One million motorcyclists urged to protect their ears while riding to avoid tinnitus
At 65mph hearing damage can occur in less than one minute
Motorcyclists have been urged to protect their hearing while riding as part of this month’s Motorcycle Safety Week.
Tinnitus UK says almost a million motorcyclists in the UK are putting themselves at risk of hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which can be permanent, by failing to protect their ears while riding.
According to the charity’s research, less than a third of motorcyclists (29 per cent) either use ear protection “regularly” or “sometimes” while riding.
As a result, Tinnitus UK says 994,000 British riders may be at risk of tinnitus, a condition that causes the perception of noise even when there is no external source. One in seven UK adults is currently affected by the condition, for which there is no known cure.
The charity says noise becomes a “risk to hearing health” at levels of 80 decibels (dB) or more. Riding noise levels combine engine, road and wind noise, and can therefore vary, but Tinnitus UK estimates they are generally around 85-95dB at speeds up to 35mph.
However, as speed increases, so too does the volume. At 65mph, Tinnitus UK estimates an average noise level of between 110 and 116dB. At such levels, hearing damage can occur in less than a minute.
With April 3-9 designated Motorcycle Safety Week in the UK, Tinnitus UK is urging drivers to think about protecting their hearing while on the road or at work.
Caroline Savage, the CEO of Tinnitus UK, said earplugs — which cost as little as £2.70 for a set of five pairs from Boots — would help reduce the risk for riders, and hoped using hearing protection would become as instinctive as wearing a helmet.
“Noise exposure is the single biggest preventable cause of tinnitus, and it is clear from our research that people appear to be unaware of the risks,” she said. “Even if you’re only hopping on your bike for a short trip, use hearing protection. When it’s loud, plug ’em.
“We want protecting your ears to be second nature, in the same way you put on a helmet before every ride. There should be no stigma around using ear plugs — we only have one pair of ears, and damage to our hearing is irreversible.”
Tinnitus is unique to each person who experiences it but Tinnitus UK says sufferers may hear ringing, buzzing, hissing, whistling or other noises when there is no external sound source. For some, the condition is permanent, while others may find the sound comes and goes, varying in volume between episodes.
The charity has already found research that links traffic noise in busy towns with increased risk of tinnitus, and now the organisation says riding a motorcycle without wearing hearing protection could be another risk factor.
Anyone affected by Tinnitus in any form can contact Tinnitus UK on the charity’s dedicated helpline or through the website.
Motorcycle Safety Week sees multiple safety initiatives come together at once, with emergency services and charities joining forces in a bid to improve safety. The scheme is run by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC).
While this year’s initiative focuses primarily on personal protective equipment and bike maintenance, the scheme still aims to reduce “risks and behaviours” that can lead to fatal bike crashes, as well as encouraging all forms of extra rider training.
According to begin-motorcycling.co.uk, bikers make up less than one per cent of all the traffic on UK roads, yet they account for around 20 per cent of all road deaths.
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