Hindsight does tend to be 20/20...

My commute is about 10-15 minutes, so I don't have much concern. However, on longer trips I've become convinced that its worth looking into a higher quality helmet in general. So maybe I will take noise into account on my next purchase.

I don't believe the study. I'll admit I've ridden with and without a helmet. The wind noise was a zillion times louder without a helmet than with one. The engine noise wasn't a problem, I couldn't hear it over the wind roar.

top of the line Arais and Shoei's are "race" helmets w/ lots of vents and ports, those equal noise.

I do take my ears into consideration with helmet choice. If it's too small, it makes my ears hurt.

Now, I also consider my hearing when researching a new helmet. But, regardless, I always wear ear protection when riding. The good Lord only gave me one set, and I don't want to ruin them. My mother is severely hearing-impaired, and it's really difficult living with a hearing-impaired person. As an added benefit, wearing ear plugs reduces the wind noise, and reduces fatigue due to wind noise.

Earplugs. Even if I'm just going down the street.

I considered the noise level when purchasing my helmet. In addition I wear ear plugs, regardless of distance. I spent some money on custom made ones so they are much more comfortable and get worn versus a cheap foam pair that I'd never wear.

I dont have haring loss but I always wear earplugs under my lid.

I almost always wear earplugs.

I often wear earplugs, or at least one ear plug and one ear bud since I like to listen to music while riding. I wear the earplug on the exhaust side and the ear bud on the other side.

Recently I discovered I wasn't wearing earplugs properly. Someone posted this video on another forum and it taught me how to properly put an earplug in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPNPZ...layer_embedded