Topic: Will someone answer that phone?!! A rant on noise and hearing.

[MCRider]

I've been wanting to start this for some time, so now I will. I have "tinnitus". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitus  There is no cure.

There was a thread some time ago about the noise nazis. I think it had to do with local legislation against loud pipes. Now I'm about as "let it be" as anybody can be, but it is mis informed to chastise these people for their positions.

Tinnitus is a constant ringing in the ears. The most common cause is exposure to loud noises. Usually long term, but not necessarily. It can come from short term exposure, and once initiated often never goes away. Do you want it on your conscious that you did this to someone else? I have in-laws in Ormond/Daytona Beach and during speed week, they are in their condo on A1A with constant LOUD noise, all day long, day after day. As elderly people, it doesn't take much to potentially damage them forever.

For me a tone about 10 keys down from the top of a 80 key piano, just hit that note and hold it. Forever. Never wavers, pulses, diminishes, ever.

In my case I think the CAUSE started as a teen when I operated lawn mowing equipment, often for 8 or more hours a day, day after day, back when there was no concern given for ear protection. Add to that 100,000+ miles of motorcycle operations and I've got a nasty case of tinnitus. Even though I always wore a helmet, there was constant buffeting and wind noise.

But the ringing didn't start till later. That's often the case. The damage is done over time, the symptom comes later. Then you say, oops, I should've taken better care. And it is irreversible. The doctors don't even really know what the damage is. But the ringing is real.

Now, since 1992 or so, I ALWAYS insert ear plugs before riding. And as much as I love an engines rumble I resist it when others are around, which is virtually always. But the best i can hope for is that it doesn't get worse.

Tinnitus is not life threatening. Many of you have life threatening illnesses, I'm not trying to compare this to that. While it often accompanies hearing losses, I can actually hear quite well. Thankfully. Its just that whatefever I hear, it goes along with the ringing.

But as a quality of life issue, it really sucks. I walk out on my patio, in the dead of night, expecting to hear the sounds of silence, and instead its the ringing. And its there, all day long. I just have every radio in the house on to cover it up. That's actually one of the recommended therapies, introduce white noise into your environment to cover it up. I often wondered, as did my wife, why i always had the radios and TVs on. After studying up on it I understand, a sub-conscious strategy for relief.

All I'm saying is, enjoy your loud pipes, occasionally, have a true knowledge of what you're doing to yourself and to people in your surroundings, ALWAYS wear ear protection. Even with mufflers, wind buffeting is hazardous.

We are indestructible as youth, but post 30 is becoming a longer and longer time. I expect to be on this planet another 20 to 30 years, maybe more.

Me and my ringing.  

[sangyo soichiro]

I feel for you.  My Dad has the same problem.  Constant ringing.  Never quits.  Nothing to do but suffer through it.  He thinks he got it in the Navy.  He had to use paint chippers on the side of the ship and he said it was the loudest thing he ever witnessed.  He had this problem ever since I can remember... and he was in the Navy in the early '60s. 

I do feel for you, because I know how my Dad has complained about it over the years.

He also has a problem where he can't breathe too well through his nose.  He's always snorting, like he's got a stuffy nose.  He thinks he got that in the Navy too - boxing.

[MCRider]

I feel for you.  My Dad has the same problem.  Constant ringing.  Never quits.  Nothing to do but suffer through it.  He thinks he got it in the Navy.  He had to use paint chippers on the side of the ship and he said it was the loudest thing he ever witnessed.  He had this problem ever since I can remember... and he was in the Navy in the early '60s. 

I do feel for you, because I know how my Dad has complained about it over the years.

He also has a problem where he can't breathe too well through his nose.  He's always snorting, like he's got a stuffy nose.  He thinks he got that in the Navy too - boxing.

Thanks. And while wallowing in sympathy is one of the joys of life  , I will survive.

Just hoping people take the noise thing seriously and protect themselves and others, and realize people have a right to complain about our noise.

[DRam]

The earliest I can remember noticing tinnitus was when I was about four years old and asked my uncle what that ringing in my ear was, and had him listen to my ears.  Strangely, he couldn't hear it but I sure could.  Now, after years of pistols and rifles, heavy equipment, riding and loud cars there are times it's so loud it drowns out high pitched sounds.  And, like you say, it's always there, 6k cycles, never varies.

