Cycling UK Forum

Thanks for all the useful replies.

As it happens all my cycling mates with hearing aids have behind the ear NHS ones and they all do exactly the same - take them off when they get on their bikes in case they get dislodged while riding, and put them back in at cafe stops. Then they complain that they can't hear conversation in the cafe because the background noise is amplified so much! I know it's possible to get aids that work out where the conversation is coming from and amplify that and reduce background noise, but I don't know if NHS ones do this.

So I wondered if "in the ear" ones were more secure if anyone has experience of those?

And I wondered if these and the ones that reduce background noise would reduce the sound of vehicles coming up from behind. I do have a rear view mirror, but one of my regular right hand turns for example is on the busy A59 with cars and HGVs whizzing past at 60 mph, and I'm reluctant to rely on the mirror alone unless there's absolutely no traffic noise to be heard. Now I'm of a certain age and not as flexible or balanced as I used to be that means stopping on the left hand verge so I can look behind. Maybe I will just need to do more of this.

I've just been advised I need hearing aids. There is such a vast choice that any advice on what works well for cyclists would be most welcome.

I'm wondering whether they should be ones that fit behind the ear or in the ear, whether they cope with wind noise, whether you can still hear traffic approaching from behind, what shape works with a helmet and glasses and a Buff over the ears in winter, whether they get dislodged over potholes, etc. etc.

Sorry if this has all been discussed before, but I'm new to the Forum despite being a lifetime Cycling UK member.

Thanks,

Steve