Why You Need Motorcycle Hearing Protection
It’s no secret that motorcycles are loud, and even if it was, they wouldn’t be very good at hiding it. With foreshortened exhausts and exposed engines, they can put off a deafening roar. This roar doesn’t feel quite as strong when you’re riding, but in reality, the potential damage to your ears is much worse for the rider than other motorists or anyone else who might hear them. It’s crucial to always wear at least some form of hearing protection. This short explainer will introduce you to the potential hearing damage caused by motorcycle riding and will give you a few tips about what you can do to protect yourself.
This guide is brought to you Illinois Harley-Davidson®, located in Countryside, Illinois. We proudly serve Chicago with motorcycle sales, rentals, and motorcycle riding school.
The Importance of Hearing Protection
Motorcycles can be very loud and for some bikes, that’s part of their maverick appeal. Anyone can sneak around the neighborhood in an electric car, but a motorcycle gets people’s attention and let’s them know you’re there. It’s easy to imagine that that noise is causing you hearing damage, and with volumes up to 88 decibels (when measured from 50 feet away) this is certainly part of the damage. But what’s even worse for your ears is the pressure caused by the wind as you ride. At highway speeds, this damage is particularly exaggerated. You’ll feel about 90 decibels of noise at only 60 km/h, and if you get up to 160 km/h, you’ll feel 110 decibels of volume. That’s the equivalent of standing directly in front of the speaker at a rock show or putting your ear 1 meter away from a car horn for as long as you maintain that speed. You might be inclined to think your helmet will protect you, but early studies suggest that a helmet does very little to decrease these effects. On top of that, your helmet could actually make the problem because it will tend to vibrate at a high frequency which amplifies the effects to your ears.
Different Types of Hearing Protection
It’s extremely important to use hearing protection when on a motorcycle, and there are several types to choose from. The first consideration to make when deciding which type of hearing protection to use is to think about what type of helmet you have. If your helmet covers your ears, your selection for hearing will be more limited. Since most motorcycle helmets do cover the ears, let’s focus on hearing protection that works with that set up. There are multiple types of in-ear hearing protection available. Twist-in earplugs often feature a flanged design that is quite comfortable, but these ear plugs often have a stem that’s used for insertion that can get caught when you put on your helmet. Wax-style earplugs are often quite comfortable, but with the perspiration caused by riding, they can slip out of the ear quite easily. Perhaps the best choice for motorcycle riding ear protection is good ol’ fashioned disposable foam earplugs. Cheap, comfortable, and effective, this type of ear plug can be purchased just about everywhere and they can reduce up to 30 decibels of road noise.
How to Use Motorcycle Hearing Protection
You might be tempted to simply jam an ear plug in your ear and get riding but this can lead to a poor fit, diminished protection, and in some extreme cases, hearing damage. The correct way to insert foam earplugs is to roll them between your thumb and forefinger once or twice to compress the diameter. Hold the earplug with the hand with the corresponding ear you’re putting the plug in. Then, reach over the top of your head with the opposite hand, pull up and slightly back on your ear to help open your ear canal. Insert the earplug until it fits snugly and then release your ear. The earplug will decompress and should reach full noise protection within a minute or two.
Motorcycle riding is fun, but there’s no reason hearing loss has to be part of the experience. Hopefully you’re now convinced about how important it is to wear hearing protection while riding. If you’re in need of parts or services for your motorcycle, or you’re just getting into riding and start looking for your bike, stop by Illinois Harley-Davidson®. We care about the health and safety of our riders, and we also care about giving them the best riding experience possible. Located in Countryside, Illinois, we proudly serve the Chicago area. Stop by or give us a call today!