Does cycling make you deaf?

[billy1561]

Does anyone else get irritated by the wind noise especially when cycling into a decent breeze? Never have music on while i ride so i can hear any traffic around me but i find the wind noise blocks out loads too.
My hearing is far from brilliant so maybe it is made worse by this.
What do people use to combat it?

 

[Smokin Joe]

Pardon?

Speak up man.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I know what you mean. I just try to stay as alert as possible, looking over my shoulder ever few seconds if on the roads.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Pardon?

Speak up man.

Damn I was going to do that and thought better of it!

 

[numbnuts]

I went for a hearing test late last year as I found my right ear was not good after the test she said that both ears were well down below normal and I needed two hearing aids as I was not hearing high frequency, but I thought my hearing was OK just a bit “Mutton Jeff”, in the end I have settled for one hearing aid to see how I get on, up too now I hate it as everything is so loud and it's on the lowest setting

 

[SquareDaff]

I use the wonderful Aldi cycle hat. Keeps the cold out, keeps the wind and all associated noise out and I can still hear traffic etc.. A bargain at £3!

 

[Gixxerman]

Wind noise certainly can affect hearing.
As a motorcycle rider I used to get ringing in the ears for several hours after a ride. So I took to wearing ear plugs.
I appreciate that the wind noise at typical cycle speeds of 25 mph, is nothing like as bad as motorcycle speeds of 60/70mph, but it must be having some effect. Also bear in maind that motorcycle helmet does have some sound deadening properties, which a cycle helmet does not.
So maybe these balance each other out and both are on a par.

 

[snailracer]

I had a pair of mini pom-poms on the straps of my old helmet, just in front of my ears, very good at blocking wind roar.

 

[the snail]

ditch the helmet!

 

[marzjennings]

I can't hear the wind noise over the music I'm playing.

 

[cyberknight]

Cycle slower , less wind noise
Simples !!

Yes i have always had plenty of wind noise from the helmet as well .

 

[Norm]

I don't think that cycle helmets make enough noise to be considered permanently damaging unless you are doing some seriously impressive speeds.

IIRC, noise induced hearing loss only happens if the noise is over 85db, which is about the same as busy city traffic.

 

[billy1561]

I thought of using ear defenders but that kind of defeats the object of hearing surrounding traffic. Although would certainly quieten the journey.

 

[Russell Allen]

The wind noise achievable on a bicycle is negligable compared to the wind noise on a motorcycle. I dont think it is possible with human legs to achieve sufficient speed for sufficient time for it to be an issue.


Russell

 

[beanzontoast]

I find a running cap worn under the helmet covers the ears and, besides keeping the head and ears warmer in winter, keeps the wind noise down while still allowing you to hear the traffic.