cycling and hearing damage?

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know if there is any research that has found a
link between the wind noise experienced while riding and
permanent hearing damage? And if so, does anyone know of a
practical solution to reduce wind noise while still being
alert to traffic?

thanks, Matt

Matt: Is the noise while cycling really that bad?
Curiously, I notice silence more than anything. Wind noise
is rarely much of an issue, even at relatively high speeds
(when descending). I'll pay a bit more attention to this
tomorrow morning. Could be I'm way-wrong, but it seems to
me that things are quieter when I'm out riding than when
I'm in a car.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Matthew Thomas
Does anyone know if there is any research that has found a
link between the wind noise experienced while riding and
permanent hearing damage? And if so, does anyone know of a
practical solution to reduce wind noise while still being
alert to traffic?

thanks, Matt

salsashark88 "at" hotmail "dot" com

Dear Matt,

At typical bicycling speeds, the wind noise
allows conversation with nearby riders,
admittedly punctuated by puffs and gasps.

Racers worry about being heard shifting gears
as they attack and losing the element of surprise.

The noise of the wind turbulence around Mr.
Spock's pointy ears at 20-30 mph is roughly
comparable to the conversation in a modestly
busy restaurant overlaid with whatever radio
station strikes the manager's fancy.

Modern noises can indeed deafen us, but our
hearing is not so delicate that the wind will
deafen us.

Hearing loss is generally due to infections,
age, and enormously louder noises, such
as over-amped modern music, badly muffled
engines, gunfire, and factory machinery.

Another way to look at it (one of my better
mixed metaphors) is to remember that the
same noise level as the wind while you're
bicycling will lulll you to sleep if it comes from
a fountain or the ocean. It's the music that
deafens surfers, not the sound of the waves.

Any simple ear plugs that shut out the wind
noise directly (instead of reducing the turbulence
that causes it) would also shut out traffic noise.

Be glad you're not a basset hound.

If you're having hearing problems, see an
oto-rhyno-laryngologist, the ENT or
ear-nose-throat doctor. If the noise
of the wind while you're bicycling is
bothering you, it's likely that something
else is wrong.

Good luck,

Carl Fogel

Quoted message said:

does anyone know of a practical solution to reduce wind
noise while still being alert to traffic?

I've seen molded soft-vinyl ear covers that were streamlined
in front, and open to the rear, designed for this purpose;
but I don't remember the brand name, sorry.

I've only noticed the noise of wind when I'm wearing a
helmet....

I'd be curious too..

Mike mikebeauchamp.commikebeauchamp.comOpen ↗

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know if there is any research that has found
a link between the wind noise experienced while riding
and permanent hearing damage? And if so, does anyone
know of a practical solution to reduce wind noise while
still being alert to traffic?

thanks, Matt

Matt: Is the noise while cycling really that bad?
Curiously, I notice silence more than anything. Wind noise
is rarely much of an issue, even

at

Quoted message said:

relatively high speeds (when descending). I'll pay a bit
more attention

to

Quoted message said:

this tomorrow morning. Could be I'm way-wrong, but it
seems to me that things are quieter when I'm out riding
than when I'm in a car.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

On 7 Apr 2004 21:49:26 -0700, [email hidden] (Matthew Thomas)

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know if there is any research that has found a
link between the wind noise experienced while riding and
permanent hearing damage? And if so, does anyone know of a
practical solution to reduce wind noise while still being
alert to traffic?

thanks, Matt

salsashark88 "at" hotmail "dot" com

I have wondered this same thing myself particularly
after being passed by one of those loud pipes clowns
or a truck. My solution is to ride where or when
there less traffic or preferably off road(conditions
permitting).

Fredzep

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Matthew Thomas
Does anyone know if there is any research that has found a
link between the wind noise experienced while riding and
permanent hearing damage? And if so, does anyone know of a
practical solution to reduce wind noise while still being
alert to traffic?

thanks, Matt

salsashark88 "at" hotmail "dot" com

Dear Matt,

Serendipity:

http://www.ucomics.com/calvinandhobbes/1993/04/08/

or

http://tinyurl.com/3y94x

Why are you all looking at me bug-eyed?

Carl Fogel

Matthew Thomas said:

Does anyone know if there is any research that has found a
link between the wind noise experienced while riding and
permanent hearing damage?

Do you also ride motorbikes - or did a motorcyclist ask you?
I was bemused when I first saw your question, but there seem
to be a few web-pages suggesting motorcyclists might suffer
hearing-loss from the wind noise.

One of them also seemed to suggest that wind noise increased
exponentially with speed (100 dB at 30mph - seemed high to
me; 115 at 60mph) - which suggests to me that most cyclists
are likely to be quite safe. Maybe someone here knows
differently, though?

