Wind noise in helmet
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Ear Plugs.
Speaking as someone who has worked for decades in very close proximity to military aircraft, explosives, pneumatic & heavy equipment, exposed diesel engines, large and small arms fire, I do not take hearing protection for granted. Over those years I witnessed my hearing level shift, despite wearing some of the best hearing protection currently available at the time. This was proven by regular hearing examination testing.
Although some riders would argue that wind noise from a motorcycle is less damaging or not damaging at all compared to jet noise, the truth is they are both just as bad. Hearing loss is insidious and is slow in it's progression, so much so, that it's difficult for a person to detect any drop in hearing from month to month, much less year to year. Keep in mind: There is no known cure for a hearing loss due to loud noise. There is no surgery, no rehabilitation, no medication that returns a noise-induced hearing loss back to normal.
In a NIOSH field study exploring why noise-exposed workers don't wear their hearing protection, the primary reason given was the workers' fear that it would interfere with communication and job performance. For workers with normal hearing, the signal-to-noise ratio actually improves when wearing ear plugs in loud noise, such that hearing a conversation is easier. But that's not the case for workers with existing hearing loss. For them, wearing hearing protection produces a double hearing loss -- the attenuation of the ear plug overlaid on their existing hearing loss. Some powersport operators go thru this same thing. They feel like they can't or won't be able to hear what is going on around them. If you are a car driver and you really take time to think about it, most times you don't ride with all the windows down in your car, stick your head out the window to hear what is going on around you. In fact it's probably the exact opposite.
This article provides some very interesting information and facts concerning the common ailment of motorcycle riding, a condition known as "Temporary Threshold Shift," commonly referred to as TTS by audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals.
So if you value your hearing, invest in a dozen pair of 15 cent earplugs. Experiment with them to find out which ones work best for you. In my opinion, by far one of the best and cheapest motorcycling and personal investments you can make.
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Every helmet i have owned had some sort of a wind noise at some speed or another.....
Sometimes it's the vents or the shield....
I ride with my shield cracked a bit to get air n i know it causes a lot of my noise....
When going over 50 i close it....
Sometimes it's the vents or the shield....
I ride with my shield cracked a bit to get air n i know it causes a lot of my noise....
When going over 50 i close it....
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Sadly ear plugs irritate my ears I normally wear ear muffs when around the equipment I work on but can't wear the whilst wearing a bike helmet I do have a good helmet and wear a chin curtain to reduce the wind rush noise it's the squealing that gets me is there anything else I can do to fix this problem other then ear plugs
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I've thought about putting small speakers inside my helmet....
I have a modular with the room for bluetooth.
Perfect spot for some small speakers n just add a plug on the helmet somewhere to plug it in...
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If regular ear plugs irritate you and is not an option for you, then you need to change the wind pattern that is causing the squeal. You may want to consider a wind screen around bottom of your helmet or at least something to help block the wind. Adding a little additional padding in the ear piece area may be able to help attenuate some wind noise. Thin winter ear muffs can do a little as well, but neither are as effective as plugs.
There are many that have opted to change out their stock windscreens for something a little taller. Double Bubble and Sport Touring wind screens effectively move the wind higher. Depending on your sitting height and riding style some wind noise and buffeting can be reduced. A lot of wind hits most Ninja 250 riders in the chest and the wind rushes up under the bottom of the helmet. A wind screen can redirect some of that wind.
From the looks of your avatar, you ride a naked bike (800 or 1000?) which makes your problem worse. However Zero Gravity makes a new DB windscreen for the 1000 which may fit a 800 as well. I can not attest to it's effectiveness, but it may be better than nothing. You may want to also look at Madstad Engineering, they may be able to come up with a decent adjustable wind screen.
The only other thing i can recommend is maybe some custom ear plugs which may be designed to be more comfortable. The choice is yours...plugs now or hearing aid later.
Good Luck in your search for quietness.
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Maybe just stick a sharp stick in ur ears......
Then u wont hear a thing....
My noise comes from the top vents after i get up to 40-45 MPH.....
I put my hand over them one time n the noise stopped.....
But i have to have the vents open to let air in.....
I actually super-glued them open cause they were at times closed.....
Need the air........air...more air.....
I always keep my visor cracked 1/4-1/2 inch till i get to 50-55 MPH.....
Just like to have the air.......
If it wasn't for all the dam idiots out there texting n driving n not watching the road I probly would wear a helmet much around town driving, but....
I see so many not watching i wear it now all the time....
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Speakers wont stop the wind noise but will help take you mind off it I have a scala rider headset. All the people i ride with do too after i got them all hooked. Its a bluetooth to my phone for calls, a radio, a walkie talkie, and flat out worth the 150.00. Thats the way to go. Skip just the speakers
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A hot chic riding on back holding onto ur Man handle takes ur mind off wind noise....LOL
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I dont disagree there but i ride the bike hard and passengers tend slow me down. I would much rather bluetooth my rage music and tear the backroads up or embarrass some guys on the track. But hey its Definately a way to get your mind off the noise and get ya riding and for that im always up for!!! Ride safe. Where your helmet on and off the bike!!!!
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