University study suggests vibrations through helmets may affect hearing

**Bob** · 30th January 2010, 01:55

Academics at two universities in Bath are studying whether wearing motorcycle helmets can cause hearing damage. Dr Michael Carey and Dr Nigel Holt are studying how much noise is transmitted through the helmet.

Dr Carley said "The noise inside the helmet at the legal speed of 70 mph is higher than the legal limit for noise at work – more than enough to cause serious hearing damage. The issue isn't noisy engines or loud exhausts as you may think. The noise is simply from the airflow over the helmet,” adding that earplugs will not help much with this kind of noise, as it is transferred to the inner ear from the rider’s bones.

Dr Holt added "This isn't about putting people off riding or wearing helmets; it's about finding ways to reduce this damage so that riders can have a better riding experience.
"We hope the research will provide information which can be used in setting standards for helmets and to help improve helmet and motorcycle design."

The study will commence shortly and is expected to run to the end of the year.

**Mikkel** · 30th January 2010, 10:08

Yep, no doubt about that. Earplugs help, but they do not work well against low frequency noise...

If you get tinnitus or other hearing damage in the very low registers there's not a lot that can be done to prevent further damage.

**steve_t** · 30th January 2010, 10:18

Doh. Not good news. Any one on here that have been riding for years and years have tinnitus in spite of earplugs?

**Usarka** · 30th January 2010, 10:25

You will have to speak up.

**slofox** · 30th January 2010, 10:25

I'd have to agree with those dudes. Even using plugz4lugz custom made earplugs, wind noise is still obvious...and loud.

I don't think Arai's side pods on their helmets help either...if I mount my vid cam on the helmet, the sound track is wind noise and wind noise alone...can't even hear the Two Bros can...

**Mikkel** · 30th January 2010, 15:50

Originally Posted by slofox

I'd have to agree with those dudes. Even using plugz4lugz custom made earplugs, wind noise is still obvious...and loud.

One thing that should be held in mind is that when you are wearing earplugs, which efficiently dampen medium-to-high frequency noise, the low frequency wind noise will sound louder.

Just like sitting in a completely quiet environment wearing earplugs and then just humming softly to yourself - it'll sound louder than it is in the absence of other noise.

**CookMySock** · 30th January 2010, 16:00

I have to be very careful with my hearing, as I mistreated it for some years with loud music - particularly very loud sub-bass. If I ride more than 20 minutes without hearing protection the tinitus returns with a vengence and I hear distant sub-bass all night.

I use in-ear roll-up plugs and I have no problems when used correctly. No tinitus! In fact I have not had a tinitus episode for some months. That puts them in the "good enough for me" category.

Roll up earplugs have to be rolled very tightly, lubricated, and then inserted quite deeply and then held there, or else they just don't work. Sometimes they can be quite tricky to fish them out.

Tinitus is like an unwanted cigarette smoking addiction - once you have it you will wish you didn't, and before long you will wish you didn't A LOT. Don't be an arse with your hearing.

Steve

**p.dath** · 30th January 2010, 16:00

Studies like this have been done before. Check out:
http://www.seabrookaudiology.co.uk/plugs.htm

**Bob** · 31st January 2010, 02:55

Originally Posted by p.dath

Studies like this have been done before. Check out:
http://www.seabrookaudiology.co.uk/plugs.htm

Oddly enough, the same research material I referenced when I tested the Howard Leight Laser Lite earplugs

I've been a convert ever since - I will admit if I'm not expecting to be able to up the pace for more than a few minutes, I don't always put them in, but I'm thinking of making them a necessity on every ride. I've got friends who have problems with certain frequencies... and I don't want to add to their ranks.

**CookMySock** · 31st January 2010, 06:11

Originally Posted by Bob

I've got friends who have problems with certain frequencies... and I don't want to add to their ranks.

I can tell you, that its very frustrating not being able to understand your daughter. Dunno if thats an ear thing or a girl thing though.. I thought it was me..

Steve

**slofox** · 31st January 2010, 06:50

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

I can tell you, that its very frustrating not being able to understand your daughter. Dunno if thats an ear thing or a girl thing though.. I thought it was me..

Steve

Nobody I knew has ever understood their daughter DB...

**Motu** · 31st January 2010, 08:58

Originally Posted by steve_t

Any one on here that have been riding for years and years have tinnitus in spite of earplugs?

Yes,and now I have two hearing aids.But it's my high frequency hearing that is damaged.Tinnitus,wind noise....it's all the same to me.

**p.dath** · 31st January 2010, 09:48

Originally Posted by Bob

Oddly enough, the same research material I referenced when I tested the Howard Leight Laser Lite earplugs

I've been a convert ever since - I will admit if I'm not expecting to be able to up the pace for more than a few minutes, I don't always put them in, but I'm thinking of making them a necessity on every ride. I've got friends who have problems with certain frequencies... and I don't want to add to their ranks.

After reading that research I now wear ear plugs 90% of the time when riding. Only takes 30s to 60s to put in.

**fliplid** · 1st February 2010, 15:05

Always bung in the ear plugs. Makes a hell of a difference and allows you to concentrate more on what you need to whilst reducing the apparent fatigue.