The hearing capabilities of the bikers are affected mainly by the noise of the motorcycle helmet that it generates. Noise in the helmet is because of the wind turbulence and the vibrations created because of the move.

At high speed, the noise within the helmet can reach up to 115db. This noise is only of wind, excluding traffic noise. According to research, a noise level of more than 85 dB is harmful and can cause significant hearing issues. 

A fitting helmet will have a noise level below 85 decibels and is safe for the riders. Although some of the helmets are soundproof, not all of them are equal. You need to take some essential steps to reduce the noise of the helmet.

In this guide, we will discuss some very effective ways to make helmets quieter and make the ride enjoyable. 

Ways of Making a Helmet Quieter

1. Closing the Visor

A visor or face shield is an essential component of the helmet. The visor helps in protecting the rider’s face from the dirt and debris kicked by other vehicles.

Ensure that the material used in the construction of the visor is of premium quality and can withstand harsh conditions. Other than protecting your face from the dirt, it will also remarkably reduce helmet noise.

If you open the visor while riding, it may cause turbulence that will eventually create a lot of noise. Always close the face shield properly before riding. Moreover, some of the latest visors have fog-free technology that reduces the effect of humidity difference.

If you live in a colder environment, then such advanced visors are more critical.

2. Using a Fitting Helmet

An essential factor to consider while buying the right helmet is the fitting of the helmet. A fitted helmet is much quieter as compared to the loose one.

Helmets come in different sizes and shapes; always choose a helmet that is according to your size. The rider should do head measurements before selecting the correct size. 

Look for the helmet that is not only appealing but also comfortable. A properly fitting helmet reduces the amount of wind noise reaching your ear.

A loose helmet is noisy because it allows the air to pass through the neck because of the gaps. High noise not only affects hearing but also distracts the rider’s focus and vision.

3. Using Earplugs and Earmuffs

After having a perfectly fitted helmet, many riders still suffer from the wind noises during high speeds. Extra noise can be life-threatening and can cause severe accidents in a worse situation.

While riding at the average speed, it is essential to use earmuffs or earplugs to protect your ear. 

Continuous exposure of sound to more than 85 decibels can lead to permanent hearing issues. If you wear well-fitted earplugs, it will help protect your ear entirely as it will reduce the noise level by 15-53 decibels. For this reason, earplugs are designed to isolate harmful frequencies, which gives a pleasurable experience to the rider. 

Earmuffs and earplugs come in different sizes and shapes. Usually, they are made with rubber or silicon and provides you with airtight seals that eventually help in decreasing noise.

You can use either earplugs or earmuff, depending on your choice. The only advantage of an earplug is that it will not take any particular space in your helmet. 

If you are a regular rider, you should use both earplugs and earmuffs to minimize the chances of hearing loss. Make sure to regularly maintain the cleanliness of your earplugs; otherwise, bacteria may build up inside them. 

4. Using a Scarf

Wind noise reaches your ear through the lower part of your helmet, more precisely through the neck. So, fortunately, you can reduce the noise level by wearing a scarf around your neck.

For blocking the noise, you need to wear the scarf so that it touches the bottom of the helmet and there is no gap between your helmet and scarf. 

The most significant advantage of using a scarf is that it is very cheap and comes in different sizes and shapes. Furthermore, you can pair up a scarf with the balaclava to enhance its effectiveness.

Although this way of making your helmet quieter is relatively cheap it is surprisingly effective. 

5. Use a Noise Cancellation system

A noise cancellation system is a new technology that isn’t installed in all helmets.

This system works by neutralizing the sound frequency by using headsets or Bluetooth system.

Helmets with noise cancellation system come with other unique features that include a breathing guard, fiberglass shell, advanced ventilator, etc.  

6. Using a Balaclava

Make sure to choose the balaclava that fits perfectly and is stretchable. Also, notice that it is long enough to cover your jacket’s collar line, as it will protect you from a cold environment.  

The best balaclava is the one that comes with a breath deflector, as it reduces the chances of fogging on your googles.

Balaclava helps protect you from adverse weather conditions, and it keeps your head, neck, and face warm. Also, it restricts the movement of air that will result in a quieter motorcycle helmet.

7. Using a Windscreen

The windscreen plays an essential role in protecting you from the wind as it acts as a barrier between the rider and the wind.

One of the significant issues that rider face is helmet buffering- that is basically irregular vibrations which are very disturbing. A windscreen is the best remedy for buffering, ensuring that the windshield matches the rider’s height. 

Besides protecting the rider from the wind, the windscreen also acts as a shield from rain, debris, and severe weather conditions. All these factors together combine to reduce noise. 

Adjusting the windscreen is another essential step to do. Make sure to change the windshield to above your head as it helps deflect the wind and remove all the pressure from the chest. 

8. Using a Chin Curtain

Another pathway of wind reaching the rider’s ear is through the chin space. A prolonged ride can hurt the ears through the continuous reach of the noise. Here comes the use of a chin curtain.

A chin curtain helps in improving the airflow as it enhances the aerodynamics capacities. 

You can quickly install the chin curtain within minutes as the helmet usually has holes in it for the chin curtain. It also comes with a strip of Velcro that makes it convenient to use.

Chin curtain not only helps in improving the airflow but also makes the helmet quiet. This may not help in ultimately reducing the noise level, but it indeed plays a sound role in noise reduction at higher speeds.

When properly installed, it creates more space around the chin bar, allowing you to breathe easily. 

9. Design of the Helmet

The shape and overall design of the helmet play an important role. All you want is a helmet with the least aerodynamic drag, as it will result in a quiet motorcycle helmet. The drag, in this case, means that air resistance should be in the opposite direction to the motorcycle motion.

The helmet’s pointed front shape helps improve the aerodynamics that will overcome drag forces and help reduce the noise. 

If the helmet is not adequately designed or has any protrusions, it may cause turbulence, generating noise. So, make sure always to have a helmet that minimizes the wind resistance and reduces the wind noise even at high speeds.

10. Covering the Helmet Earholes

Another helpful way to make your helmet quieter is by covering the earholes of the helmet. The best way to do this is to fill the earholes with foam as it will minimize the chances of sound reaching into your ears. You can do this by chopping the memory foam according to the size of your ear pocket and then stuffing the foam correctly.

After this, press the foam gently with your hand to give it a perfect fit leaving no place for the wind to enter. The most significant advantage of earholes is that they are easy to wear, comfortable, and have a custom fit. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article was helpful for you in making your motorcycle helmet quieter. A rider must know how to reduce the noise as this is important for his health and safety.

A constant noise reaching the ear can not only make the ride uncomfortable but also increases the risk of accidents.

Make sure to buy a high-quality helmet and then follows these basic steps to minimize the noise of traffic or wind. All the methods discussed in this article are safe and provides you a smoother ride.