Going for a bike ride around Perimeter Loop is not only beautiful, but it’s beneficial to your heart health. If you’re an avid cycler, it’s crucial that you don’t forget hearing protection.
Why Hearing Protection Matters on Bike Rides
Prolonged exposure to noise at or above 85 decibels can damage your hearing; the greater the volume, the faster the hearing loss. If noise reaches levels at or exceeding 120 decibels, you can develop hearing loss near instantly.[1]
The main source of noise while cycling is wind. A 2017 evaluation on the volume of wind noise while cycling found that the wind could reach levels ranging from 84.9 dB at 10 mph to a maximum of 120.3 dB at 60 mph.[2] Put another way, the faster you cycle, the greater your noise exposure.
You don’t have to give up your favorite aerobic exercise to protect your hearing; just take some safety precautions.
Hearing Safety Precautions
There are two ways you can limit your wind noise exposure while you ride:
- Wind guards. Wind guards either divert wind away from your ears or absorb some of its noise. There are a few different types, including helmet panels, foam blocks (often attached to helmets) or headbands.
- Sweatband. If you don’t have access to wind guards, a simple sweatband can help. Wrap it around your forehead and ears to limit noise exposure. It may not be as effective as specialty wind guards, but any amount of noise reduction is good noise reduction.
Cycling should be a fun and heart-healthy exercise, not a path to hearing loss. By protecting your hearing with one of the above noise reducers, you can continue to enjoy your favorite hobby while safeguarding your ears. For more information on hearing protection or to schedule a hearing test, contact Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants today.
[1] National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2025). Noise-induced hearing loss. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss
[2] Seidman, M. D., Wertz, A. G., Smith, M. M., Jacob, S., & Ahsan, S. F. (2017). Evaluation of Noise Exposure Secondary to Wind Noise in Cyclists. Otolaryngology–head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 157(5), 848–852. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599817715250