Go Back   Two Wheel Fix > In the Garage or Shop > Riding Gear

View Poll Results: Do you consider your ears in relation to your helmet choice?
Yes 5 25.00%
No 11 55.00%
Other (please explain) 4 20.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-08-2011, 08:25 PM   #1
Gas Man
Trip's Assistant
 
Gas Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Imported from Detroit
Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic
Posts: 12,149
Default Is your helmet responsible your hearing loss?

Have you even considered hearing protection on your bike? I do!

Quote:
Are Motorcycle Helmets Responsible For Hearing Loss?

Published by Cyril Huze



New twist in the debate regarding motorcycling with or without helmets. Not about freedom of choice, not about health and safety benefits, not about DOT etc…

New studies published in The Journal Of The Acoustical Society Of America warn that if helmets can protect your brain they can also largely contribute to hearing loss.
Results show that the biggest and most dangerous source of noise is not the roar of your engine, but your helmet acting as a special air filter attenuating noise in the region above 500 Hz and amplifying noise in the regions below 500 Hz. Even at legal speeds, the sound of air rushing in areas underneath the helmet and near the chin bar can exceed safe levels.
For demonstration purpose, scientists placed motorcycles helmets atop mannequin heads, mounted them in a wind tunnel, and turned on the fans. By placing microphones at different locations around the helmet and at the mannequin’s ear, the researchers found that is a significant source of the noise that reaches riders” sensitive eardrums. It is the 1st time that the acoustic effect of helmets has been reported. These findings may incite or oblige, if governments get involved, helmet manufacturers to design quieter helmets and use the “riders’ ears protection” as a new marketing tool.


I know that I have a "road trip" helmet which is a full face modular. I have it setup with headphones inside the helmet that work through my HD audio system. I also have it equipped with a Sena system. The modular allows me to close it in cold, rain, and to quiet down the wind.

This also allows me to not have to wear ear plugs.

Have you considered your ears when choosing your helmet?
__________________
-Chris



"Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?"
Run Amsoil Product
Gas Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2011, 08:55 PM   #2
pauldun170
Serious Business
 
pauldun170's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: New York
Moto: 1993 ZX-11 2008 CBR1000rr
Posts: 9,723
Default

I wear earplugs. Helmets suck at protecting hearing
__________________


Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave View Post
feed your dogs root beer it will make them grow large and then you can ride them and pet the motorcycle while drinking root beer
pauldun170 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2011, 08:57 PM   #3
Cutty72
Ride Naked.
 
Cutty72's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Flat and Straight ND
Moto: 08 BUELL 1125R, 05 SV650S
Posts: 7,916
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pauldun170 View Post
I wear earplugs. Helmets suck at protecting hearing
This.

I prefer a well ventilated helmet. Ventilation means airflow, airflow means noise.

Earplugs take away the issue.
__________________
Adrenaline... the wonder drug.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gas Man View Post
Again... Cutty you are one smart man!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Chi View Post
If I have to get help to get it back up, I dont need to be riding it.

3662 Supply NCO

Cutty72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2011, 09:06 PM   #4
Particle Man
Custom User Title
 
Particle Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central NY
Moto: 2003 SV650S
Posts: 14,959
Default

What?













I too wear earplugs or noise canceling earbuds
__________________
I'm not "fat."
I'm "Enlarged to show texture."


Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.
Particle Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2011, 09:41 PM   #5
Homeslice
Elitist
 
Homeslice's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Moto: Gix 750
Posts: 11,351
Default

Even with earplugs, some helmets are unbearable on long trips because of the vents or a visor that doesn't seal properly.
Homeslice is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2011, 10:00 PM   #6
Corey
AMA Supersport
 
Corey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Florida
Moto: Not a damn thing
Posts: 2,612
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pauldun170 View Post
I wear earplugs. Helmets suck at protecting hearing
This, every time I ride. My hearing is still pretty good after 15 years of riding.
__________________
Half man, half horse, half motorcycle. All awesome.

"Your game is shit, your company is shit. Activision ruined you! Activision ruined you." - Francis
Corey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2011, 10:23 PM   #7
askmrjesus
Soul Man
 
askmrjesus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Everywhere, all the time.
Moto: '0000 Custom Turbo Cross (with jet kit).
Posts: 6,481
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Particle Man View Post
What?
He said:

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED YOUR EARS WHEN CHOOSING YOUR HELMET?


JC
__________________
The way things are going, they're gonna crucify me.
askmrjesus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2011, 10:24 PM   #8
Particle Man
Custom User Title
 
Particle Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central NY
Moto: 2003 SV650S
Posts: 14,959
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by askmrjesus View Post
He said:

HAVE YOU CONSIDERED YOUR EARS WHEN CHOOSING YOUR HELMET?


JC
Huh? Here's a moving hamlet?
__________________
I'm not "fat."
I'm "Enlarged to show texture."


Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.
Particle Man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2011, 11:10 PM   #9
quackPOT
Grand Master Fu
 
quackPOT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Treasure Valley, ID USA
Moto: Ducati Multistrada GT
Posts: 90
Default

No, I rely on foam earplugs or a pair of etymotic er6i stereo buds to regulate the noise my ears have to endure. I learned the value/comfort of ear plugs a long time ago.
quackPOT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-08-2011, 11:18 PM   #10
derf
token jewboy
 
derf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Moto: CBR 900, KLR ugly ass duckling, Gas Man
Posts: 10,799
Default

I generally use ear plugs on anything longer than a quick run around the block. local stuff I won't.

But I do have some hearing loss in my right ear, and I have been diagnosed with tinnitus. I believe that it has more to do with my profession than it does bikes. i used to run around shooting stuff, rifles, cannons, and stuff without earplus because I thought it was cool. Now I am seeing the error of my ways.
__________________
derf is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:50 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.