Hearing protection is not something that is often talked about when discussing motorcycle safety. When you consider that a motorcycle traveling at 35 mph makes the same amount of noise as a gas-powered lawn mower, it may make you realize why hearing protection while riding is so important.

We all know motorcycles can be noisy, but we may not realize how damaging such noise can be. What seems loud to one person may not seem loud to another, but research has determined that decibel levels as low as 85 will result in damage over an eight-hour period. As the decibel level increases, the exposure time needed to cause damage decreases.

A motorcycle traveling at over 35 mph produces noise levels equivalent to a running chainsaw or a pneumatic drill (100 – 116 decibels.) According to researchers, the noise of a running chainsaw or of a motorcycle moving at highway speeds can damage your hearing in as little as 15 minutes.

Helmets do not provide adequate hearing protection, necessitating the use of either foam or silicon ear plugs. Check the laws in your state to determine what you can legally wear to save your hearing.

The Metier Law Firm, LLC – Denver accident attorneys