When you’re choosing your exercise for a hot day in Sandy Springs, you probably lean towards activities that are a little cooling. For many, that means cycling.
Cycling is an aerobic exercise that will definitely make you sweat in the summer, but the addition of steady wind is like having a built-in fan. Unfortunately, as the breeze gets stronger, it can reach unsafe volumes, potentially leading to hearing loss or tinnitus.
Let’s look at how loud the wind can get and how you can block its noise for a breezy ride without hearing damage.
The Volume of Wind
A 2017 study examined wind noise exposure levels among cyclists. The study found that cycling at 10 mph could expose you to wind noise reaching 84.9 dB, and cycling at 60 mph could expose you to wind noise topping out at 120.3 dB.[1]
For reference, prolonged exposure to any noise at or above 85 dB, or short-term exposure to noises at 120 dB, can cause hearing damage.[2]
Wind Noise Reduction Measures
The cycling community has a few ways they reduce wind noise exposure, including:
- Cycling earplugs. Cycling earplugs soften wind noise but still alert you to traffic sounds—protecting your hearing and physical safety simultaneously.
- Helmet panels. Helmet panels redirect wind away from your ear canals. You can find panels to attach to your current helmet or buy a helmet with pre-installed wind panels.
- Foam. Foam works similarly to earplugs; it absorbs some of the wind’s force to reduce its volume. You can also find foam attachments for your helmet.
- Headbands. A specialty headband with noise-reducing ear covers is a comfortable way to lower your risk of hearing loss. A regular sweatband worn over the ears will also work in a pinch.
When you know your hearing isn’t at risk, you can enjoy every second of your cooling ride. For more information or to schedule a hearing test with one of our specialists, contact Advanced Hearing today.
[1] 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
[2] Cleveland Clinic. (2026, June 8). Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL): Symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21776-noise-induced-hearing-loss-nihl