Yup, it stinks.  And it can generally be avoided.  Ear plugs, keep the volume on music down, be aware of noise in your environment.

[Kouros]

Ever been in a Cobra? Just cruise over to ffcobra.com and search the subject. Most of us who build these cars get so excited when its done and laud, that we forget the plugs until its too late. The side pipes are over 120db (easy). When driving next to a wall, its worse. I have less hearing in my left ear now, but have been wearing 2 plugs as soon as I noticed it. Didn't have to go to a doctor to tell me. Wear the plugs. I purchase the ones that feel like wax. They form to the shape of my ear. Best wishes.

-Kouros

[coldright]

I've had mine for almost 20 years now, it started when I got really sick and had a subsequent ear infection.  I may be lucky in that mine is fairly mild, although it comes with a mild hearing loss as well.  I don't notice it most of the time, it has become white noise.  Except now... cause you had to go and remind me of it. 

[Bob Wessner]

Apparently it doesn't even have to be that loud a noise. They are issuing warnings regarding the  ear buds used to listen to music from iPhones, etc. because they fit in the ear and affectively close off the ear canal. Ear phones that rest on the outside of the ear are the recommended alternative, and not too loud of course.

[MCRider]

The earliest I can remember noticing tinnitus was when I was about four years old and asked my uncle what that ringing in my ear was, and had him listen to my ears.  Strangely, he couldn't hear it but I sure could.  Now, after years of pistols and rifles, heavy equipment, riding and loud cars there are times it's so loud it drowns out high pitched sounds.  And, like you say, it's always there, 6k cycles, never varies.

Yup, it stinks.  And it can generally be avoided.  Ear plugs, keep the volume on music down, be aware of noise in your environment.

I gave the example of older folk being crushed by the Harleys on A1A, but like the flu and so many things the old and the young are more severly affected. Keep your kids away from your open pipes, and standing back from your rock and roll.

The sensation of hearing a noise that no one else can hear is so hard to explain, and well...like you say, just be aware.

[The_Crippler]

He also has a problem where he can't breathe too well through his nose.  He's always snorting, like he's got a stuffy nose.  He thinks he got that in the Navy too - boxing.

I can relate to that one.  Can't blame it on boxing, though...just always been that way.

[wannabridin]

granted i haven't put 100k miles on my bikes, i know that i need to wear ear protection and i'm trying my damndest to wear them whenever i ride!!!  it's not my pipes, it's the wind, like you said!  i need to just throw a lanyard set of eat plugs in my helmet and keep them there so i never forget to put them on!!

[MCRider]

granted i haven't put 100k miles on my bikes, i know that i need to wear ear protection and i'm trying my damndest to wear them whenever i ride!!!  it's not my pipes, it's the wind, like you said!  i need to just throw a lanyard set of eat plugs in my helmet and keep them there so i never forget to put them on!!

Since I started wearing plugs many years ago, I can't ride without them. I find if I forget, I pull over and put them in. Keep a little coin purse type holder in my jacket pocket with them in it and spares in other places.

Can't stand the wind noise.

[flybox1]

D@mn....im screw'd!
i just let the phone ring and ring.... 'cause its either my MIL or a solicitor! 

 

[KB02]

I hear your pain.. literally. I just been diagnosed with Tinitus. The thing that sucks is that is came on over the winter. I don't have the quietest pipes in the world, but I have been riding with ear plugs the last couple of years. They really help. Actually have a doctor's appointment next week to get my ears checked out.

There ARE cures out there. None that are really accepted by the mainstream medical community, but there are some options.

The ringing is starting to drive me nuts. I'm only 33. Really hope I don't have to put up with this for the next 80 years... 

[sangyo soichiro]

I should say thanks to Ron for bringing this to my attention.  I never even thought about riding with ear protection.  You may have saved me some future hearing problems.  Thanks.

[MCRider]

KB02: Sorry to hear that. Mine wasn't noticeable until i was in my 40s. But like with skin cancer the damage is often done years before the symptom arises. As to cures, admittedly I haven't aggressivley tried anything, as there is nothing official to try. There are a lot of pitches out there, but i don't have much faith in them. Let us know if you do and have results.

