Sports, Biking, Health
RESEARCH SHOWS: Motorcycle Wind Noise can damage your hearing in under 15 Minutes
by Marcos Hernandez
Health Expert
It’s not the engine.
It’s not the traffic.
It’s not even your aftermarket exhaust.
The real threat to your health as a rider?
Wind noise.
Even with a full-face helmet, you’re exposing your ears to 94–110 dB(A) – louder than a construction site, and more dangerous than most workplaces.
The invisible Danger more Bikers should talk about
Whether you're cruising on a naked bike or clocking miles on a touring machine, wind noise is constant and underestimated.
Scientific studies show that at just 100 km/h (62 mph), the wind passing over your helmet produces about 95 dB(A) at your ears.
At 140–160 km/h (87–99 mph), the sound pressure can hit 102–110 dB(A) — equivalent to a rock concert or jet engine.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure above 85 dB(A) for extended periods leads to permanent hearing damage.
Here’s the kicker:
You read that right:
90 seconds on a highway without proper protection is enough to risk irreversible hearing loss.
And helmets? Even the best full-face models only reduce wind noise by 3–5 dB. That’s not enough.
The “ear buzz” is never temporary
Ever finished a long ride and felt like your ears were buzzing?
That’s called a Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS)—your hearing literally dulls itself to protect your eardrums. But over time, these shifts become permanent.
Symptoms riders often report:
Ringing or high-pitched noise after rides (early signs of tinnitus)
Difficulty hearing conversation in noisy environments
Headaches or fatigue after long highway stretches
Loss of focus and slower reaction time due to noise fatigue
Wind fatigue is real. Your brain is burning energy just to filter through the roar of the road. And misses out on what’s important instead.
Long term damage is more common, than you think
Multiple studies (NCBI, WHO, PubMed) confirm that chronic exposure to high-speed riding without hearing protection leads to:
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
Chronic Tinnitus
Sensitivity to sound (hyperacusis)
Loss of speech discrimination in noisy environments
Motorcycle police officers and couriers—those exposed daily—show significantly more hearing loss than the general population.
And yet most civilian riders… don’t even wear hearing protection.
Please don’t try these if you really want to be safe
If you’ve ridden long enough, you’ve probably tried something to reduce wind noise.
But here’s the truth:
Most DIY or off-the-shelf solutions just don’t work—or worse, they compromise your safety.
Let’s break it down:
❌ Foam Earplugs
The classic go-to. Cheap, easy, available at every gas station. But:
They block everything—including engine cues, traffic, sirens
They expand unevenly, causing pressure and discomfort
They often fall out under helmets
The seal isn’t consistent = unpredictable protection
You feel disconnected from your ride
Great for sleeping. Terrible for staying alert on a moving machine.
❌ Full-Coverage Helmets
Yes, you need one. No, it’s not enough.
Even the quietest full-face helmets only reduce wind noise by ~3–5 dB, according to ADAC and acoustic lab tests.
At 100 km/h, you’re still sitting at 90–95 dB(A)—well into the damage zone.
Helmets protect your skull. Not your eardrums.
❌ Riding with Music / Headphones
Tempting, right? Drown out the wind with your favorite playlist?
Here’s what actually happens:
You end up competing with wind noise, cranking volume to dangerous levels
In-ear headphones push more sound pressure directly into the ear canal
Noise-canceling earbuds suppress wind... but also block traffic and sirens
In many regions, riding with headphones is also illegal—and even if it’s not, it’s far from safe.
❌ Doing Nothing
“I’ll be fine. I’m used to it.”
This is the most dangerous mindset of all. Hearing damage is cumulative and irreversible.
By the time you notice it, it’s already too late.
The Real Problem with These “Solutions”?
They either:
Don’t protect your ears
Sacrifice your situational awareness
Or make riding less enjoyable and more fatiguing
What you need is targeted protection that lowers harmful noise, without muting the world.
Loop “Experience 2” - Hearing Protection designed for riders
Unlike cheap foam plugs that block everything and feel like corks, Loop Experience Earplugs use a patented acoustic filter that:
Lowers volume evenly across all frequencies (up to 18 dB)
Preserves situational awareness (hear your engine, sirens, comms)
Fits perfectly under any helmet
Feels comfortable for hours, even on long-distance rides
Comes in 4 sizes with ultra-soft silicone tips
Looks great on and off the bike
This isn’t just about riding in comfort. It’s about still being able to hear your grandkids in 20 years.
Over 999.000 satisfied customers
Who we would recommend the Loop Experience 2 to
Who we would recommend the Loop Experience 2 to
Commuters riding more than 15 min/ day
Touring and ADV riders covering 100+ km
Racers and track-day enthusiasts
Riders with full-face or modular helmets
Every biker who’s ever ridden over 60 km/h
Protecting your hearing is easier than you think — and a lot cheaper than hearing aids.
Loop Experience Earplugs gives you:
✅ Pro-level protection
✅ A snug, low-profile fit under any helmet
✅ Acoustic clarity — not dumbed-down silence
✅ Peace of mind — on every ride
Your bike has brakes but your
ears don’t
What’s included:
If you order directly from their website, you will receive:
1 pair of Loop Earplugs
4 sizes of memory foam tips (XS, S, M, L)
Sleek, portable case
Free returns
Peaceful rides – guaranteed
👉 Available in multiple colors
💰 Just €29.95
🚚 Ships in 2–3 days
💤 Designed in Belgium. Trusted worldwide.
Final Thoughts
You should protect your hearing - always! And if you’re a biker go for the Loop Experience Earplugs.
They’re the missing piece in your gear setup. If you wear gloves to protect your hands… If you wear a helmet to protect your head…
Why not protect your hearing too?
Because once it’s gone — it’s gone.
