Hearing Damage

[MrBee]

At this years International Rally, someone was speaking about Hearing Damage. I could not be there. Can anyone summarize this presentation or highlight important points? I am most concerned about white noise at highway speeds resulting in hearing loss.

Regards,
MrBee

[robsryder]

There are several articles / sources of info on hearing loss associated with motorcycles. Some links are provided below:

http://www.freehearingtest.com/hia_motorcyclefacts.shtml

http://hope4hearing.org/motorcycle.htm

http://www.msgroup.org/TIP150.html

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/helmet-noise.htm

http://news.ufl.edu/2004/09/01/motorcycle-noise/

For myself, I always wear earplugs when I ride. I favor the flip-lid type of helmet and these helmets seem to be quite noisey.

Last year I had some custom molded earplugs made but I found that, while comfortable, these custom earplugs did not attenuate the "white" noise to my ears as well as the disposable soft foam type.

I typically purchase the foam earplugs in boxes of 200 (which makes the unit costs lower). A box will last a good while. I do re-use the foam earplugs until they appear dirty or stop blocking the noise.

I've used MSC as a source in the past. See:
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/N2DRVSH?SISHNO=1642832&SISRCH=1&SIS0NO=324595&SIT4NO=9869943

[Jamming]

HUH????????

Seriously, you WILL lose hearing without some protection. You can use disposable earplugs not too expensive, or you can spring for custom made earplugs. You can get earplugs with speakers for use with a radio/MP3/CD.
I dont ride without plugs if the ride is over 1 mile.
No matter your choice, wear them.

I have lost at least 20 percent of my hearing. I'm triple cursed however, 35 years on motorcycle's, 25 years on flightlines around airplanes, and I'm a pilot. When I started flying we hardly wore headsets. Same with motorcycles, never wore earplugs until the last 10 years or so. The damage is already done. I wear em mowing the lawn any any other hi noise enviroment.

Roger

[pmdave]

The culprit is wind noise. Wind noise is a low frequency "rumble" that happens to be very loud. It happens that helmets do not attenuate low frequency noise. A windshield that diverts the air over the helmet may reduce the noise, but a crosswind can still hit the helmet. Much of the wind noise you year is the air collapsing behind the helmet.

The problem is that we don't feel pain from low frequency noise as we do with a high frequency (say a circular saw or leaf blower) So, humans typically do not realize that hearing damage may be occuring.

Two symptoms of hearing damage are a "threshold shift" or "tinnitus". A threshold shift means you find it harder to hear after the noise exposure. (You can't hear the waitress at the restaurant unless she shouts at you.) Threshold shift has been measured in both racers and road riders. Tinnitus is a ringing or roaring you hear after the ride, say when you're trying to sleep. (you hear the ocean roar, but you're in Kansas, Toto)

One additional hazard is that noise contributes to fatigue. Noise can make you tired, irritable, and less aware of what's happening. You may experience mild headaches, or just a general feeling of frustration or anger at surrounding drivers. If it's not obvious, your ability to manage the bike and the risks is reduced.

Hearing "damage" is a result of too-loud noise actually breaking off the little hairs in the cochlea of the inner ear. (think of cylinder fins getting broken off by bending too far or too many times) Once those little "hairs" are broken, you lose transmission of the sound to the brain (in the frequency related to the position of the hairs) There is no such thing as "tough" cochlea hairs. Wind noise seems to damage hearing in the frequency range of consonants. Did he say "trucker" or uhhh...?

The amount of damage is related to noise level and duration of noise exposure. You can tolerate a very loud noise (say a cannon blast or jet engine) for a very short period of time, or a modest noise (say the interior of an automobile or a TV in the living room) for a long period of time. Note that wind noise increases with airspeed.

In round numbers, helmet wind noise is about 98 dB(a) at 60 mph, and 105 dB(a) at 80 mph. Without hearing protection, the limits would be about 2 1/2 hrs at 60 mph, or 1 hr at 80 mph.

According to the experts, a plug with a rated NRR 30 (30 dB(a) attenuation)actually results in about 15 or 20 dB(a) reduction in real world results. So, wearing a NRR 30 plug would provide limits of something like 12 hrs at 60 mph, or maybe 8 hrs at 80 mph.

After researching one of the early articles on this subject for Motorcycle Consumer News, I'm pleased to see 20 years later that most BMW riders are putting in their plugs before the ride. If you're not wearing hearing protection, I would advise you to seriously consider it. It's not too late to help avoid additional damage.

pmdave

[bowhunter]

Great info! Thanks Dave!

[nhlkats]

One additional hazard is that noise contributes to fatigue. Noise can make you tired, irritable, and less aware of what's happening. You may experience mild headaches, or just a general feeling of frustration or anger at surrounding drivers. If it's not obvious, your ability to manage the bike and the risks is reduced.

