Attn geezers!

[Fritzc]

Time for me to get a hearing aid. When I ride I always use earplugs. I know I can't wear both at the same time. I just wondered how others handled this aging event.
Thanks for any input.
:usa :bolt

[Manfred]

I ain't there yet, but why do you need a hearing aid when riding, if you would normally wear ear plugs? They would fight against one another.:bolt

[Bob_M]

Fritz :ear
Continue to wear ear plugs when you ride. Because your hearing is poor you have all that much more reason to protect it. Use your mirrors and be aware of your surroundings because you can’t depend on hearing to alert you of much. I have poor hearing and wear hearing aids, and I have never used a radio or an intercom when riding. When my wife rode with me (another story for another thread) we would communicate with taps and squeezes (or fist hammering) while riding, and when we stopped we would get caught up with our shared experiences.

I hope to pop for some new devices soon. They are small and expensive, so get into a routine of always putting them in the same safe place. Unlike readers, you can’t keep a pair in every room and replace them at the local drug store.

Time was that people were concerned about the stigma of wearing the devices, but now with BlueTooth hands free phones setting the new standard for dorky, hearing aids look almost cool. I have had in-the-ear devices for years. They get sweaty, the need frequent cleaning, and eventually need professional “dewaxing” Also, they plug the ear so the sound quality is off. It is annoying to get feedback when using the phone when wearing them

The new digital behind the ear devices put a speaker in the ear canal that does not block sound from entering your ear naturally. The sound quality is much better.

Be sitting down when they quote the price. The cost of these things is criminal. For $250 you can buy a telephone that is a computer that take pictures, takes video, connects to the internet and plays movies and TV (or so I’ve heard). A miniature amplifier that happens to be a medical necessity costs $5000. Where is the justice. Anyway, get the devices, hearing is a good thing, and when necessary you can always feign deafness. :gerg

[kgadley01]

Time for me to get a hearing aid. When I ride I always use earplugs. I know I can't wear both at the same time. I just wondered how others handled this aging event.
Thanks for any input.
:usa :bolt

You will most likely need to remove your hearing aid while riding. I don't need one but several of my friends do. They always remove them before riding. Also do you have a CB radio, mp3 player or intercom. You probably will not be able to use any of the devices with a hearing aid in. Hope this helps, I'm on the verge of being a Geezer...:laugh

[Fritzc]

You will most likely need to remove your hearing aid while riding. I don't need one but several of my friends do. They always remove them before riding. Also do you have a CB radio, mp3 player or intercom. You probably will not be able to use any of the devices with a hearing aid in. Hope this helps, I'm on the verge of being a Geezer...:laugh

Correct, I do not nor ever have used all the electronic gizmos. I knew I couldn't wear ear plugs and Hearing aids at same time but just wondered about a fool proof way of carrying and switching back and forth for gas stops, restaurants etc. I thought of wearing the case around my neck or something like that. It amazes me sometimes how some riders can take ten minutes to hook up all the wires, don the protective stuff, balaclavas, overpants, coats, gloves, helmet etc. then at the next stop repeat the chore. It's a bisch growing old.:bolt

[bpdougd]

... It amazes me sometimes how some riders can take ten minutes to hook up all the wires, don the protective stuff, balaclavas, overpants, coats, gloves, helmet etc. then at the next stop repeat the chore. It's a bisch growing old.:bolt

Patience, grasshopper, patience. Take comfort in the knowledge that you are pissing off all the folks around you. It is one of the few, true pleasures of geezerdom. :thumb

[bobh41]

It amazes me sometimes how some riders can take ten minutes to hook up all the wires, don the protective stuff, balaclavas, overpants, coats, gloves, helmet etc. then at the next stop repeat the chore. It's a bisch growing old

Yeh, it's a "bisch" alright - but think about being 95 years old and dreaming about the good ol' days when you spent ten minutes getting on and off the bike.

I agree that the time spent piling on ATGATT seems like time wasted, especially if your early experience is running out the door, jumping on that fine Norton, jumping on the kick starter a couple times, lighting it off then hauling ass - all action, all GO!

Very often when I push the starter button, then spend about 1-1/2 minutes zipping up, putting helmet and gloves on while it ticks over to warm up I think about "the hassle" then reflect on the "tickle" and kick-start days, with the occasional need to break out the tool set to get going.

Sure, it gets uncomfortably hot in 95-degree summer at the gas pump when you're wrestling with ATGATT, and I sure don't care for it, really, but it's the reality, man... you may be capable of riding without that stuff, but you CAN"T ride without it.

Just one old geezer feeling pretty good about being upright still.

[kbasa]

Talk with my doctor, Dr. flash gordon about this. He wears hearing aids and rides. If I recall, he takes the hearing aids out when he rides and replaces them with earplugs.

[JRussell]

Bob M has the current scoop. The new aids ARE $$$ and I keep mine in a hard case inside my saddlebags. They're too expensive to leave in a tank bag and too much hassle to take in and out during a brief stop so I wait until riding is over for the day.

[adamceckhardt]

What?????!!!!!

[37071]

Please take out your hearing aids when you ride. They will amplify wind noise that is already too loud. Without the hearing aids you may not notice the wind noise, but it is still damaging you ability to hear, just the same as when your hearing was good. Wearing ear plugs while riding is the way to go.:ear

[shire2000]

Or, how about use hearing aids that have a volume control. Turn them down or even off before putting on helmet. Wouldn't that do the same thing as wearing ear plugs?

I don't know. I don't wear hearing aids as my hearing loss cannot be fixed by them. Stone deaf in right ear at some frequencies and not at others. Plus the tinitus is always ringing............or is that the phone again. :ear

[Bob_M]

Or, how about use hearing aids that have a volume control. Turn them down or even off before putting on helmet. Wouldn't that do the same thing as wearing ear plugs?
:ear

Hearing aids are hard. Unlike ear plugs which are soft and conforming when the pressure of helmet padding is applied, hearing aids, even ones fitted by an audiologist, will be uncomfortable inside the helmet. Putting on the helmet could dislodge the hearing aid, or shift its fit, and that is unpleasant.

Modern digital hearing aids have limited volume control (at least the ones that are moderatly affordable). Even ones that can be turned off they have vents that allow sound in and allow the device to breath so the won't muffle sound as well as ear plugs.

Shrill whistling feedback is the bane of those who wear hearing aids. This happens when the microphone and speaker are enclosed (as in a helmet) My sister sometimes cups her hands over my ears in loving jest.

[Fritzc]

You have all been a big help!

[AKBeemer]

Consider this fully integrated helmet / hearing enhancement approach....

[roy]

Like Bob M said. The price for these contraptions is outrageous. Was quoted $5500 for a pair that will possibly get 80% of my hearing range back. I was given the option of a 60 day trial period. I have not started this yet since riding season is still a couple of months away. You may want to explore the same option so that you have some comfort in knowing that if they don't meet your needs you have options.

Yes, getting to geezer hood sucks but... it still beets tha alternative

Roy

[jsduncan]

As a long time hearing aid user and rider, I can attest to the problems. Don't try to use the devices while riding. Use plugs. I have tried turning them off and using them as plugs however; they don't play well in a helmet. They are pulled out when putting the helmet on and pulled out when taking it off. I put them into a baggie and than into an inside pocket. My hearing loss was caused by many years of motorcycle racing, long gun competition and aircraft engines. The worst combination possible!