reducedfatoreo

Check out this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...9677-Ear-Plugs

Lots of info on what you're asking.

BarracksSi

That's what I'd recommend. There are a bunch, all the way to custom-molded ones that work really well (got a set of those with -20 dB filters). I'd also say to look at Etymotics earplugs like their ER20:
https://www.etymotic.com/hp/er20.html

They work as advertised, toning everything down without making a muffled mess. You can still understand what people say because it doesn't block out the S and T sounds like solid foam earplugs do.

Also, over in this thread in Commuting (wind noise can come from gusts and not sheer speed ), someone mentioned Earpeace earplugs:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...9677-Ear-Plugs
https://www.earpeace.com/

He said that since they don't stick out as much as the ER20s, they are less likely to rub on the helmet strap.

My thoughts about wind noise and safety --

If you think about it, there really is a lot of wind noise, even during regular riding on the flats. The next time you ride with someone and carry on a conversation, notice how loudly you have to speak even if they're right next to you. No, it's not as loud as the the end of the runway at LaGuardia or a dance club, but you're probably speaking as loudly as you would in a bar during happy hour. After a couple hours of constant wind buffeting, that's a lot of noise exposure.

Regarding being surprised by cars: I've had instances where I can't hear whatever's right behind me -- even though I had nothing at all in my ears. I had a tour bus patiently wait to pass me safely and I wouldn't have known he was back there if I hadn't looked over my shoulder. I know to never, ever rely on my hearing to guarantee my safety. To paraphrase Obi-Wan Kenobi , "Your ears can deceive you. Don't trust them."

Lastly: DEAF PEOPLE RIDE BIKES, TOO.

BarracksSi

I haven't used them that much, but when I did (whether noise-isolating music earbuds or the earplugs I mentioned earlier), I was so much more relaxed when I got back home, mentally speaking. I really should use them more often.

haaseg

I always thought most of that wind noises was strictly due to the helmet - particularly with the straps that are supposed to be loose and really close to your ears. I find if I'm getting a whole lot of noise like a cross-wind on a windy day, if I turn my head to a certain degree the wind noise completely goes away. I would assume the same is true for downhill speeds?

I wonder if there are any studies on which helmet is quieter?

Carbon Unit

I wear ear warmers. It looks like a head band and covers my ears keeping the wind out. Also makes a good sweat band.

nhluhr

I can't believe all the posts recommending earplugs and such. It's the pressure change from going downhill!! Just clear your ears like you're on an airplane.

urbanknight

+1 to trying the musician's earplugs. I doubt you'll experience any real hearing loss from it, though. I'm a music teacher, and my ears feel much more muffled after a day when the kids are exceptionally hyper than they do after my longest rides in the mountains.

BarracksSi

Despite my posts about earplugs, the pressure change seems like a good explanation, too. I have to pop my ears when taking the elevator to the 21st floor of my hotel, and the OP's descent is sure to be a lot farther than that anyway.

nhluhr

Even riding the smallish 400-500ft descents in the Seattle metro area will give a significant 'dulling' effect from air pressure. I'll often clear my ears multiple times on long descents of 1000ft or more.

Gumbus

This is a good question cause I too have significant hearing loss from flying airplanes in the Navy and now commercial. the weird thing about hearing loss is that now loud noise really hurts my ears, go figure. I too wear foam plugs that I use in the cockpit just to mute the wind noise. Without them, the ringing in my ears is worse after the ride.

rm -rf

I get a lot of wind noise on downhills. Maybe it's my ear shape, or the helmet? I don't use earplugs on my short downhills, but I did try them last summer on a 9 mile downhill. It helped a lot. I can still hear well enough with them in, and they are the disposable foam ones. I should use them more often.

Looigi

I've tried both their products. They do cut down wind noise a small amount but not enough to be worthwhile, IMO.

urbanknight

I can tell the difference between air pressure and ear volume adjustment, and the latter is what I experience after a very long and fast descent (although both phenomenons are possible). But it's still not much of a health concern. The ears naturally adjust to varying volumes to protect themselves. Walk into a night club with loud music and your ears will feel plugged up when you walk out because your ears haven't adjusted yet. It's just like your eyes dilating in the dark and everything seeming super bright when you walk into the sunlight. I highly doubt riding a bike in any wind at any speed would cause permanent loss of hearing.

To the OP, if you start experiencing a permanent ringing in your ears or the muffled feeling takes many hours to go away, then you might have something to worry about.

edit: I didn't mean to say you can't experience plugged ears, just that the other is possible.

Essex

Are you recommending a Valslava maneuver? The psi difference in a steep descent might account for minor bits of discomfort, but I would imagine a rider being able to naturally equalize during a long descent. Rapid changes in pressure like going up a elevator, or descending while scuba diving accounts for inner ear discomfort, but I really doubt cyclists are dropping that fast. Swallowing helps. Plus, there is enough pressure on your butt/diaphragm to probably equalize naturally for such a small pressure differential.

As per blocking sound - if noise is a biggie I typically take a 1/2 sheet of paper towel with me, tear off two tiny bits, crumple it and stick it in my ear. Looks like crap but doesn't seal the ear canal from ambient pressure, plus when I'm done I don't feel too guilty about dropping two tiny pieces of paper on the roadway. I remember once when a guy fell asleep on a flight from India with foam plugs only to wake up with hearing loss and a trip to emergency room. The foam plugs, being drunk didn't allow him to equalize on the way down.

urbanknight

Anybody got a link to those helmet strap fairings? Do they still sell those?

edit: Found them already. I wonder if these things actually work.

stonefree

If your ears aren't popping after an elevation change, you may have an earwax buildup. That's what happened to me and I went to an ear specialist and he removed two bullet sized chunks of earwax, one from each ear and viola, I could hear again. That story is hearby approved for sarcasm and should be good for some jokes, so go for it.

electrik

Whatever you stick in your ears make sure it doesn't go into the canal and that you can get it back out... all of it.

urbanknight

So you had wax removed from your ears and you could suddenly hear a failed violinist getting a job?

Hey, you asked for it. But seriously, I have yet to see someone on this forum correctly spell voila. What gives?

Joe360

I honestly don't think that it is the preassure change that makes my hearing feel a bit dulled. I may have even gone to far by saying that it was dulled. However I do feel that the wind noise is a bit annoying. I will try the small pieces of paper to see if that is enough. If that is sufficient I will try it when I do the Tour de Foothills.

Essex

Some fine points of sticking bits if paper towel in your ear - the ear canal should be clean. Sticky ear wax can adhere to the paper towel bits making it difficult to come out. Additionally, using a quality paper towel with some structural integrity is important because you don't want it coming out in pieces. Toilet tissue, lesser-quality towels can shred and that is no fun.

Note: if it doesn't come out you may need assistance with getting it out. So I advise some degree of caution beforehand and that you do a bit of short experimentation before taking it on the road. Last bit - packing it in tight (like packing a Howitzer cannon) is not good because when you're done sweaty, or fat fingers have a hard time removing the bits. I leave a bit of a tag out so that I am able to grab it. Best with your experiment and hopefully it will attenuate some of the effects of wind and road noise.

horus11B

Being in the military its pretty important for me to be able to talk to my fireteam, and manuver my guys, while shooting a firearm indoors. I use earplugs made by a company called surefire, which also makes some amazingly bright flashlights and other military accessories. They are the diaphram design, where you can hear perfectly until a loud noise happens and then it muffles accordingly. Im pretty sure wearing a pair would get rid of the wind noise rushing around your ears but allow you to hear just fine on decents.

https://www.surefire.com/EarProProducts