Tinnitus / hearing loss

[Moodyman]

I read that motorcyclists can often suffer from Tinnitus and gradual hearing loss due to the wind noise. Granted, they travel a lot faster than us, but I was wondering if any lifetime cyclists ( particularly of the racing breed who cycle faster) have suffered any hearing damage / loss which is attributable to cycling.

 

[Levo-Lon]

It tends to be the air noise on a full face helmet with bikes..
i used to wear the light sqidgy ear plugs..
tho i use ear protection for all noisy jobs etc..i dont like loud noise..

Be intrested to know if cyclist get this..

 

[Oldfentiger]

I would think it unlikely.
I read about some tests which were carried out in the 90's - noise up to 110db being experienced in motorcycle helmets. This in the days before earplugs being recommended.
I don't think we can approach those levels while cycling.
Being an ex-motorcyclist, yes I do now have tinnitus. My world is never quiet.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I've had tinnitus since I was a kid though wasn't born with it. Maybe it was singing in choirs or something. I don't really notice it much now.

 

[The Jogger]

I've had it for a while now, been to the quack but just really notice last thing at night and in the morning.

 

[fossyant]

I've had it since being a child but it's been much worse since I took some pain meds in the summer. I'm off them now but the noise hasn't changed

 

[Mark Grant]

I've had tinnitus for a couple of years. At the hospital I had a hearing test, apparently I have above average hearing except for the range where I have tinnitus.
The doctor said it was typical of noise damage.

 

[mjr]

I was impressed by how much quieter it is when I went back to wearing soft hats. I wouldn't be surprised if that incessant noise of wind rushing over a flat strap in front of your ears isn't healthy and not just because it limits hearing traffic around you.

 

[ColinJ]

I was impressed by how much quieter it is when I went back to wearing soft hats. I wouldn't be surprised if that incessant noise of wind rushing over a flat strap in front of your ears isn't healthy and not just because it limits hearing traffic around you.

I was getting earache last winter from cold, turbulent air deafening me on the long, fast descents we have round here. Someone suggested that loose helmet straps make the problem much worse. I was doubtful about that but took one hand off the bars on such a descent and pulled the straps flat against my cheeks. Sure enough, the wind noise dropped by about 2/3! It is too uncomfortable to ride with the straps that tight but I tightened them as much as I could stand and it significantly reduced the scale of the problem.

I already have some hearing loss and tinnitus after blasting myself with loud music when I was young and I don't want to do anything to make the problem worse now.

 

[roadrash]

how about these for reducing noise caused by helmet straps,

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/cat-ears-wind-noise-reduction-first-look-35984/


they also give you the instant wiggo sideburns look

 

[Globalti]

I didn't have tinnitus until about five years ago when I attacked some logs with a hand-axe and lump hammer, beating the axe, which made a painfully loud ringing noise. Shortly afterwards I realised that my ears were ringing permanently at the same pitch.

As a motorcyclist I used to get off after long trips (five hours typically) feeling dazed and deaf. Wearing foam earplugs didn't help though it made wind noise more bearable.

 

[contadino]

Tinnitus is a term used for multiple issues. Problems with blood vessels around an ear, an infection, depression, or too rock'n'roll a life can all cause it.

So a cold wind down the lug hole could well induce tinnitus, but it'll likely just be temporary.