Low levels of background noise gives me the most relief, especially music. You may learn to enjoy classical.

Soichiro: As to protection, I've read tons of tests on ear plugs, and every possible result occurs. Expensive ones are good, custom ones are better, cheaper ones are the best, etc, etc. The best advice I've heard from a doctor is to find one you are comfortable with. If its not comfortable you won't wear it, no matter how good it is. And anything is better than nothing. $1 a pair is fair for good protection. I think.

I bot a sampler from RiderWearhouse and haven't used them all up yet.

I wear the rollup, insert and expand foam types with my helmet. I wear them or head gear with the lawn mower, leaf blower, grinder etc.

[HavocTurbo]

When I was in high school we were working on a car in shop....

My friend placed a wrench on the fender of the car and it slid down and hit the positive battery terminal. Instantly it welded itself to the fender.

I started to hear this hissing noise and noticed the bright cherry red wrench on the battery.

An expletive and a quick head turn saved my face from being hit with exploding electrolyte.

But my right ear..... it burned out (mostly because it was so hot) my ear drum and a lot of the surrounding tissue. I can hear nothing in that ear but a constant ringing.

And so while I arrived where you are from a different place.... I sympathize with you.

[The_Crippler]

Seriously, HT...I'm beginning to think that, next Friday the 13th, you need to walk under a ladder on stage while whistling and opening an umbrella, find a black cat and kill it with a broken mirror.



I'm fairly certain that it will improve your luck.

[coldright]

He has superhuman powers... he's impervious to destruction.

[The_Crippler]

Impervious? No...able to survive more than a mere mortal?  Yes.

[HavocTurbo]

lol I grew up on a farm..... we can work through anything.

That and I was always allowed to learn by doing.... which actually meant learn from your horribly disfiguring mistakes.

 

[Caaveman82]

MC, I read you loud and clear man. I have this as well from my time in the Marine Corps. Heavy equipment, gun fire, mortar rounds, etc. When I lay down at night and it is silent is when it's the worse. Trying to sleep with it is terrible. I have to have the fan running year round just for the white noise. It sounds like a beep from a hearing test. I have always thought loud pipes were obnoxious, so I'm with you on that too. I don't understand the thrill, unless it's a cheap one? They like the vibration of the pipes? lol

[MCRider]

MC, I read you loud and clear man. I have this as well from my time in the Marine Corps. Heavy equipment, gun fire, mortar rounds, etc. When I lay down at night and it is silent is when it's the worse. Trying to sleep with it is terrible. I have to have the fan running year round just for the white noise. It sounds like a beep from a hearing test. I have always thought loud pipes were obnoxious, so I'm with you on that too. I don't understand the thrill, unless it's a cheap one? They like the vibration of the pipes? lol

Sorry for you, seriously. And thank you for your service, I appreciate it, seriously.

Yeah, its when after a hectic day I recline in my library, or sit on the patio, just when i think I'll enjoy the silence I realize the ringing. And I turn on the radio for cover.

My furnace fan runs all the time too. Helps, but then sometimes you want some rest from that noise as well.

I like the sound of a good running engine, and sometimes that includes loud pipes. But people need to know there is a price to pay. Sometimes if its righteous the noisemaker pays. Other times the noisemaker makes others pay and that ain't right at all.

besides ear plugs, I wear these, since I have no pride. Besides the claimed advantages, it cuts down on the buffeting.
http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=SLIK

[Caaveman82]

I can hardly hear anything in my helmet any way hah.

I know what you mean though, I forget about it some times too and then go to relax and all of a sudden... beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

ack!

I am very protetive of my kids ears though because I don't ever want her to have this. I keep the radio down low when she is in the car, I made her wear ear plugs at some kids event I took her too, and I have fixed every volume knob in the house so she cannot crank anything up. That last one is for her as well as me, she likes to wake up at 5 am and turn the TV all the way up some times. ANNOYING.

[tramp]

turbine engines got me
sometimes i don't notice it at all
but i know it's there
alway's remind the young guys to wear ear protection

[bucky katt]

i played in bands throughout my teens and twenties (lots of punk and hardcore) and until recently rode with a bowl helmet and no earplugs. it's the worst at night when the house is quiet.