Cycling is a great way to stay fit while enjoying the crisp fall air in Dave Brubeck Park. When you think about safety while cycling, you likely picture wearing a helmet, following traffic rules and paying attention to visual and auditory signals. One factor you may not have considered is how cycling affects your hearing.
A study on noise exposure while cycling found that outdoor cyclists are often exposed to wind noise volumes ranging from 84.9 decibels at 10 mph to 120.3 decibels at 60 mph. The Centers for Disease Control defines the threshold for hearing loss as any noise above 70 decibels for a prolonged period or above 120 decibels immediately. While it may not feel loud at the time, wind noise can adversely affect your hearing health.
To prevent unnecessary damage to your hearing, take a look at our list of a few simple precautions for protecting your ears.
Wear Ear Protection
Wearing ear protection is one of the most effective safeguards against hearing loss. A couple of different options available include:
- Wind guards. Wind guards are specially designed hearing protection for cyclists. The guards provide a barrier against wind noise to reduce its impact on your ears. Wind guards can be combined with hearing aids to provide you with ear protection while still allowing you to remain aware of your surroundings.
- Sweatbands. Like wind guards, sweatbands reduce the impact of wind noise on your ears. Sweatbands can also help keep dirt and debris from entering the ear canal, further safeguarding you against damage.
Take Regular Hearing Tests
It takes the average person seven years to seek treatment for their hearing loss. One common reason people avoid treatment is because they feel their hearing loss is not severe enough to require intervention.
Hearing loss doesn’t always happen suddenly and obviously. It often progresses gradually and subtly. Because the symptoms may not be apparent initially, taking regular hearing tests is essential.
Scheduling a hearing test before you notice symptoms will give your provider a baseline hearing to determine when a loss has occurred. Identifying hearing loss early will help you take steps to protect your hearing and begin treatment far before the seven-year average.
By wearing ear protection and scheduling regular hearing tests, you can help ensure your long-term hearing health while still enjoying your daily or weekly rides. For more information on protecting your hearing health, contact Valley Audiology today
