Cat Ears Review
12-26-16, 05:22 PM
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Cat Ears Review
This morning I went on my ride with my Cat Ear wind deflectors. I was very pleased with them. They are basically just a flat tube of soft material that mounts on the front straps of the helmet in front of your ears. They do not block out all wind noise but do block out a substantial amount. This greatly improves hearing traffic approaching from the rear, especially while pedaling in to a head wind. Yeah, they look a little weird (nothing outrageous), but so does a 60 year old male in cycling shorts and jersey. I would definitely recommend them for anyone who suffers from tinnitus as I do.
12-26-16, 07:52 PM
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Maybe it's an old guy thing but I love my Cat Ears too. Reduces wind noise just enough.
12-26-16, 07:56 PM
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12-27-16, 04:48 AM
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Made my own years ago.
12-27-16, 05:03 AM
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I call them Elvis [side]burns. Look a bit goofy, I admit, bit they do work, as noted.
12-27-16, 09:35 AM
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And for another opinion...
I tried Cats Ears for about four months. At first it seemed to cut down wind noise. After a while, though, they seemed more efficient at trapping sweat than cutting down the noise. When I gave up on them, the wind didn't seem any louder on the next few rides than it had on the last rides with them on.
I tried Cats Ears for about four months. At first it seemed to cut down wind noise. After a while, though, they seemed more efficient at trapping sweat than cutting down the noise. When I gave up on them, the wind didn't seem any louder on the next few rides than it had on the last rides with them on.
12-27-16, 10:25 AM
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I have the cat ears triangular shaped things that cover the entire ear. Definitely cut down on noise from wind and that inner ear ache from the cold, but it totally depends on your helmet design. Worked great on my Bern helmet because the straps come down very close to the face from the top, but on my Nutcase helmet or Kali helmet the straps start out too far from the head to be really effective.
12-27-16, 11:09 AM
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For some of us, ahem, older folks, our hearing changes, along with everything else, and some frequencies are more troublesome than others. It is not surprising that wind noise for some of us is very annoying.
12-27-16, 11:16 AM
#11
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I carry a pair of these in a jersey pocket:
They typically knock 25db of white (wind) noise off the top end of the sound spectrum yet still allow you to hear the traffic around you.
They typically knock 25db of white (wind) noise off the top end of the sound spectrum yet still allow you to hear the traffic around you.
12-27-16, 01:21 PM
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Saw a dude wearing them and I swear I thought Elvis was back. 
Saw him a week later and he had ditched them.
If I face the cold or high winds, I place half a small section of a tissue in my ears. Just enough to block the wind or cold getting in my ear but still have the sense of hearing. Works well and I don't care much for the Elvis look.
Saw him a week later and he had ditched them.If I face the cold or high winds, I place half a small section of a tissue in my ears. Just enough to block the wind or cold getting in my ear but still have the sense of hearing. Works well and I don't care much for the Elvis look.
12-27-16, 02:16 PM
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12-27-16, 02:52 PM
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And for another opinion...
I tried Cats Ears for about four months. At first it seemed to cut down wind noise. After a while, though, they seemed more efficient at trapping sweat than cutting down the noise. When I gave up on them, the wind didn't seem any louder on the next few rides than it had on the last rides with them on.
I tried Cats Ears for about four months. At first it seemed to cut down wind noise. After a while, though, they seemed more efficient at trapping sweat than cutting down the noise. When I gave up on them, the wind didn't seem any louder on the next few rides than it had on the last rides with them on.
12-27-16, 08:30 PM
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I guess I could have saved a little cash and just let the hair grow in my ears. Yeah, I know, not a pretty visual.
12-29-16, 02:59 PM
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A guy in my cycling club used to wear them but I recently noticed he isn't wearing them any more. Not sure why because I haven't asked him. Just an observation...
12-29-16, 03:05 PM
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I've thought about this but I'm concerned about doing anything that might reduce my ability to hear traffic. I do a lot of group riding as well and I wonder if I would be able to hear commands from riders in front of me ("stopping", "slowing", etc.). I should give it a try though.
12-29-16, 05:21 PM
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I've thought about this but I'm concerned about doing anything that might reduce my ability to hear traffic. I do a lot of group riding as well and I wonder if I would be able to hear commands from riders in front of me ("stopping", "slowing", etc.). I should give it a try though.
Foam ear plugs come in different "grades" of protection, depending on the density of the foam - anywhere from 15-30 db of noise reduction off the "top end". I've never had a problem being able to hear ambient traffic or conversation. They just remove the wind "buzz". Give 'em a try - all of the quiet with none of "the Elvis".
12-29-16, 05:52 PM
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I do a lot of long distance motorcycling touring and foam ear plugs are a "must have". Being subjected to 10+ hours of "wind noise", even with a quiet, full face helmet, can be exhausting and dangerously disorienting.
Foam ear plugs come in different "grades" of protection, depending on the density of the foam - anywhere from 15-30 db of noise reduction off the "top end". I've never had a problem being able to hear ambient traffic or conversation. They just remove the wind "buzz". Give 'em a try - all of the quiet with none of "the Elvis".
Foam ear plugs come in different "grades" of protection, depending on the density of the foam - anywhere from 15-30 db of noise reduction off the "top end". I've never had a problem being able to hear ambient traffic or conversation. They just remove the wind "buzz". Give 'em a try - all of the quiet with none of "the Elvis".
12-29-16, 09:16 PM
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I tried a set for awhile but no longer use them. I like to listen to podcasts or news/talk radio and external, around-the-head headphones reduce wind noise considerably, allowing me to listen at a lower volume and even be MORE aware of sounds around me.
They keep my ears warm, too! I haven't had to wear my 180s ear muffs yet this year.
They keep my ears warm, too! I haven't had to wear my 180s ear muffs yet this year.