AC

Mike Beauchamp said:

I've only noticed the noise of wind when I'm wearing a
helmet....

Me too.

anonymous coward <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

One of them also seemed to suggest that wind noise
increased exponentially with speed (100 dB at 30mph -
seemed high to me; 115 at 60mph) - which suggests to me
that most cyclists are likely to be quite safe. Maybe
someone here knows differently, though?

On my motorbike I use hearing protection on the longer
distances. ( > 20 minutes). On shorter distances I rely on
my helmet itself. Yes some helmets provide some protection.
On the other hand, some helmets are noisier than other.

Whem I am self-propelled bicycling I do not need protection
although also here some helmets are noisier than other.

Han

Fredzep said:

I have wondered this same thing myself particularly
after being passed by one of those loud pipes clowns
or a truck. My solution is to ride where or when
there less traffic or preferably off road(conditions
permitting).

How do you get anywhere useful? I mean, mostly, I go to
places where other people are to socialize, work, trade, or
share. Most of those places are deep within the motor
vehicle infrastructure and see quite a bit of traffic
(including transit buses and other large service vehicles).

So do you just not go out where other people are or what?

Elmo.

Matthew Thomas said:

Does anyone know if there is any research that has found a
link between the wind noise experienced while riding and
permanent hearing damage?

I would be suspicious of such a link. Wind noise usually
just SEEMS loud. I've never been unable to hear traffic over
the wind and that implies to me that the wind is not as loud
as traffic and therefore cycling puts you at not much more
risk for hearing damage than walking on the sidewalk.
(Though I do my best to always plug my ears when passing
sirens on emergency vehicles.)

Quoted message said:

And if so, does anyone know of a practical solution to
reduce wind noise while still being alert to traffic?

If you want to cut down on ear turbulence and also decrease
the amount of cold air blowing into your ears (which could
promote infection and other hearing risks), get yourself a
very thin ear warmer. Mine is a relatively fine lycra knit
headband that pulls down over my forehead, covers both
ears, and goes around the base of my skull. It streamlines
the head to reduce wind noise and traps the warm air around
your ears.

Elmo King

Matthew Thomas said:

Does anyone know if there is any research that has found a
link between the wind noise experienced while riding and
permanent hearing damage?

Has anyone researched if drivers of cars, let alone
lorries or trucks, are deafened permanently by the noise
of their vehicles?

Quoted message said:

And if so, does anyone know of a practical solution to
reduce wind noise while still being alert to traffic?

Compared to cyclists, passengers of cars hear virtually
nothing when it comes to 'alertness to traffic'. Maybe you
are bothered personally by wind noise, but I don't see a
reason why one should really care for this. However: A wad
of cotton wool will supposedly do the trick for you.

Patrick

On Thu, 08 Apr 2004 05:00:30 GMT, "Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]>
wrote:

<it seems to me that <things are quieter when I'm out riding
than when I'm in a car.

...until you turn off the Tchaikovsky ;-)

Hello Matt.

The human ear does have a certain amount of
recoverability when exposed to moderately loud noises for
short periods of time.

I have a profound hearing loss in both ears, and wear a
Hearing Aid in one ear all the time. Wind noise does become
aggravating, and quite annoying, but my Hearing Aid does
have a volume control. Amplifing wind noise like this could
perhaps be a detriment to us hearing aid users, as the noise
may be amplified to levels hovering at, or slightly
exceeding 100db.

If wind noise somehow bothers you, or you have concerns, and
would like to do all that is possible to protect your
hearing, there are ear plugs that are placed within the ear
canal, that drop volume levels perhaps 20-30db, are
virtually unnoticeable, not all that uncomfortable, or
stupid looking, can be worn in any weather, and permit
unhindered normal conversation,etc.

Generally, gun shops, and I even think places like Wal-Mart
will carry units such as these in stock in the sporting
dept. I can remember one plug that was called "Hearos" Thier
range of sophistication can cost between a few dollars to
perhaps $20-25 for a pair. Hope this helps, Mark D.

[email hidden] (Matthew Thomas) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know if there is any research that has found a
link between the wind noise experienced while riding and
permanent hearing damage? And if so, does anyone know of a
practical solution to reduce wind noise while still being
alert to traffic?

thanks, Matt

salsashark88 "at" hotmail "dot" com

On 7 Apr 2004 21:49:26 -0700, [email hidden] (Matthew Thomas)

may have said:

Does anyone know if there is any research that has found a
link between the wind noise experienced while riding and
permanent hearing damage?

The noise level from that cause is so low that I seriously
doubt that anyone would ever fund such a study.

Quoted message said:

And if so, does anyone know of a practical solution to
reduce wind noise while still being alert to traffic?

A do-rag tied so that it goes over the ears should do
nicely. You might even start a fashion trend...

