Cycling is one of the best means of transport but also a way to stay fit, enjoy the outdoors, and explore your surroundings. But, if you’re an avid rider, you’ve probably experienced the annoying and sometimes painful wind noise that rushes into your ears at higher speeds. This wind can not only make your ride uncomfortable but also lead to hearing damage over time. So, how can you protect your ears while staying safe on the road? Read on for the top tips to eliminate wind noise in your ears while cycling!
Why You Should Protect Your Ears While Cycling ?
When cycling at speeds of 10-15 mph (16-24 kph) or more, wind starts rushing past your ears with considerable force, generating noise levels that can exceed 85 decibels—about the same as a hairdryer or vacuum cleaner. Sustained exposure to noise at this level can damage your hearing over time.
Wind noise increases as your speed rises due to basic aerodynamics. As you cycle faster, the wind resistance—or air drag—against your body grows. At higher speeds, the air is forced around your body at a rapid pace, creating turbulence and, as a result, that high-pitched, rushing noise in your ears. Even at moderate speeds of 15-20 mph (24-32 kph), the wind is moving fast enough to create a significant amount of noise as it rushes past the narrow openings of your ear canal. This turbulence is what makes cycling at higher speeds particularly noisy.
Additionally, in urban areas, you must deal with traffic noise—honking, sirens, and construction sounds. These loud and sudden noises, which can reach up to 120 decibels, can be overwhelming and very dangerous for your hearing.
Why You Shouldn’t Wear Earbuds While Cycling 🎧🚫
A common solution people turn to when combating wind noise is wearing earbuds or headphones. However, this is not only ineffective but also unsafe. Here’s why:
- Increasing Volume is Risky: When riding, cyclists often raise the volume of their music or podcasts to overpower wind or traffic noise. However, turning the volume too high can expose your ears to dangerously loud levels (often exceeding 90 decibels), leading to hearing loss and other hearing conditions like tinnitus.
- Loss of Situational Awareness: Using any type of earbud or headphone with loud music can block out essential environmental sounds like approaching vehicles, pedestrians, or emergency sirens—making them dangerous to wear while cycling.
💡Pro Tips : Noise-canceling earbuds like AirPods Pro or Bose QuietComfort might seem like a good solution. However, while they cancel out lower-frequency sounds (like the hum of traffic), they often emphasize wind noise due to their external microphones which makes them unusable in practice.
To keep both your ears and your life safe, it’s essential to explore better alternatives 👇
How to Protect Your Ears from the Wind While Cycling ? 🚴♂️
Now that we understand why wind noise happens and why wearing earbuds isn’t a safe solution, let’s explore the best ways to protect your ears from wind noise while riding.
Wind Protection Devices: Helmet accessories
One of the most effective ways to reduce wind noise is by using wind-blocking devices that attach to your helmet straps. These solutions work by disrupting the airflow around your ears, minimizing the noise caused by wind turbulence.
Please note that these devices don’t completely cancel out wind noise, but make it bearable and safe for your ears. They’re also easy to fit over your helmet, leaving your ears free to listen to the traffic or the little birds ! 🐥 Here are the best wind blocking devices :
- Wind-Blox: Wind-Blox are an excellent option for cyclists looking to reduce wind noise without sacrificing their awareness of traffic. They reduce wind noise by up to 80% while still allowing you to hear essential sounds like nearby cars.
Wind-Blox Pro Helmet Attachment
- Cat-Ears: Cat-Ears are designed to reduce wind noise by altering airflow around your ears. These attach to your helmet straps and offer a variety of sizes and models to suit different needs.
Cat-Ears AirStreamz Cycling Wind Noise Reducer
For those living in very windy areas or who suffer from noise sensitivity like hyperacusis, we recommend pairing these devices with earplugs (see section below) for added protection and confort 👍
Earplugs: Extra Protection for Very Happy Ears ! 👂😊
For cyclists with hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to noise) or those who ride in very windy areas, earplugs may be necessary to completely block out the overwhelming wind noise. However, we strongly recommend testing your earplugs before riding to ensure you can still hear surrounding traffic clearly enough to stay safe and avoid any potential dangers.
For cycling, there are three types of earplugs you can use:
A – Earplugs specifically designed to reduce wind noise while preserving other sounds: Commonly used by motorcyclists, these earplugs reduce the harsh wind noise but still allow you to hear traffic sounds like engines, keeping you safe on the road. The best-selling earplugs in this category are:
Alpine MotoSafe Pro Earplugs
These earplugs are specifically designed for reducing wind noise while allowing essential traffic sounds to pass through. They are soft, reusable, and provide a comfortable fit for long rides.
EarPeace Moto Earplugs
These earplugs provide wind of noise reduction and come with three different filters, allowing you to adjust the level of reduction for each of your rides.
Softvox Motorcycle Ear Plugs
These earplugs provide comfort and protection from wind and engine noise while maintaining the ability to hear essential traffic sounds.
