When considering that people have different head shapes, neck thicknesses, neck lengths, posture and different riding positions along with different wind dynamics from different bikes it is impossible to recommend a good helmet for a specific person. Unfortunately trial and error is the only way to truly find out.
I have known the occasional place that will let a person test ride a helmet.
On fullface helmets the noise seems to come from the bottom side and rear area of the helmet in my experience and from what I have read. My Shoei TZR is noisy (approx. $250 - $350). I even tried putting extra soft foam in it. My Aria Corsair V is quieter but not as quiet as I would like (List price ~ $1,200 - $1,300 in Canada, $650 out the door at Daytona Bike Week).
Arais are known for their excellent venting (open all the vents on my Corsair V and it almost feels like I have no helmet on) and Shoeis are known more for being quieter. Many reviews on-line do not list any Shoeis or Arais near the top of the list for quietness.
My Arai has a chin piece that can be pulled down which is supposed to do something good. For me it only seems to end up drawing bugs into my nose.
In the past one or 2 of the Sharks were rated great for low wind noise. Now-a-days price does not mean better in helmets for the most part. Helmets also can be purpose built like my Arai and some AGV's which are racing helmets. Noise is not their number 1 or 2 consideration. Racers wear ear plugs.
I know OP cannot wear earplugs, but for other's info:
I wear NRR 30 -33 soft earplugs most of the time and always when on the highway. I can hear my bike, a rider beside me speaking to me albeit they have to speak up when at a stop, I can hear kids, traffic and vehicles in town. I guess my hearing is still ok. Riding without some sort of hearing protection will damage a rider's hearing over time. That's a given. The thing is that hearing loss is something we do not notice until it is too late as it happens over time & one will not know they are lossing their hearing unless one gets regular annual hearing tests, say at their place of work like I do. The hearing test can even narrow it down to what potential sources of noise are causing the damage.
Getting a helmet that fits properly is of utmost importance. Arai for example makes helmets that are designed for 3 or 4 (memory) different shapes of heads. Arai's website has an excellent video on how to get your head size and explains sizing and proper fitting and selection. Most people wear a helmet that is 2 sizes too big! (A helmet needs to be sized via the crown of one's head, not by how it fits on the cheeks!).
Arai's "How to fit a helmet" video.
http://www.araiamericas.com/default.aspx?pageid=92
I have known the occasional place that will let a person test ride a helmet.
On fullface helmets the noise seems to come from the bottom side and rear area of the helmet in my experience and from what I have read. My Shoei TZR is noisy (approx. $250 - $350). I even tried putting extra soft foam in it. My Aria Corsair V is quieter but not as quiet as I would like (List price ~ $1,200 - $1,300 in Canada, $650 out the door at Daytona Bike Week).
Arais are known for their excellent venting (open all the vents on my Corsair V and it almost feels like I have no helmet on) and Shoeis are known more for being quieter. Many reviews on-line do not list any Shoeis or Arais near the top of the list for quietness.
My Arai has a chin piece that can be pulled down which is supposed to do something good. For me it only seems to end up drawing bugs into my nose.
In the past one or 2 of the Sharks were rated great for low wind noise. Now-a-days price does not mean better in helmets for the most part. Helmets also can be purpose built like my Arai and some AGV's which are racing helmets. Noise is not their number 1 or 2 consideration. Racers wear ear plugs.
I know OP cannot wear earplugs, but for other's info:
I wear NRR 30 -33 soft earplugs most of the time and always when on the highway. I can hear my bike, a rider beside me speaking to me albeit they have to speak up when at a stop, I can hear kids, traffic and vehicles in town. I guess my hearing is still ok. Riding without some sort of hearing protection will damage a rider's hearing over time. That's a given. The thing is that hearing loss is something we do not notice until it is too late as it happens over time & one will not know they are lossing their hearing unless one gets regular annual hearing tests, say at their place of work like I do. The hearing test can even narrow it down to what potential sources of noise are causing the damage.
Getting a helmet that fits properly is of utmost importance. Arai for example makes helmets that are designed for 3 or 4 (memory) different shapes of heads. Arai's website has an excellent video on how to get your head size and explains sizing and proper fitting and selection. Most people wear a helmet that is 2 sizes too big! (A helmet needs to be sized via the crown of one's head, not by how it fits on the cheeks!).
Arai's "How to fit a helmet" video.
http://www.araiamericas.com/default.aspx?pageid=92
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