Remember; the wind will never be as loud as the Harley that
just went by with straight pipes. If you want to look for a
road-noise-related hearing hazard, look at the motorized
traffic, not the wind.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

On Thu, 08 Apr 2004 07:30:25 -0400, William Holiday

may have said:

On Thu, 08 Apr 2004 05:00:30 GMT, "Mike Jacoubowsky"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

<it seems to me that <things are quieter when I'm out
riding than when I'm in a car.

...until you turn off the Tchaikovsky ;-)

But why would you do that?

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

On Thu, 08 Apr 2004 02:50:13 -0700, Elmo Spam King

may have said:

Fredzep said:

I have wondered this same thing myself particularly
after being passed by one of those loud pipes clowns
or a truck. My solution is to ride where or when
there less traffic or preferably off road(conditions
permitting).

How do you get anywhere useful? I mean, mostly, I go to
places where other people are to socialize, work, trade, or
share. Most of those places are deep within the motor
vehicle infrastructure and see quite a bit of traffic
(including transit buses and other large service vehicles).

So do you just not go out where other people are or what?

Not everyone lives in an urban metropolis. Some actually
reside in places where interesting activities abound within
a radius easily reached by a bike rider, often via routes
that are fairly free of the need to dodge Kenworths and
Excursions. Take me, for example...in Houston.

--
My email address is antispammed; pull WEEDS if replying via e-mail.
Typoes are not a bug, they're a feature.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

Mike Jacoubowsky said:

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know if there is any research that has found
a link between the wind noise experienced while riding
and permanent hearing damage? And if so, does anyone know
of a practical solution to reduce wind noise while still
being alert to traffic?

Matt: Is the noise while cycling really that bad?
Curiously, I notice silence more than anything.

It's the kind of thing you're so used to that you don't
notice it. I usually wear a balaclava or hat over my ears
during the winter months. Wind noise is highly noticeable
when I then occasionally go out with a naked head. But
during the summer, I'm totally oblivious to the noise after
the first couple of rides without hat.

There's probably no scientific evidence yet but I suspect
this constant high frequency noise could damage hearing to
some extent. On busy roads, noise from car tyres and
engines is also a worry (fast roads re tyres; inner cities
re engines).

~PB

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Anonymous Cowar

BMatthew Thomas said:

Does anyone know if there is any research that has found a
link between the wind noise experienced while riding and
permanent hearing damage?

Do you also ride motorbikes - or did a motorcyclist ask you?
I was bemused when I first saw your question, but there seem
to be a few web-pages suggesting motorcyclists might suffer
hearing-loss from the wind noise.

One of them also seemed to suggest that wind noise increased
exponentially with speed (100 dB at 30mph - seemed high to
me; 115 at 60mph) - which suggests to me that most cyclists
are likely to be quite safe. Maybe someone here knows
differently, though?

AC [/B]

Dear Matt and A.C.,

Street motorcycles are a different kettle of fish
than bicycles because the speeds are much higher
and the exhaust noise is added. A typical bicycle
is going to roll at only about 15 to 25 mph, a sedate
stroll for a street motorcycle, and the only engine
noise is the panting of the rider.

Hearing loss from noise is the result of decibel
level, or energy, but this is not actaully a very
good measure for this particular situation.

The trouble is that absolute sound energy is
usually measured for sounds at a reasonable
distance--five feet away, within a room, inside
a car.

This makes sense for normal sounds, but not
for what we're calling wind noise on a bicycle.
There is practically no wind noise produced by
a bicycle, as anyone can prove by listening to
a bicycle roll past.

The noise that we're talking about is the
turbulence as our pointy ears hit the wind
stream at an angle--we can hear it, but no
one else can. It's an absolutely tiny, trivial
noise (you'd have to be Dumbo to make
a noise audible to anyone else by turning
your head in the wind), but it's occurring
right next to your ear drum. The huge leverage
of proximity is what magnifies the tiny noise of
the breeze rustling past your ear-lobes.

This is why bicycle helmets can make an
audible difference, even though they don't
cover our ears. Things may sound different
because the helmet changes the air flow
around your head--just as turning your head
slightly to one side or the other will change the
noise.

As a rough guide, however, notice that you can
easily talk to other bicycle riders over this noise.
It's no worse than standing on the deck of
a ferry boat, enjoying the breeze, and chatting
with a friend.

But just as wind drag increases exponentially
with speed, so will wind noise right in a rider's
ear increase as speed rises. This is one reasons
why motorcycle fairings are popular--they cut the
wind speed and reduce the noise. But most
bicyclists don't reach 50 mph often enough to
worry about this.

The same is true of headphones on planes.
The music may be playing, but they still muffle
some of the roar of the engines.

Carl Fogel