I've heard claims before that when riding a motorcycle, wind noise (especially on the highway) is loud enough that it will cause eventual hearing loss.
Personally, I ride a motorcycle, and I usually wear earplugs on longer rides, but I have no scientific reason to do so - I just prefer the decreased noise. Is there any reason to believe I'm actually protecting my hearing by doing so?
Here are some example claims:
- Based on several research studies, the major contributor to hearing loss in the motorcycle industry remains the "silent killer" known as "wind noise."
- That threat is to the loss of your ability to hear. As you read further you will find that it has already happened to you, it will get worse, and that your helmet is an inadequate defense against it.
- For the record, it's our opinion that riding a motorcycle is a very noisy endeavor. The noise that is generated is always loud enough to be dangerous to human health and can easily cause permanent hearing damage.
