Designmindz

Hi Guys, I'm loving my new bike... I'm making an effort to ride everyday. One thing I've noticed straight away is the whistle if the wind in my ears as I ride, which is quite distracting. Sometimes I think a car is there (getting a mirror) and look behind to see there is not.

Previously when I rode motorcycles I used ear plugs to dampen the noise and make the ride much more comfortable. There was no significant hearing loss which compromised my safety, and I could still hear traffic.

Do people use air plugs when cycling to remove the sound of the wind in your ears, or would this be considered dangerous? If not, what do people use, or is it just accepted as part of cycling?

JohnDThompson 

I haven't found a need to use anything myself (perhaps I'm not fast enough for it to be a problem?), but other people may use "Cat-Ears" to block wind noise:

https://www.cat-ears.com/

hillyman

Can't say the wind ever bothered me noise wise. Now headwinds and crosswinds are of the devil

dmanthree

Try getting used to it and filtering it out. Do not wear headphones or ear buds that prevent you from hearing traffic.

MattTheHat 

I ride with a Bluetooth headset so I can listen listen to music while I ride. This also cuts down on wind noise.

Hiro11

I get what you're talking about and I have actually tried Cat Ears, the O.G. Disco Stu sideburns version. They work really well, the ride was more serene and I could hear much better. They're actually a great idea and everyone who rides a lot should try them. Still, vanity prevented me from continuing to use them.

woodcraft

I wear earplugs a lot for work, but don't while riding, even 'tho the wind noise is bothersome. Don't think they would be a safety problem.

Coincidentally, I just watched this classic recently...

DropBarFan

I've thought Cat Ears would be fun to try. Sometimes crossing bridges the wind noise can be quite bothersome. Other times I imagine they might help one hear overtaking vehicles better.

Ross520

I can hear better with plugs. The wind noise deafens me to the point where it takes a very loud noise to cut through its roar. With plugs I can better hear approaching vehicles.

diphthong

and here (hear?) we go again...just always assume there's a vehicle right behind you. they rarely fail to disappoint.
some of the newer electric vehicles don't make the usual telltale sounds conventional autos do. if you plan on cycling with
a vehicle directly behind you at all times, you conveniently won't be surprised. if you want to fancydance in the lane, use your
mirror or actually turn your head to verify lack of vehicle in your immediate area.

Designmindz

Has this one been discussed before?

Kapusta

Huh. I am surprised I have not thought of this. I learned a long time ago that I could hear better in places with loud music with ear plugs. I cut foam ones in half and use half in each ear.

The wind noise in my ears can aggravate my tinnitus. I’ve tried Cat Ears (those sideburn-looking things) but they are a hassle with my helmet.

Ross520

I have tinnitus too, Kapusta. For myself, personally, I find that I have difficulty hearing other sounds over the presence of wind and other loud noises. And even after the noise has stopped, my hearing is muffled for a bit. You are probably the same way. Might be something to do with hearing loss.

Korina

Are you handy with yarn or do you know someone who is? I keep a pair of these ear warmers on my helmet, and they block the wind without blocking other sounds; kind of like a furry thing on a microphone. I made some for warm weather riding with thinner cotton/acrylic yarn and a smaller hook. If you know a knitter, I can find a knit pattern for you.

ckindt

Yeah, that's very crafty. Do you sell them?

Designmindz

So I bought some of my favourite earplugs today (Macks Snore Blockers) and went for my usual ride along the river this evening. I had to ride on the roads for a few minutes and could easily hear vehicles approaching me, without the whistling wind noise. When I hit the track I picked up a bit of speed and really noticed the difference - I find it much more comfortable riding with plugs in.

I did lament that I cannot hear the nature of birds and the river etc, so stopped to observe these sounds and took the plugs out. I decided to ride back without them but quickly realised that when I get up to speed the sound of the wind blocks out any nature sounds I might want to observe anyway. So I stopped and put the plugs back in which was much better.

I have decided my riding will be primarily a visual experience and pleasant sounds of nature can be observed with other activities. The main thing to me is I can hear vehicles, bells and sirens easily while enjoying the comfort of not hearing the whistling wind in my ears.

pdlamb

I've found a cotton ball (well, a part of one) instead of a formal ear plug cuts wind noise way down, and I can still hear the birds, albeit at somewhat reduced volume. They work much better for me than Cat Ears.

livedarklions

Just an aside, but I think this bugs some people and not others because people's ears differ so much in shape.

Kapusta

I’ll have to try that. Thanks.

freeranger

I haven't tried them for riding, but use them if I'm practicing music with other people, especially if they like to practice with some volume, but they might work for riding: https://www.hearos.com/collections/a...with-free-case

sal

I ride with Aftershokz. They don't plug your ears and you can listen to bluetooth music. I don't hear wind anymore.

https://aftershokz.com/

Kapusta

The OP is looking to reduce noise, not add more.

Notso_fastLane

Gonna have to concur with the recommendation for the https://www.cat-ears.com/

I have those on one of my helmets and they make a significant reduction in the wind noise. I was skeptical when I ordered them, but they really do work well.

Korina

I have a few pair in the lighter cotton/acrylic yarn; boring colors, black, red, or charcoal. I could send you a pair if you're interested.

Jon T

I tried the cat ears and found out that if the strap in front of your ears isn't right up on them, as in almost touching, the cat ears are worthless.
Jon