I'm seeing an ENT doctor soon about my hearing loss, which has gotten suddenly markedly worse in the last several days. I'm sure there are other contributing factors aside from loud cars, but I figure they can't be helping. Will be remembering earplugs while in the car this weekend. Something for folks to consider if they don't already wear them. Don't take your hearing for granted.

r2x ~ who is getting really tired of the newly aquired ringing in her left ear.

 

I've had a very mild case of tinnitus since high school. Not enough to keep me awake or notice under normal conditions. I always bring earplugs to concerts, race tracks, and any other loud areas. I don't really give a rat's *** what other people think, because in 20 years, I'll still be able to hear the roaches scurrying across my kitchen floor.

Warren

 

new muffler for the yellow jacket me otter?

 

Real sorry to read this Diane. If you would ask (or if you know already) what is the best type of plug to protect against damage, I would be very interested. I began wearing the earpiece molds for my radios even when not using the radio but was curious whether the foam type vs. the molded plastic/rubber type was preferred.

Thanks and best of luck.

 

Adam - I don't know what the "best" to use is. I have some of the squishy foam ones I've seen others use. Give like a 25 db reduction. I'm certainly open to suggestions from anyone who knows something about hearing protection.

Someone educate us please?

Will - Nothing new for the yellow car, but it's definitely louder than the black one.

 

The foam "squishy" ones are not that effective....

I'm interested in learning more. I've got the same symptoms... can someone please edumacate us? Is there a better product out there?

Greg - who has a deafening "vibration sound" @ 6500 rmp

**Edit**
Diane - ask the doc what he recommends. I think it has more to do with frequency as opposed to decible level...


[Modified by bulldog_RS20, 7:31 PM 9/17/2002]

 

I think the foam ones tend to provide a little better protection than the rubber ridged ones, although the latter seems easier to use.

The CDC has done research on many different brands and styles if you're interested in finding the "Best".

A direct link is here</A> or the general page is <A HREF="http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/noise/noisepga.html" TARGET="_blank">here

It's hard to read on the screen so I think I'm going to print it out and take a look.

[edit] I just realized that this study is from 1994. I'm not sure how relevant it would still be.


[Modified by JeffS, 2:36 PM 9/17/2002]

 

I will get Bef to add her input later tonight - she's a 2nd year grad student in audiology.

Foam plugs are good for 25-30db reduction when used properly - many folks don't put them in right. Roll, press and hold 'til they expand back out. Takes them a bit to fully expand.

Racers and track workers who see more than the occasional track weekend should probably look into custom ear molds. Slightly higher attenuation, and they're made *for you*, so the fit is better than foam. Various levels are available.

More info later once Bef reads this...

 

Definitely invest in some custom earplugs if you're racing motor vehicles on a regular basis. I race motorcycles occasionally, and I'm sure cars are just as loud, if not more so (outside in the breeze vs. inside a fairly resonant metal enclosure). The foam ones have been serving me well so far...

You won't regret missing the tinnitus and hearing loss, that's for sure

 

some cars are extremely loud interior wise, and quieter on teh outside. Its just one of those thing. I have hearing problems because of all the trap and sporting clays I shoot. I only started wearing hearing protection last year and i am slowly getting better.

You can pick up simple foam plugs that are like $0.99 at anything like Gander Mountain or any other hunting store. They go totally in your ear and will fit in a helmet very easy. Come out simple and you can resuse them although i just chuck mine after every shoot. havnt had to wear them in teh car as of yet, maybe on teh next highway trip i will. My car is fairly loud when the interior is out.

 

An old friend of mine was a musician, he had some of the ridged type I believe. He claimed the ones he got at the music store were much better than the foam ones in reducing Db levels without reducing clarity of sound. YMMV.

 

I went to an audiologist.. and had custom earplug's made..
I have a choice of having -25dB or -15dB attenuation

I use the -25 dB diaphrams for when I'm at the race track, club, concert, etc

I used the -15dB when I played in a band.
The plug's I got were musicians plugs.. so they allowed some frequencies to pass through.. (so not everything would be muffled)

the best and cheapest thing to do is get a box of those foamy ones.. they have like -30dB

I think a closed face helmet provides about 5 - 10 dB of protection


[Modified by Crazydave, 12:41 PM 9/17/2002]

 

Musicians wear custom ear plugs, not only because they fit better, but because you can get a more constant reduction of all frequencies, which results in a better representation of the real sounds.

