Motorcycling is freedom, speed, adventure. The wind in your face, the feeling of control over the road, that wonderful hum of the engine…. But did you know that there is secretly an assassin riding along every time you put on your helmet? Not in the form of asphalt or fellow road users, but in the form of sound. Lots of sound.
After all, motorcycling is one of the loudest hobbies you can have. And yes, that is quite a problem for your hearing.
It’s not in the engine
You’d think it’s mostly the engine noise that overloads your ears. And fair is fair: a Harley Davidson in sport mode really does its best, too. But the biggest problem actually comes from somewhere else: wind noise.
As soon as you go faster than 50 km/h, the airflow around your helmet begins to hiss significantly. At 100 km/h that noise can reach more than 94 decibels. If you drive briskly – say, 120 or 130 km/h – you quickly hit 100 decibels. And that’s well above the safe standard.
By comparison:
- 85 dB is the limit at which hearing damage is possible with prolonged exposure
- 100 dB presents a risk of permanent damage within as little as 15 minutes
And let’s face it: who drives only 15 minutes?
Why your hearing can be so bad at that
Your ears are not made for prolonged exposure to loud, constant noise. In your inner ear are tiny hairs that convert the vibrations of sound into signals for your brain. Those hairs can be damaged by overloading – and when that happens, it doesn’t work out. They don’t grow back.
Hearing damage often begins unnoticed: you notice that you hear some tones less well, or you experiencetinnitus. And that can be quite drastic in the long run. Not only for your hearing, but also for your concentration, sleep and social contacts.
“I don’t hear anything crazy” = not safe
Many motorcyclists think it’s not that bad. “I don’t hear anything weird while driving, do I?” But that’s precisely the danger: hearing slowly becomes overloaded, without you noticing it right away. Hearing damage is a stealth process. You don’t feel it, you don’t see it – until it’s too late.
And then you can maintain your bike so well, buy a new helmet or put earplugs next to you on the bedside table…. it’s mustard after the ride.
Solution: earplugs. Really.
Fortunately, the solution is simple, inexpensive and effective: wear earplugs while driving.
These dampen wind noise without missing the engine noise or traffic around you. You can still hear the siren of an ambulance or a honking car, but the damaging spikes in volume are filtered out.
There are different types of earplugs suitable for motorcyclists:
- Universal motorcycle earplugs: ready-made earplugs with a special filter that muffles wind and engine noise, but lets conversations and traffic noise through.
- Tailor-made motorcycle earplugs: perfect comfort, stay put (even on long rides), and fit precisely in your ear as well as under your helmet.
Custom-made earplugs are the most comfortable in practice, especially if you take many or long trips. No pressure marks, no irritation, and you sometimes even forget you have them in.
Why a helmet alone is not enough
You might think, “I wear a good helmet anyway, that insulates some too.” And that is partly true – a full-face helmet does indeed do something against noise. But especially at higher speeds, there is still quite a bit of noise coming in. Even the quietest helmets still maintain a noise level of 95+ decibels at 120 mph. And that is still harmful.
So earplugs are not an unnecessary luxury, but a necessary addition to your helmet. Just as a good motorcycle suit protects you from scrapes, earplugs protect you from something much more elusive: hearing damage.
What if you already have damage?
Do you often experience a squeak in your ear after driving? Or do you find that after long drives you have trouble understanding people? Take that seriously. These are the first signs of overload or incipient damage.
In that case, it is smart to:
- Going to an audiologist for a hearing test
- Immediately start using earplugs while driving
- To look at hearing amplifiers If you already have permanent damage
Above all, don’t wait. Hearing loss cannot be repaired, but further damage can be prevented.
Riding a motorcycle without going deaf: it’s just possible
Fortunately, this is not a blog full of doomsday scenarios. Motorcycling is and always has been a great hobby or way of life. But just as you wear a helmet to protect your skull, you can also protect your hearing. Without sacrificing comfort, without losing driving pleasure.
On the contrary: many motorcyclists report that they ride more relaxed with earplugs in. No overwhelming noise, no headache afterwards, no more squeak in your ear. Just you, the road and the noise that matters.
So next time you put on your gloves, think about those earplugs, too. Your ears will thank you in 10, 20 or 30 years.
In conclusion
Motorcycling is freedom, but hearing damage is a chain you’d rather avoid. Wind noise is a silent wrecker – and you don’t hear what you’re missing until it’s too late.
So invest in good earplugs, preferably custom-made, especially if you ride often. Would you like to know which ear protection best suits your helmet and riding style? We are happy to think along with you, feel free to contact us. Because your ears deserve a safe ride as well.
