How Can Motorcyclists Protect Their Hearing?

Posted on by Advantage ENT & Audiology

Being able to weave through traffic and park easily are just two of the perks of driving a motorcycle. If you love to hit the open road on your bike, don’t forget to take a few precautions to ensure your next ride doesn’t end in hearing loss or tinnitus.

Noise Sources on a Motorcycle Ride

A man sits on a parked motorcycle while looking at his smartphone in an parking lot.

There are two sources of noise that can damage your hearing on a motorcycle ride:

  • The motorcycle itself
  • The wind whipping around your helmet

The motorcycle noise varies by make, model and modifications, and the wind noise will vary by speed—the faster you drive, the greater the wind noise, with some studies estimating that the wind noise can reach between 90 and 100 dB.[1] Sound at that volume is well past the 85 dB threshold for hearing loss.

Tips To Protect Your Hearing

There are a few simple ways you can lower your noise exposure on your motorcycle:

  • Wear specialty earplugs. High-quality motorcycle earplugs with filters or Bluetooth® will reduce noise while still keeping you alert to traffic hazards.
  • Find a noise-reducing helmet. Some motorcycle helmets have aerodynamic shapes or extra padding that can reduce wind noise.
  • Slow down. It’s fun to zip around Arvada or drive into the mountains at a high speed occasionally, but keep in mind that the faster you go, the louder your experience will be. Swapping out really fast rides for leisurely ones every once in a while will safeguard your hearing without taking away the fun of riding.
  • Consider quieter bikes. When you’re in the market for a new motorcycle, look for one that boasts a quieter engine to protect your hearing.

If you’re a regular motorcycle rider, you should schedule yearly hearing tests. Yearly testing gives us the opportunity to catch and address damage early. For more information about protecting your hearing or to schedule your comprehensive hearing evaluation with one of our specialists, contact Advantage ENT & Audiology today.

[1] McCombe A. W. (2003). Hearing loss in motorcyclists: occupational and medicolegal aspects. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 96(1), 7–9. https://doi.org/10.1258/jrsm.96.1.7