Helmet Wind Noise, Help!

[Itzamna]

I've never had the problem personally, but I am totally deaf in one ear, and not the best in the other. I've found the earplugs that I like most are the kind you squish up then stick in your ear. These are the disposable kind. Once they go in, they start expanding, forming a solid seal in your ear, while staying comofortable since they form to your ear. They also don't stick out past the ear, so they won't mess with the helmet at all.

I work in a factory, and we have several different types to use. The reusable ones are just too solid and painful to the ear. They don't seam to seal as well either. Try out the disposables. You might like them better.

[sv-wolf]

I don't like the disposable ones, myself.

The diameter of the auditory canal varies considerably from person to person, and the squishy, disposable plugs have to expand to fill even the largest lug hole.

As I have quite a narrow canal, the disposable plugs put a lot of pressure on it once they have expanded. This, in itself, can be the cause of inflammation.

I've got a pair of custom made plugs moulded to the shape of my ear. They fit very neatly into my ears without sticking out and do the job well. Trouble is, when I've got them in, I can't hear my engine running. That for me is like listening to my favourite CDs with ear muffs on.

Still, my hearing isn't as good as it used to be and I don't want it to get any worse. The most reliable-sounding piece of research I've come across to date concludes that if you ride above 40mph you have fifteen minutes of riding time without plugs before you start doing damage to your hearing. The damage takes place very slowly for most people, but it's there nonetheless.

Just another hazard of enjoying life on two wheels.

[Ladymx]

Well with my small head I dont seem to have as much of a problem with noise as most as there is so much padding in the helmet to make it fit. So you could try adding padding if there is room for it. Even just by where your ears go.

[totalmotorcycle]

Great advice has been suggested so far.

I'll just add that I find in my helmet that as speed increases so does wind noise. So I try to always wear ear plugs when taking the highway for any lenght of time and a "neck tube scarf" works great as well cutting down the noise.



Mike.

[Armadillo]

I can't say enough about earplugs. anyone that does any apreciable saddle time should wear them. took me a few rides to get used to them, but it was worth it. i wear the Max-lites nrr30. they attenuate all road and wind noise,usually in the higher frequency range, and still allow voice and some traffic sounds to get through. the max lites are special for narrow ear cannals and fit me perfectly. i buy them by the case. if anyone wants to try a pair for free just send me a self addressed envelope and they're yours.

[Keyoke]

Got to get around to trying earplugs - have some now, but I keep forgetting to put them in!

Other than that, i've noticed the the new faceshield i have (neoprene mask, with material lower) seems to cut down on noise a lot. (seals bottom of helmet more.

Only other thing is to keep trying different helmets. Although expensive, i believe simpson helmets are supposed to be a lot quieter, Try here

[oldnslo]

It is not possible to eliminate wind noise completely. Ear plugs are about as good a fix as is available, which is fine if you want to put up with the drill of installing, having them fall out, re-installing.
Richard, you probably won't go deaf, particularly at your age, if you use one of the quietest helmets available. My Arai RX7RR3 is very quiet, and I don't hear much windnoise. However, my hearing was compromised years ago on military firing ranges in the fifties and sixties, when earplugs were unheard of.

[sv-wolf]

It is not possible to eliminate wind noise completely. Ear plugs are about as good a fix as is available, which is fine if you want to put up with the drill of installing, having them fall out, re-installing.
Richard, you probably won't go deaf, particularly at your age, if you use one of the quietest helmets available. My Arai RX7RR3 is very quiet, and I don't hear much windnoise. However, my hearing was compromised years ago on military firing ranges in the fifties and sixties, when earplugs were unheard of.

Hi John

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out when I'm next due to change my lid. I've not heard of that model. I like Arais. They seem to fit me well. I have an Arai Astro J at the moment. It's dead comfortable, but noisy as hell. The four ajustable vents on the top probably have a lot to do with that.

I have tinnitus in both ears and it means that half the time I can't hear what people are saying if there is any background noise. I just have to smile and pretend Fortunately, most of us are fairly predictable and that helps. This is fairly new to me. Sounds like you have had hearing problems for a fair while. Any tips for coping with it gratefully received.

Cheers

Richard

[oldnslo]

My hearing seems to be affected by the pitch of the sound. My late wife had a soft voice, and was constantly accusing me of ignoring her, which wasn't true. Current wifey's voice is easier for me to hear, somehow.
The RX7 is probably superceded by a newer model by now, I hate to admit I use outdated helmets, but I paid so much I can't bear to part with them.
I probably could do with a hearing aid, but sometimes hearing too well isn't always a good thing. I had a father in law who, when his wife started reading him the riot act about his drinking, would just turn off the hearing aid, instantly becoming totally deaf. When I quit smoking 3 years ago, the world smelled normal, but now stinks more all the time as my sense of smell returns.
About all anyone can do about all these little hearing problems is learn to live with it. I'm not expecting any cures anytime soon.

[Scott58]

Another option is to redirect the wind. My ride got a quieter after i mounted the flyscreen on my Rebel.