I am pretty sensitive to my hearing and wear protection (have always worn protection) in situations where most people are just beginning to realize there can be a problem and also in situations where, I'm sure, most people would never dream of wearing hearing protection.

As for cycling, I've tried it - it does make for quieter cycling - but find it uncomfortable (I use either the wax type or sponge type plugs). Also, I don't believe I ride sufficiently long at speeds that will cause me any hearing loss. I can also turn my head a little so that any tendency for wind to whistle in my ears is mitigated. Traffic is another matter - generally, where I ride, the traffic isn't really that noisy or constant. Even in NYC, traffic noise levels in most parts of the city, IMO, are not loud enough to cause damage (BTW, I cannot acknowledge the concept of "temporary hearing loss" - damage comes, hearing goes, permanently).

In short, I found that hearing protection while riding was not for me. I can't imagine having to wear hearing aids while riding. I tried listening to music a couple of times and found that the wind hitting the ear phones caused far too much noise for me - would imagine wind against a hearing aid would essentially make the same amount of noise. I'm convinced the wind, itself, blowing against the phones would cause hearing loss - I haven't even broached the topic of turning up the music to hear over the wind - a sure way to guarantee hearing loss.

I'm really surprised someone hasn't already jumped in here to proclaim how unsafe hearing protection can be while riding - 'you won't hear or be able to audibly distinguish between safe traffic and drivers who deliberately or by accident will run you over as they pass in their cars.'

I tried some extended rides with and without hearing protection and concluded that, for me, it wasn't worth the trouble - but, you should do what works for you.

I believe wearing a helmet (something new in my equipment list this year) has helped with the wind problem as the portion of the strap that passes in front of my ears tends to deflect the wind just enough that the noise in my ear is reduced somewhat.

As I stated above, I am very keen to protection of my hearing - so I am most interested in what others of you have to say concerning this topic.

Caruso