For our purposes, the foamy earplugs do a great job. We don't care if we filter more in the low or high end, as long as you reduce it about 25-30 db.

Warren

 

The foam plugs are better than nothing, and nothing is what I used for YEARS while playing drums. Stupid me, as I now have a very slight, but permanant ringing-thing going on. Amazingly, after I started using those foam things in college (25 percussionists make A LOT of noise) I could certainly tell a difference in hearing immediately after practice.

As I recall Diane, that Miata is floud, and whatever Ron put on there just doesn't do very much. Even if it hurts performance, I'd consider putting a "real" muffler on there. Hearing isn't something to f#$k around with.

 

After my first HPDE at Summit Point, my ears were ringing for two days. They actually hurt when my instructor was yelling over the engine noise to instruct me. Now I wear the foam kind every session, and it makes so much difference, and it's so worth it. If someone were to make fun of me for wearing hearing protection, they can kiss my ***. Now, no more ringing.

 

I used to wear these during my time on the shop floor. Cheap, reuseable, and effective. The red ones fit better.
Good luck Diane. IM me and I can mail you samples if you'd like.

 

Unless you're standing next to a jet airplane, ANY sort of plug will help. I didn't give a damn what others thought when I'd stuff tp wads in my ears at bars/clubs/concerts in college, still do. I can still hear you now while others are always saying "huh"

 

Bef posting here under Splat.
Diane-continue to see that ENT. Make sure you see the audiologist as well. ENTs are great, however audiologists focus more on the ear. I also want to ask if there were any other symptoms besides the tinnitus (ringing) and the hearing loss. What does the ringing sound like? Email me.

okay, people...Keyword for the night is EARPLUGS. Anything is better than nothing. Depending on what you are doing determines the earplug you need to use. People doing dynos NEED to invest in a low power hearing aid. Scary huh. But there are some out there that will give you the protection you need from the loud noise while still help you hear the things you need to hear.

Any person racing needs to wear some kind of ear protection. Make sure the ear plug is firmly in your ear canal and comfortable. For those who want to invest, I would recommend musican's ear plugs. They allow for more sounds to pass through at an intensity that won't kill your ears. Remember that one loud blast can destroy your hearing. I can go into detail if you want more info.
Any other questions please feel free to email me at any time.

bethbernhardt@nc.rr.com


[Modified by Splat, 8:18 PM 9/17/2002]

 

funny this came up. I noticed I was about the only person at LMS wearing earplugs. I buy the foam ones in bulk at the farm store for next to nothing. I also have a set of the rubber ridged ones from when I used to shoot and I'd say the foam ones block more sound.

Hope you make a quick recovery Diane!!!

Joel

 

BTW - If you ever find yourself at a ECHC weekend w/o plugs, come by. I usually have a big bag full.

Warren

 

warren i will take you up on that....

 

Diane - I noticed that you had a head cold/sinus infection thing going on lately. Hopefully the ringing is just a minor, temporary inner ear infection. Any dizziness?

on the ear protection discussion. My neighbors look at me weird when I use my earmuffs when using the lawnmower and gas blower. I keep *meaning* to bring them with me to the track. I am also a habitual earplug user on airplanes -- I always seem to sit next to the damn engine.

 

Pat here, posting as well, Splat.

Warren - advertise that fact. I wish I had known that the other weekend at Lowe's - could have used them

Mike - ***** the neighbors. I took my shooting muffs to the Expo with me, and was damn glad I did. Something about being 10 yards from track with Buttcoin running open header made me think it was a good idea

 

The earmuffs have made my lawn mowing experience *much* better. Good call Mike.

 

That's what I thought initially, but when decongestants/antihistamines didn't change the symptoms at all, and it lasted 3 days with no change, I thought I'd better see the Dr. He said he saw no signs of infection, and no blockages (like wax). So my ears "look" great. I just seem to have lost some hearing all at once. He says most people it happens gradually. I'm just lucky I guess. *sigh* No dizziness, or vertigo, or balance issues.

Edit: My ENT appt is scheduled for Oct 21. Beth says the Dr is one of the best. We'll see what happens...

r2x ~ who will be wearing earplugs this weekend.


[Modified by r2x, 10:02 AM 9/18/2002]