Of the many types of motorcycle helmets, full-face helmets offer the most wind and noise protection in addition to being the safest helmet type in general. If you have a helmet with a visor, such as a modular helmet, put your visor down as riding with the visor up will create a lot of wind noise.

A half helmet or “skull bucket” will do little or nothing to protect your hearing. Similarly, ¾ open face helmets are only marginally better. Remember, it’s about wind deflection. Modular helmets are better than ¾ helmets in the closed riding position, but the jaw hinge still adds wind resistance and turbulence.