Health Update: Bikers beware

Monday 12 October 1992 23:02 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

MOTORCYCLISTS run a high risk of damaging their hearing, according to researchers from Plymouth General Hospital. They examined 106 motorcyclists - including police officers, ordinary amateur riders and professional grand-prix racers - who had been riding for 10 years and had no previous history of ear disease. Comparison with a control group indicated that 46 per cent had suffered hearing loss consistent with noise damage.

The culprit is not the noise of the bike itself, but low frequency noise caused by turbulent airflow around the helmet, the authors point out. Earplugs are not always effective since crash helmets can impair their performance. Some form of hearing protection should be included in helmet design, they argue in The Lancet.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Health Update: Bikers beware

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering