12-07-13, 11:50 AM
Simonm,
I am a fully qualified sound engineer. I go on at my wife NOT to wear in ear earplugs so much because they cause hearing problems in later life. This is because of the artificial environment they create inside your ear canal to give the impression and intensity of loud music, but at the same time your hearing is taking a real bashing. The BBC did an interesting study on this and found that the iPod generation will likely have 40-60% hearing damage by the end of their working life's!!!
If you wear earplugs headphones to block out wind noise (or a machine, whatever) all you are doing is masking the sound. In real terms, you are adding more of another, more pleasing sound, to combat the displeasing sound. You are not dealing with the issue.
I would consider a quieter helmet and maybe some high end custom ear plugs? Maybe even a touring screen... But you have to address the issue, not cover it with more noise. You will only make your situation worse.
Trust me on this, I have been working in some VERY loud environments (live music, jet engines, gun shots, trackside, skydiving, motorcycling...) for a long time. I have looked after my hearing from day one and at 33, I still have better hearing then my 7yo nephew.
I am a fully qualified sound engineer. I go on at my wife NOT to wear in ear earplugs so much because they cause hearing problems in later life. This is because of the artificial environment they create inside your ear canal to give the impression and intensity of loud music, but at the same time your hearing is taking a real bashing. The BBC did an interesting study on this and found that the iPod generation will likely have 40-60% hearing damage by the end of their working life's!!!
If you wear earplugs headphones to block out wind noise (or a machine, whatever) all you are doing is masking the sound. In real terms, you are adding more of another, more pleasing sound, to combat the displeasing sound. You are not dealing with the issue.
I would consider a quieter helmet and maybe some high end custom ear plugs? Maybe even a touring screen... But you have to address the issue, not cover it with more noise. You will only make your situation worse.
Trust me on this, I have been working in some VERY loud environments (live music, jet engines, gun shots, trackside, skydiving, motorcycling...) for a long time. I have looked after my hearing from day one and at 33, I still have better hearing then my 7yo nephew.
Not quite sure what to do with my early mid-life crisis. Ideas on a post card to P.O.BOX 150...