Hearing loss?

iCraig · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Jun 2004 Karma :

Well I don't know if anyone else has noticed since they started riding if there hearing has deteriorated.
But mine has drastically after only 4 years, and I am regularly saying what or pardon cos I never hear what people are saying to me, at the annoyance to some.

I hate to think what my hearing will be like when I am in my 50/60's, though I now use ear plugs.

Has anyone else noticed this or is it just me?

AcIdBuRnZ · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

Interesting. Need to research this one!

However, I've played guitar for 6 years, riding for just under 2 - so I think my hearing was pretty much on the way out before I jumped on a bike Laughing

Oh, and my eyesight has deterioted since working with computers. Think I can sue M$??? Laughing

EDIT: and I've always worn earplugs on my bike. But not around town.
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spitefuljack · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Karma :

I've always worn ear plugs for that very reason!

A couple of mates who have been riding 20+years are a bit mutton jeff, so it wouldnt suprise me.

MissFickle · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Karma :

Hmm im ok.. but my other half shouts.. and i swear its cos of the bike. He's especially bad if he's been out for a spin. Confused

MissFickle · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Karma :

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

Pardon.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

I did find earplugs helpful and used them lots, might have been something to do with working for the company who made those orange Max earplugs. Razz

Got myself some of the orange ones at first but found others which are better, and for those of you who can't 'borrow' them from work they're cheaper as well. Can dig out details if people are interested.

Never really bothered much with them on shorter journeys but did (about half the time) use them on long journeys.

Craggles · Traffic Copper Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I have 20/20 vision, according to the Optitian - and I spend quite alot of time on the computer (less now thou... since i got the bike acually Rolling Eyes

)

I have considered getting some earplugs... or at least the in-ear headphones, and listen to music regularly to just try and maintain my hearing, which isnt great as it is

Craig
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Zoombie · L Plate Warrior Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Karma :

Use earplugs or lose your hearing.

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

You know that feeling you get when you've got water stuck in your ear? Well, I can just breath in and sorta lock air in my ears so it blocks out a lot of noise, probably about 25% noise reduction.

No problems so far... Very Happy

Although I will invest in some ear plugs

Zoombie · L Plate Warrior Joined: 29 Nov 2004 Karma :

Are you a fish ?

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

well i DO keep fish.... Surprised

now that you put it that waay, I am feeling a bit dehydrated.....wheres some of ste's dehydrating water... Wink

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Yes bikes can certainly make you deaf. My fathers hearing is appalling and that is probably something to do with bikes, and my hearing is noticeable worse than it used to be.

Years ago PB (I think) did a test. With a rider on a CBR600 at 100mph on a fixed test track with a noise meter mounted in their ear, they tried a large range of crash helmets. The quietest was 105db, the noisiest was 120db.

I now use some of the molded ear plugs as I could not get on with the foam ones.

All the best

Keith
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Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

impaler · Crazy Courier Joined: 04 Sep 2004 Karma :

What is the general opinion on custom made ear plugs, are they up to much? I saw a couple of stands making them up at the NEC. I've had a fair bit of ear surgery so ordinary foam plugs are too small to stay in my ears Sad

I'd like to get some but it's a fair wodge to lay out if they're crap.
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dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

I got some custom made injected plugs from a bike meet. A bloke from an Audiology center (or something similar) came over took molds from a group of us.

They only cost about £15, I got a hard case with them and they were posted to my home address. I've found them to be very good and really comfortable, well worth the money in my opinion. Thumbs Up

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

I have had the custom ones for a bit over 2 years. They work well. The foam ones possibly work marginally better when they stay in place, but I found that it was rare that the foam ones stayed in place for any length of time.

Think mine were about £45 from Green Leopard. Toying with the idea of getting another set with some ear phone molded into them.

All the best

Keith
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John · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Apr 2003 Karma :

Yes.

Ever since I rode the AR home after the exhaust fell off ( Laughing

) I've had ringing in my ears. Thumbs Down

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MissFickle · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 Nov 2004 Karma :

tinitus thats called i think... maybe you should go to the doctors?

mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 May 2004 Karma :

I doubt I've been riding long enough for permanent damage, but I always notice that my hearing has temporarily deteriorated after a couple of hours on the bike on long trips. I get a vague roaring sound (just like the wind noise in fact) and just generally seem a bit deaf. The spongy ear plugs work after a fashion, but they are a pain to get in properly and never stay put.
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Claud 14.7 to 1 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2004 Karma :

If you're going ion the motorway (or high speeds, including Single carriageway), use earplugs 100% of the time.

Wind and high rpm aren't good for your ears.

If I'm just poodeling around town, there is not any real point IMO and better to have that bit extra of hearing ability for police sirens/people etc.

Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

Been riding full time for around 15 years (usually at least a few hours a day motorway), no hearing problems. Was riding for a year or two before that casually, and also spent alot of time working the door in assorted loud nightclubs, maybe I'm just lucky. Never really bothered with ear plugs, usually have earphones in place though.
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mrchips · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Karma :

My hearings got worse within the last year, never thought about a bike connection though, probably just can't be bothered listening to people.

jonboy · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :