Motorcycling and Hearing Loss?

 As soon as I started riding, I noticed a threshold shift after riding
(indicating that the loudness was too much and would eventually lead to
hearing loss).

After experimenting with a couple things, I finally settled on using
standard foam earplugs while riding, good for about 30dB of reduction.

The plugs are comfortable, but I do feel I've lost a bit of situational
awareness because I can't always hear traffic coming up on me.

Any suggestions for motorcycling and the hearing protection thing?

--
David T. Ashley              (dta@e3ft.com)
http://www.e3ft.com           (Consulting Home Page)
http://www.dtashley.com       (Personal Home Page)
http://gpl.e3ft.com           (GPL Publications and Projects)

 David T. Ashley wrote:


"WHAT?"


As they are supposed to do. I wear those yellow rubbery things that look
like little trees. They last an awful lot longer than the foam ones, and
cost about $2 a pair at your local Home Despot/Lowes store. They have
sets with a cord between for a buck more. I get the $2 set, and cut half
the stem off with sharp scissors. Wash them periodically.


You'll get used to it. But twenty years from now, you will be able to
hear your grandkids when they talk to you.


Discussed here often. Don't leave home without them in your ears.

--
   -bts
   -Militant Agnostic; I don't know, and you don't either

 
When I first started riding, I was unaware of the hearing loss possibility.

However, after the first couple times riding, I noticed that:

a)Things didn't sound as loud for several hours afterward (temporary
threshold shift).

b)There was occasional ringing in my ears.

Then I decided to wear plugs.

Temporary threshold shift is discussed here:

http://www.hei.org/news/facts/nihlfact.htm

and I've included an excerpt.

Generally, temporary threshold shift is a sign that you're doing something
too loud and that you ought not to do that too many times.

<BEGIN EXCERPT>
Sometimes short duration exposure to sound may only cause temporary hearing
loss. Temporary hearing loss is called a temporary threshold shift. This
means that if a sound was first heard at some level of intensity, after
over-exposure to loud sounds, that same sound would need to be louder in
order to be heard. A temporary threshold shift usually disappears within
14-16 hours after over-exposure to loud sound. Cumulative over-exposure to
loud sounds will eventually result in a "permanent threshold shift," e.g. a
permanent hearing loss.
<END EXCERPT>

Dave.

 David T. Ashley wrote:

I dunno, I think the pipe hole is behind you and the noise shouldn't
be too loud unless you have some honkingly loud cut off pipes.
Me, I just prefer my giant electric dynamo sound on the
ZRX1200. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

--
Wolfie

 

Well, it' snot a matter of the loudness of the exhaust‹I ride a BMW that
sounds like a loud sewing machine: mengennymengennymengennymengenny.
The noise that causes hearing damage comes from wind rushing around the
helmet.

--
Timberwoof <me at timberwoof dot com>
faq:  http://www.timberwoof.com/motorcycle/faq.shtml
Ten Steps to Fascism: http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2064157,00.html