Ear and Hearing Protection for Motorcyclist
How Can Motorcycling Affect Your Ears and Hearing
While motorcycling there are bad noises such as wind, exhaust and engine noises and good noises that you need to listen out for such as sirens, GPS and other road users.
When cycling at higher speed, noise exposure can exceed 90dB
Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Constant exposure to the loudness level of motorcycling causes damage to the inner ear hair cells especially those responsible for high frequency hearing. Noise induced hearing loss is permanent and measures should be made to reduce the occurance of it. It is also noted that with noise induced hearing loss can result in tinnitus (seehttp://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr768.htm(link is external)) .
Best Ear Plugs for a Motorcyclist
For a motorcyclist what you wear is important for your safety as you travel. That is why it is no different when it comes to your ears. We have mentioned above about noise induced hearing loss and as well as a well designed helmets are some properly designed ear plugs.
Tips for motorcyclists To Protect Your Hearing and Ears
- Look at getting custom made ear plugs- it is worth mentioning to an audiologist the specific use for motorcycling.
- If using universal fit ear plugs, make sure to correctly insert them, to avoid pain caused with the added use of the helmet over the top
- Look into getting a helmet which specifications applaudes its ability to reduce wind noise
- Have your hearing tested to to keep an eye on your hearing