during crashes, they fall short in protecting a biker’s hearing. Improvements to the helmet, like added padding, vents, or weather stripping, do little to decrease the wind noise swirling around the rider.

Bikers are often impacted by a condition known as temporary threshold shift (TTS), which is triggered by frequent exposure to extreme noise levels. TTS is a progressive condition, meaning the more you’re exposed to loud noises, the worse the symptoms can become. People who are dealing with TTS might start to detect that their hearing is less clear or other minor symptoms. But permanent hearing loss can, over time, be the result.

Comparing wind volume with other noise levels

To understand the seriousness of wind noise while riding, the German study’s conclusions are illuminating. The wind noise around a rider’s head can reach 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 traveling at this speed without hearing protection are exposed to noise levels nearly 19% higher than what is regarded as safe in a work environment.

As the speed goes up, so does the volume level. Hearing damage can happen after just 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.

Protecting your ears

The good news is, it’s simple to protect your hearing with earplugs. Most individuals are familiar with the old basic earplugs, but hearing specialists recommend the filtered versions instead. Filtered earplugs are a more advanced model that filters out high frequencies like wind while allowing lower frequencies 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.

Furthermore, these modern earplugs let bikers enjoy the exhilaration of riding without feeling isolated or numb, a common drawback of older protective devices. You can protect your ears from harmful 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 hearing safe from wind noise. Considerable and permanent hearing damage can be caused by the noise of wind at high speeds. However, with the basic addition of quality earplugs, bikers can continue to enjoy their rides while safeguarding their long-term hearing health.

Stay on top of your hearing health by calling us to discuss hearing protection.

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.