Best Wind Noise Protection for Tinnitus Sufferers?

[JohanR]

Hi all,

I hope you're all doing well.

I wanted to share my experience with tinnitus and seek your advice. About three years ago, I developed pretty loud tinnitus due to noise exposure from attending too many concerts. Since then, I've had a high-frequency ringing in both ears. Two years ago, I started experiencing a low-frequency hum while on a snowboarding trip. Despite using earplugs while riding, I believe it was caused by the high wind noise or vibrations from the board and ice. This hum has persisted ever since.

The journey hasn't been easy, and I've had to step back from activities like mountain biking and sailing to avoid causing further damage. However, I'm eager to get back to sailing and boating.

I need your help and wonder if you have any recommendations for effective wind noise protection?

Appearance or pricing does not matter—my goal is to find something that significantly reduces the noise, even if it means I can't communicate with others while using it. I recently tried the 3M Peltor X5 combined with earplugs, but the wind noise still seems quite loud in windy situations. Do you have any suggestions for hearing protection designed to reduce wind noise more effectively?

Thank you in advance for your help, and stay positive!

Best regards,
Johan

 

[kingsfan]

I think earmuffs will amplify the wind noise. Foam earplugs or solid custom molded earplugs (maybe ones used for swimming? I'm not sure) would be your best bet.

The only other thing I can think of is motorcycle helmets designed to reduce wind noise.

 

[trevl]

Consider using custom-made gel earplugs, which are specifically fitted to your ear canal. I personally use sleep plugs from GM Australia. These reduce external noise by up to 40 dB and cost around $150 AUD.

Wind noise, which is a low-frequency sound, is particularly difficult to block as it can pass through almost anything. Unfortunately, this issue is not discussed enough. Wind noise can easily exceed 70 dB during activities like cycling, skiing, or sailing, so it is essential to wear proper ear protection in these situations.