However, if you suffer from hyperacusis, the remaining traffic noise not blocked by those earplugs may still be bothersome. In this case, we recommend considering one of the following options:
B – Foam earplugs: These earplugs have proven effective in a variety of situations—whether for sleeping, on a train or plane, or for studying. And the good news is, they work well for cycling too! Foam earplugs are affordable, comfortable, and can significantly reduce wind noise. The only drawback is that they may also block pleasant ambient sounds like birdsong or flowing water if you’re cycling in nature. Again, make sure you can still hear enough traffic noise to stay safe. If you want to find the perfect foam earplugs, please read our detail buying guide below :
C – Custom-molded earplugs: While this is a more expensive option, it’s a long-term solution for those who cycle frequently. Custom-molded earplugs are commonly used by musicians because they reduce harmful noise levels while still allowing you to hear other frequencies. They’ll help reduce wind noise, honking, and sirens, while still enabling you to hear enough to ensure your safety. These earplugs require an ear impression taken by an audiologist and take some time to be custom-made, but the comfort and protection they offer make them worth the investment.
Cycling Helmets with Ear Coverage
Some helmets come with built-in ear coverage or specific designs that reduce wind exposure without needing additional devices. You can opt for a city or mountain bike style model. These helmets are great for blocking wind noise while still allowing for adequate ventilation. The only disadvantage of these helmets is that they tend to be more expensive to buy and perhaps less comfortable for road cycling.
Fox Racing Dropframe Pro Mountain Bike Helmet
This helmet has an ear reinforcement that deflects the wind and therefore reduces the noise discomfort caused by it.
ILM Bike Helmet with Removable Visor & Earmuffs
This helmet is a multifunctional helmet with removable earmuffs to protect your ears form the wind noise
Smith Mainline Cycling Helmet
This helmet completely cover your ears and feature MIPS technology for optimum protection
BONUS : Earmuffs for Winter Riding: A Seasonal Solution ❄️
In the winter, when temperatures drop, earmuffs or thermal headbands can serve a dual purpose: keeping your ears warm and shielding them from wind noise. Here are the best winter solutions for ear protection:
- Earmuffs
Earmuffs are a simple yet effective way to keep your ears warm during cold rides. There are specific cycling earmuffs designed to fit snugly under or around your helmet. They provide warmth and reduce wind noise without completely blocking out traffic sounds. Look for thermal earmuffs that are slim enough to fit comfortably under a helmet without adding too much bulk.
Degrees Winter Ear Warmers
- Headbands
Thermal headbands are another excellent solution for cold weather. They wrap around your forehead and ears, keeping the wind out while providing warmth. Headbands are lightweight, easy to wear, and fit comfortably under most cycling helmets. Look for headbands made from moisture-wicking materials to help manage sweat while keeping your ears warm. They also allow good ventilation, so you won’t overheat.
Winter Fleece Ear Warmers Muffs
- Balaclavas 🥷
For more extreme winter conditions, a balaclava provides full-face coverage, including your ears, nose, and neck. Balaclavas are ideal for sub-freezing temperatures or very windy conditions. They fit under most helmets and offer maximum protection from wind chill. Some models feature breathable mesh panels around the mouth and nose to prevent fogging up your glasses or goggles.
ROCKBROS Balaclava Mask
- Skull Caps
Skull caps are thin, stretchy caps designed to fit snugly under your helmet while covering your ears and head. They offer a good balance of warmth and ventilation, keeping your head warm without overheating. Skull caps made from merino wool or thermal fabrics are especially effective in winter cycling. They can block wind noise and cold air while remaining lightweight and breathable.
ROCKBROS Skull Cap
This helmet completely cover your ears and feature MIPS technology for optimum protection
All of these winter solutions are designed to keep your ears warm, reduce wind noise, and allow you to enjoy your rides in cold weather. Choose the option that best suits your needs, whether you prefer lightweight headbands, full-coverage balaclavas, or snug earmuffs. Just make sure you stay warm without sacrificing your ability to hear traffic for safety!
Conclusion: Protect Your Ears and Stay Safe While Cycling 👂🚴♂️
Cycling is a great way to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors, but it exposes you to dangerous levels of wind and traffic noise. Fortunately, there are several ways to protect your ears without sacrificing safety or comfort. Whether you choose wind-blocking devices like Wind-Blox, specialized earplugs like Alpine MotoSafe Pro, or opt for helmets that provide more ear coverage, the key is finding a solution that works for you.
Remember, wearing earbuds or noise-canceling headphones can be dangerous, as they isolate you from essential environmental sounds, putting your safety and ears at risk. By taking the right steps to protect your ears from wind noise, you’ll enjoy a more comfortable ride while also preserving your hearing for the long term.
Happy cycling, and stay safe out there! 🚴♀️👂
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