Hearing "damage" is a result of too-loud noise actually breaking off the little hairs in the cochlea of the inner ear. (think of cylinder fins getting broken off by bending too far or too many times) Once those little "hairs" are broken, you lose transmission of the sound to the brain (in the frequency related to the position of the hairs) There is no such thing as "tough" cochlea hairs. Wind noise seems to damage hearing in the frequency range of consonants. Did he say "trucker" or uhhh...?
i have a question about this. I had the flu, recovered, week later i had an ear infection. after the ear infection went away, a week later came constant severe lightheadedness and fatigue. went to the Doc twice and was told that nothing was wrong, and it is common for "residual fluid to build up in the inner ear" after flu causing off balance/lightheaded feeling. These cases of lightheaded are now coming in waves. The first wave was strong, then it went away. So when it went away, I started riding again. Then the 2nd wave came, it was less strong. That lasted for a week, then went away. So I started riding again. Now the 3rd wave has just come, again, it is weaker than the previous ones. Anyone else had this before?

Now Im wondering if riding is aggrivating this problem? The Doc mentioned something about hair things in my inner ear being broken off and floating around in the fluid in the inner ear and sending false senses to the brain.

I wonder, could wearing ear plugs help? I do not ride when my head is not with me.

[Bobmws]

i have a question about this. I had the flu, recovered, week later i had an ear infection. after the ear infection went away, a week later came constant severe lightheadedness and fatigue. went to the Doc twice and was told that nothing was wrong, and it is common for "residual fluid to build up in the inner ear" after flu causing off balance/lightheaded feeling. These cases of lightheaded are now coming in waves. The first wave was strong, then it went away. So when it went away, I started riding again. Then the 2nd wave came, it was less strong. That lasted for a week, then went away. So I started riding again. Now the 3rd wave has just come, again, it is weaker than the previous ones. Anyone else had this before?

Now Im wondering if riding is aggrivating this problem? The Doc mentioned something about hair things in my inner ear being broken off and floating around in the fluid in the inner ear and sending false senses to the brain.

I wonder, could wearing ear plugs help? I do not ride when my head is not with me.

You would do well to see an ENT Dr. regarding this problem. This is not something to be answered or dealt with by internet opinions.

[MrBee]

Thank you pmdave.

nhlkats;

It is very possible that your condition is due to repeaded infections. We you have an infection in your ears, mounth, or nose, your tooth brush can carry the virius for weeks resulting in repeadted low level infections. Your symtoms seem very close to this problem. Suggest you desinfect or replace your tooth brush!

Best regards,
MrBee

[nhlkats]

You would do well to see an ENT Dr. regarding this problem. This is not something to be answered or dealt with by internet opinions.Already talked to them. They said they wont see me unless problems continue in equal severity or increased severity for a minimum of 4 weeks. Plus they said it is "common", and theres nothing they can do to make it go away, all they can do is extensive testing to locate the source. So I wait patiently.

nhlkats;
It is very possible that your condition is due to repeaded infections. We you have an infection in your ears, mounth, or nose, your tooth brush can carry the virius for weeks resulting in repeadted low level infections. Your symtoms seem very close to this problem. Suggest you desinfect or replace your tooth brush!Thanks for the suggestion! Never thought about that.

[pmdave]

I second the motion that you seek expert medical advice. Frankly, I'm a little surprised by the callous response of your doctors. Hearing is not something to be trifled with. If I had your symptoms, I'd be looking for a second opinion from a different hearing specialist.

It should be obvious that disease can damage the body as well as physical abuse (such as excessive noise). When you're hurting from one problem, it's probably wise to get that problem solved before adding other insults to the system. Even assuming you wear hearing protection, you might shorten your rides or ride at a slower speed.

Bear in mind that the inner ears also provide balance information to the brain. If damaged (or infected), the inner ears may be sending erroneous information--hence dizzyness. A problem can occur following an accident where the head is thrown around. Small particles in the inner ear get stirred up, and you get dizzy until they settle down. That also relates to your ability to balance the bike. Apparently, if the little particles don't settle out in more or less the same hollows, the dizzyness continues.

Doc flash gordon has written articles about this in his column for Motorcycle Consumer News. He has some techniques for getting the inner ear debris settled down. His web site is www.docflash.com. He practices in the Marin County area of California.

pmdave

[nhlkats]

good info. i appreciate your concern gentlemen, but please do not misunderstand me, i am aware and conscious of my health status. i am not taking this lightly.
as a matter of fact, today i even signed up with this crazy new fad...i think they call it "health insurance" or something.
i even consult my sister, a doctor, who btw just bought herself this /6. w0rd.

http://blumgart.com/images/R75-6%20front-left.JPG

[jmerlino]

Your sister has good taste. Sweet bike!

[bubbagazoo]

Very nice.

[ironMan]

HMMM a doctor and rides a Beemer. Is she single????