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Comment by jsyolo | Hacker News Reader

Why not use a full head helmet with windshield?

Even a quiet helmet, at speed it's like a radio tuned to static turned up to a noise level just below painful. Windshields can actually make it worse, depending on airflow - turbulent air coming over the top and around the sides of the windshield is louder than clean smooth air. Windshields do more for fatigue, weather protection and aerodynamics.

I wear hearing aids due to motorcycle-related hearing loss, and I have never worn anything less than a full helmet.

That just does not work unless you have bubble around your whole body and I bet even then it’s sufficiently loud.

Unless you find the perfect windscreen, most have lots of buffeting and it’s actually quite hard to dial it in perfectly.

Helmets do absolutely zero to block noises.

Edit: just to add. I think it stands. The helmet does not block any sound. It may be aero dynamic enough that it helps prevent additional wind noise but it’s not blocking sound. Ear pro all the time.

My Shoei RF 1400 was extremely quiet. Supposedly one of the few helmets that you actually don't need ear plugs with unless you're going extremely fast.

I would be willing to bet the db was high enough to cause damage over enough time. It’s not just just the peaks but also the duration. I would be very surprised if generally helmets provide much if any meaningful db reduction.

It depends on the helmet and speed. When I got my Arai helmet, the speed where the wind noise is troubling went from 80kmh to 130kmh.

At just 30kph you are getting permanent hearing loss. https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov/have-you-heard/wind-no...

Cyclists typically don't wear full face helmets with wind deflectors.

the helmet makes the wind louder. Air slaps against the shell.

Said it in another thread but while sure it matters, it’s generally a pretty weak argument. It’s your ears and you can decide for yourself but even if it does not sound loud, over the course of a ride it can still be high enough to slowly cause damage.

To me it’s the same kind of argument of friends who would say it’s ok to shoot shotguns without ear pro. Sure it can be done but it adds up.

Maybe I don't ride enough for it to be an issue, but my hearing is top notch for a 35 year old.

I got tested and I'm at 20 y old levels of sensitivity.

And I don’t mean this the wrong way. Your experience is anecdotal. Maybe you ride in a city and slow speeds, maybe you have a windscreen that actually does decent job of creating a bubble over you, maybe you don’t ride for extended periods of time. Too many variables to account for. For the population though, ear pro is recommended for Motorsports. I had a bike once that caused buffeting from the hand guards. It might work for you but generally does not work for many.

If your Arai has the wind deflector in you are giving yourself oxygen deprivation at every stoplight. https://youtu.be/x_ej8sehs8k?si=9LtvP0TfhQzgNDVM

Never been an issue, and I'm susceptible to oxygen deprivation being a big guy with weak lungs.

I get dizzy in crowds, but never while riding.

Full-face helmets are still very noisy at highway speeds

Just 18mph of wind is enough to cause permanent hearing damage. Windshields and helmets don't block enough of the air (the rider needs some air ventilation for defogging in cold weather and cooling in hot weather.)

If you try to fully seal the helmet you cause measurable oxygen deprivation. https://youtu.be/x_ej8sehs8k?si=9LtvP0TfhQzgNDVM

If there's any airflow (and there better be for breathing and ventilation) there's wind noise at speed. You're always better off with plugs.

You might be shocked to learn people have tried that :)

It's hard to believe the amount of road noise on most motorcycles. It's not really comparable to rolling down the window in a nice modern car with good aerodynamics.

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