ow, my freaking ears!

[crash]

..to quote Todd Flanders.

i just bought a new HJC CL14 helmet to replace the huge can that came w/ my bike and it's killing my ears.  it's not an issue of wind noise, so much as air pressure.  if i go over 40mph, my ears start popping like crazy (like in an airplane).  i've tried raising the shield just a crack and that helps, but that seems like a bad solution to me.

help

[pantablo]

I wonder if the helmet fits right? Very, very snug fit all around with no pressure points anywhere, even after 1/2 hr of wearing it?

[Lerxst]

Whacky... I haven't had any problems with my CL-14.  I'm guessing, but it sounds like it's too tight.

[Black Snowman]

Or too loose and catching air. I had this problem after removing my windscreen for a while. Earplugs totally eliminated it and my replacement windscreen fixed it as well.

Edit: I've got a KBC Wolf BTW.

[Aerospike]

Have you tried equalizing the pressure like scubadivers?

[JamesG]

Maybe you should drill a hole in your head?
:lol:

Try closing the vents on it. If that works, it maybe too small and you are compressing the liner so much it forms a seal between you and the helmet foam which get de/pressurized by the vents.

[crash]

it's definitely not too loose.  if anything, it's a bit tight around the cheek area (i'm cheeky :mrgreen: ) . aside from the cheeks, it fits real snug all around, no hotspots.

also, the windscreen shouldn't leak, since the helmet is brand new.

i'm definitely not going to attempt equalizing pressure, simply because opening the visor and pinching my nose while going >40mph sounds like a bad idea to me... for that matter so does drilling a hole in my head  

[Aerospike]

[Casimir]

You can buy a product called "Earplanes" that are earplugs designed to help with the ear air pressure problems when flying. I don't know if they would help here, but worth a try.

[nl_carey]

You ears are likely popping due to a low pressure inside the helmet (scuba diving you only get the popping while ascending - going to a lower pressure). That probably means you aren't getting air inside the helmet, and at high speeds air is getting sucked out, making a low pressure area in the helmet. Try opening all the vents, and perhaps the visor a crack and see what happens.
It may also be related to sinus problems - have you had a cold recently? Try something like sudafed (I think you guys get that over there) or other sinus decongestant to see if that helps. This may also be related to pressure from the helmet lining on portions of your sinuses making your sinus at a higher pressure than ambient - maybe the helmet is too tight around your forehead or upper head?
The scuba diving equalisation is for the opposite of the problem you are experiencing here. Note that the popping isn't damaging anything, so don't be worried about that. But, it can be annoying, I must admit.

[crash]

hrm, that actually kind of makes sense.

this helmet DOES have 2 rear exhaust vents that i can't close, so they may be sucking air out of the helmet; and opening the visor a touch does make the proglem go away.

i guess i'll try opening all the front vents or blocking off the rear ones

thanks for the help