Quiet down helmet with foam or tape or something?

Bringing this old thread up again... So Arai is the general consensus for the "quietest" helmet?

 I too worry about triggering my tinnitus when riding. It happened the last time I was out, even with ear plugs. So now i'm hesitant to ride again in my current helmet (6D)

I've tried a Moto 10, which seems equally as loud as the 6D, although not tested back to back.

Do I need an Arai or what is quietest these days?

I would think the quietest model is the one that seals to your head or ears the best.

Have you tried musician's earplugs? Supposedly some designs have an actual air path through them (Earasers?). I don't think mine do (Etymotic ER20XS are the best I've tried, for music). 

Or altitude earplugs (Earplanes)?

Have you asked your ENT, or just Dr. Vital?

Referring to the customer service Thread, this is something you should ask a professional behind a Parts counter. Unfortunately, Private equity companies hire minimum wage IPad babies as your point of education and lead you here. 

I wear hearing aids at age 38, have been since covid after masked folks made me realize I read lips all the time. During that time I wore the Fly Formula and was very impressed, but I think you would be surprised by the assistance a local family owned dealer (Not these Automotive owned douche bags) will work with you on offering a good experience in a potential $800 investment.

wish you the best, feel free to DM for more questions.

I think the overall construction is what makes it vary from helmet to helmet.

I use noise canceling ear buds. When I forget them, it’s noticeable. It does cause me to stay in a gear too long sometimes, but you’ll adapt.

Problem with talking to any dealer, even a mom and pop type shop, is you are needing specific results from actual wearing of multiple helmets back to back. Unless the individual behind the counter has personally worn all the helmets (incredibly doubtful) you are getting the same anecdotal responses there as you are here. I've been behind the parts counter in a shop before, and even then I would only wear the helmets we carried for quick spins around the block. So at the time I could tell someone about an Arai VX-Pro3, Shoei VFX, Fox, or HJC but that was it. I had no first hand knowledge of any other helmets that was based on my own experience.

As you are well aware, lots of factors play into it with the most important being the shell construction, ventilation (and where), ear pockets, liner cloth material, and fit.

For me personally, Arai is the quietest hands down. Couple of reasons from engineering standpoint as to why. #1, the shell. It's round. No ridges or edges to cause turbulence over the shell which is noise. #2, it's not a mips style of helmet, so the crush liner is tight to the shell which removes an air gap that can amplify noise. #3, the cheek pads have a minimal ear pocket and that pocket is lined with foam and cloth same as the rest of the pad and no venting channel around the ear.

Fly Formula was close (I had the OG way back when), but what killed it was the fit wasn't right for my head shape. The cheek pad cloth was so soft and supple that it made a huge difference, but then the helmet would rotate down on my head and the airflow ruined it. I've tried the Fly on recently (about a month ago) and the fit is still off for my head. Which is a bummer, I want to like that lid.

Bell Moto10 Spherical may be the worst. The ear pockets are wide open, and there is an air channel right next the eyeport that goes directly past your ear and that open pocket. Even my noise canceling Shure ear monitors can't make a dent in the noise that helmet makes at speed, so it's moto only with earplugs (Howard Leight NRR33 disposables). Frankly, I like the Moto9S Flex better than the 10-Spherical. Lighter and slightly quieter.

Klim helmets are also very loud, again, due to the venting. The Koroyd crush liner adds to it. Not as big of a deal when I'm snowmobiling with the added insulation liner, but too hot for that on the dirt bike.

Those are the helmets I've had on my head in the last 3 years while riding so I can't speak to anything else.

Yeah for sure dude, the parts guys are trying on all of the helmets and riding in them for a weekend so they can let you know which one is the quietest before selling it to you.

I have tinnitus and wear the same helmet. Riding my dirt bike is the only time I don't notice it.

You give me hope saying yours has gone away before.