Motorcycle Hearing Protection
Each time you ride motorcycles, you could be damaging your health. The noise of motorcycles causes lasting hearing damage that you can't undo. Fortunately, hearing protection is simple and cheap! We discuss everything you need to know about motorcycle hearing protection below.
Why You Need Hearing Protection When Riding Motorcycles
It's easy to underestimate the noise impact of riding motorcycles. It's not like you're at a concert where the noise hits your ears so hard they come close to bleeding. You don't hop off your bike with a ringing in your ears to let you know that the loud noise was too loud.
But just because you don't experience the telling signs of hearing damage doesn't mean you escape unharmed. Any noise above 85 decibels will cause lasting hearing loss. Guess what happens when you ride at 40 miles an hour? You experience 90 decibels of noise. When you increase the speed to 100 miles per hour, you experience 110 decibels of noise. Unless you plan on putt-putting around 35 miles per hour, you'll expose yourself to hearing damage.
The noise is a concoction of your motorcycle engine rumble, the road noise, and the wind. You may think your helmet blocks out the noise but think again. It actually does the opposite - it vibrates at 250 Hz and adds to the noise issue. You need something to combat this issue to ride motorcycles safely.
Hearing Protection Options for Riding Motorcycles
Riding motorcycles requires wearing a helmet, so any hearing protection option needs to accommodate this. Any hearing protection that sticks out your ears will press against the helmet, which can get uncomfortable fast. The following options work well for anyone who rides motorcycles. They each remove at least 30 decibels of noise, which makes your ride safe.
Most people opt for disposable ear plugs. These are cheap, especially when you buy in bulk. Grab a pair at any grocery store or gas station. Toss them after you get home. Since they are built to be cheap, they can be less comfortable.
The next step up is wax or rubber balls. These are reusable (to a point). You will mold them to the shape you want, which makes it easier to get a comfortable fit. One thing to note, though, is they can feel greasy after a long ride or on a hot day.
The most comfortable option is custom-fitted earplugs. These are measured to perfectly fit your ears. This gives you the best possible fit and the best possible protection from noise. Of course, this quality comes at a steeper price. But you can factor in the fact that they last many years, which makes them a more cost-effective option.
The Ideal Choice for You
The right hearing protection depends on how you ride motorcycles. The more often you ride, the more you'll want to invest in comfortable options. Anyone who commutes to work or goes on touring rides should spend the extra for better quality options. If you occasionally ride motorcycles, you can stick with the cheaper option.