Earplugs for wind noise?

Hello! I'm Jela, F, 48, from Blythewood, SC. I'm new here and I'd like to ask a question for all the cyclists here.

I was recently diagnosed with hyperacusis(hearing sensitivity) after a month of recovering from covid-19(not the best experience by the way). I was really excited to go out and go ride around for a bit but I just can't take it when the wind hits my ears so I went to an ear specialist and got diagnosed with hyperacusis. I just can't explain it how it feels but it's just terrible. I work from home so I can stay all day at home without causing my ears some discomfort but whenever I go out...it's a different story.

What do you guys think should I wear? Should I use Cat-Ears? a beanie? foam earplugs? maybe a pair of custom filtered earplugs to make sure I can still hear my environment?

 

I use half a piece of tissue in my ears at times to ease the sensitivity to the cold. Might try that. Blocks plenty of wind noise and cold air getting in. Also leaves a little ability to hear things around a rider. I don't want to be totally deaf while riding.

Another thing is, since covid, I have been wearing a gator type mask. I really got used to it wearing on every ride. So used to it that I had a hard time doing without till the temps got up in the high 80's. I use it to cover my nose and ears. At times riding solo, I would drop the nose mouth cover down but keep my ears covered. Felt so comfy and protected. Maybe give the gator mask a try. I got one at Smart and Final grocery type store for around $5. Also all over the net at good prices. Mine is fairly thin so if needed, double over for more protection.

I have sensitive ears but to cold. But protection is protection and killing 2 birds with one stone. Covid and ear protection.

 

Thanks Mr. Beanz! Yeah I might try that for a bit this coming weekend. I just hope it works for me.

I did my research earlier and found that there's a custom earplugs manufacturer near me called Big Ear.

They do home service and all but a pair of their filtered earplugs cost a lot more that a piece of tissue. LOL! I might check them out if ever the tissue and mask approach doesn't work. I tried foam earplugs earlier this morning because they are a lot cheaper than other earplugs but I can't really hear anything and I got scared that I might get hit by a car.

Will get back to you soon.

 

Didn't know the youtube link would be this big.

Sorry.

I can't remove it because I was told that what I was doing was spam-like. How is it spam-like when I'm trying to remove it?

By the way, thanks again!

 

Nice! I like to cover my ears but hope to have some sound around watching for cars as I ride often at night. I will look at the big ear when I get a little more time. Sounds interesting.

 

I couldn't find the price of the Big Ear plugs but seem similar on amazon for $25. No thanks, I'll stick with a piece of tissue or that napkin I have laying around in my truck.

I myself would be worried about not hearing traffic well enough.

Also, those little foam earplugs that are sold pretty much everywhere would do just as well as the custom Big Ear plugs. Get a tub of 50 on amazon for $12. But I don't even use those and I always had the op to get them free at work. Too restricting imo.