My Sunday evening Why Question: Helmets and Noise Cancellation?

[robsryder]

The OP wondered about motorcycle helmets with speakers-in-helmet with active noise reduction (ANR). The military have ANR helmets for helicopter, other aviation, and other users.

Some have had good success using ANR earbuds with motorcycle helmets. I tried the Bose QC 20i units and found that they were not effective in adequately attenuating the noise (even sans music) when compared to my usual foam earplugs. I was riding an oilhead RS with a Parabellum windscreen. I have had good success with noise isolation-type earbuds. My favorites were the Eymotic ER6 units (now discontinued). I like less well the replacement hf5, mc5, mk5 units, but these are more effective for me than the Bose QC 20i units. Less costly, with adequate sound quality (to my ears) are the units from plugphones. [I found the less-expensive purple units most comfortable].

The Bose QC 20i and foam earplugs are the most comfortable and both are highly effective when tent camping in an area with relatively high background noise (e.g., similar to sawing of logs).

Links follow -

http://www.helmetsystems.com/alpha-helmets/alpha-anr
http://www.gibson-barnes.com/dept-293818/Active-Noise-Reduction.html
http://www.flighthelmet.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=FHL&Category_Code=ANR

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=...hones/quietcomfort_20/index.jsp&Variant=qc20i

http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/earphones/hf5.html
http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/earphones/mc5.html
http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/earphones/mk5.html
http://www.etymotic.com/consumer/headset-earphones/hf3.html

http://www.plugfones.com/shop/
http://www.plugfones.com/hearing-protection/motorcycle-earplugs/
http://www.plugfones.com/product/motorhead/
http://www.plugfones.com/product/plugfones-purple-earplug-headphones/

 

[gotfog]

Thanks for the links robsryder:

Interesting about your experience with the Bose.

I feel nothing will really surpass the pure ability of the Foam Plug, but the modified ear-buds look promising. I can understand why there seems to be some success with an internal speaker, like in Sena systems, while using Foam Plugs, adjusting and balancing speaker volume with ambient noise.

At work I use a Sennheiser headset, with ANR, and occasionally Foam Plugs beneath. I like the combination, but sometimes it reduces the ambient too much.

Again, thanks for the ideas.

John

 

[vtbob]

Thanks for the links robsryder:



I feel nothing will really surpass the pure ability of the Foam Plug, but the modified ear-buds look promising.


John

+1 on that. Maybe some day but not today

 

[robsryder]

A scientific study on motorcycle helmets and active noise reduction and an article related to this study can be accessed via the links below -

http://www.researchgate.net/publication/228481761_Motorcycle_Helmet_Noise_and_Active_Noise_Reduction
http://benthamopen.com/ABSTRACT/TOACOJ-4-14

http://www.insidescience.org/content/lowering-volume-motorcyclists/714


I corresponded with the AMA Legislative Affairs representative about the ban regarding use of earplugs while motorcycling in many states. Interestingly enough it is ok to be deaf and ride, but not ok to take steps to preserve one's hearing. I recall having found several other papers about use of earplugs and the impact on hearing emergency vehicles. Alas, the links are only effective for those having access through a university or other research subscriber. [Sadly, most scientific journals make it difficult for regular folks to access their contents. This bugs me a bit as much of this research is funded by tax dollars.]

 

[robsryder]

A paper on a topic related to use of earplugs on motorcycles is fatigue. I recall first hearing about use of earplugs from a feller that rode a lot of miles. He indicated that the brain is constantly trying to process the noise heard and leads to increased mental fatigue while riding. He was an advocate for use of earplugs to maintain mental sharpness moreso than avoid hearing loss. Following is a link to the paper on Motorcycle Rider Fatigue -

http://www.gillengineering.com/fatigue paper.htm

 

[robsryder]

following is a link to a pdf file with abstracts and papers regarding motorcycle operation and hearing loss and use of hearing protection on a motorcycle -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a95e40l22vyrzzm/Ohio Revised Code - earplugs.pdf?dl=0

 

[174713]

A paper on a topic related to use of earplugs on motorcycles is fatigue. I recall first hearing about use of earplugs from a feller that rode a lot of miles. He indicated that the brain is constantly trying to process the noise heard and leads to increased mental fatigue while riding. He was an advocate for use of earplugs to maintain mental sharpness moreso than avoid hearing loss. Following is a link to the paper on Motorcycle Rider Fatigue -

http://www.gillengineering.com/fatigue paper.htm

I use these to avoid the fatigue problem:

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-RPH...1&keywords=panasonic+noise+cancelling+earbuds

 

[Omega Man]

Please see: http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/State-Laws.aspx

Neat link
OM

 

[gotfog]

I found this while wandering in ADVrider Vendors:
http://www.quietridehelmets.com/

This Is what I had in mind. I know zero about the product but all the elements are there. Also, no real mention or data on the helmet itself.

I too agree about the fatigue reduction and improved concentration over longer periods with plugs and ANR.

Thanks for all the info

John

 

[gotfog]

http://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/sena-smart-helmet-incorporates-noise-cancelling-technology

Getting closer to reality. It holds promise. We shall see....

 

[henzilla]

http://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/sena-smart-helmet-incorporates-noise-cancelling-technology

Getting closer to reality. It holds promise. We shall see....

SENA! Will be intersting to read more about the helmet itself. I can't let H see that carbon fiber ...she likes it like like some women like shoes!

 

[mika]

Sena Launches World’s First Intelligent Noise-Control (INC™) Helmet At 2015 AIMExpohttps://motorsportsnewswire.wordpre...e-control-inc-helmet-at-2015-aimexpo-1015156/
ORLANDO, FL – October 15, 2015 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Sena Technologies, Inc., a Bluetooth innovator in the motorcycle and outdoor actives market, debuted today the world’s first Intelligent Noise-Control (INC™) helmet EXCLUSIVELY to the media, dealers and trade members at the 2015 American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) in Orlando. Sena Intelligent Noise-Control Helmet AIMExpo has
1 motorsportsnewswire / by Motor Sports News... /

 

[motodan]

Possibly, especially for average aged BMW rider, satisfactory audio acuity cannot be achieved in a rider's environment...leading to limited demand.

 

[KenDittrick]

Anyone see SENA's New Smart Helmet at AIM Expo 2015?

Wondering if anyone was at AIM Expo and and had a look at the new Sena new helmet with digital noise cancelling technology at AIM Expo? It would be fantastic if a member could test one of these when available (release date fall 2016) reviewed here by Motorcyclist Mag: http://mtrcycl.st/y09qpc

Sena is very popular here so the addition an integrated helmet suite would be quite popular to compete with the high end German Schuberth brand. Noise cancelling tech would be fantastic if done well. Sena has partnered with Bell in the past to put pair their products with helmets, however a unique Sena helmet head shape fit would be interesting to know since every head is unique as well.

 

[arthurdent]

Technical challenges aside, with the increase in capability of signal processing, one might think that a well designed chip could handle the varying nature of sound better than previous generations of such devices.

 

[gotfog]

It's wonderful to see the advance in technology and the on going evolution. It's exciting to consider where we end with this. Fully integrated bike/helmet /rider/environment connection. Data being transmitted between the components and presented within helmet/faceshield. All while protecting rider; impact, noise, collision avoidance, and systems monitoring. So cool. Look at the phone in our hands, and imagine that capability applied to the bike/rider combination. If Steve Jobs was riding now, what helmet would he make? So exciting, the future. Consider all the advancement displayed in the S1000XR, and project that further. Really exciting times ahead, my humble opinion.