Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)

[SupraSabre]

I worked in computer rooms for the first 13 years of my "In Computers" career. My wife insists I have a hearing problem and I just tell her to quit mumbling all the time!

Oh, and the Shoei Multitec helmet is not very good at all when it comes to cutting the noise down! 4:

 

[T_C]

There's no such thing as a helmet quiet enough not to use ear plugs.

Yep... not on a motorcycle.

Even if consistent noise isn't that loud the occasional wind gusts are.

 

[ST Gui]

There's no such thing as a helmet quiet enough not to use ear plugs.

+1! I looked up "quiet" in the dictionary and found a picture of a motorcycle helmet in a red circle with a diagonal slash through it. Then I looked up "oxymoron" and found a list of phrases including "quiet motorcycle helmet"

I've had tinnitus for over 40yrs. It's 24/7 and worse in my right ear than my left. Mine is also from the military from small arms fire. I've never really unaware of it though it can get worse for many different reasons. Sometimes the step-up is triggered by riding sometimes it's not. Go figure. Sometimes it's eating ice cream. But never pie! Again Whisky-Tango-

Even though it's not always triggered by wind noise the noise is enough to merit earplugs even if it couldn't cause tinnitus (which it certainly can under the right circumstances). Earplugs are the way to go.

Riding without a helmet is quieter than riding with one and riding without a helmet and earplugs is quieter than right with a helmet and ear plugs. In my experience. No I'm not recommending riding helmetless. Just remarking how much noise is generated by a helmet moving through air. Or vice versa.

 

[CYYJ]

....I think its more age related.

I agree with Rick, I think there is a correlation between the onset of Tinnitus and age, but I think there is a bit more to it than just age: I suspect that exposure to noise in our younger years causes cumulative damage to our hearing, and when sufficient damage accrues (in other words, when we get older), the tinnitus appears.

In my case, I first started to notice the ringing when I was about 45. It has not appreciably worsened since the onset, but I have been very careful to protect my ears from noise since I first noticed the tinnitus.

I have found one useful function of the non-locking side pocket in the fairing... see photo below.

Michael

 

[Outbackwack]

For me it was lots of loud music, mostly disco, and probably lots of bike riding. I also do a lot of bicycle riding and it's amazing how much wind hits your ears at 20mph. I still listen to loud music because I like it but hate it at concerts and parties for some reason. Now I wear earplugs while riding 99% of the time. I tried the drops but they did nothing. I haven't gone to see an ENT yet, but it's on the list. Let us know if you find some miracle cure. Oh, and in the last several years I've lost certain frequencies in my left ear.

 

[BakerBoy]

Yep 24/7 here too, I've learned to tune it out most of the time. I always wear noise isolation plugs while riding, and ringing is always more pronounced after riding. Mine is from lack of hearing protection growing up on the farm, somewhat aggravated by borderline hypertension (blood pressure), and significantly increased after my bout with meningitis a few years ago.

It's never too late to protect what's left of your/my hearing.

 

[Mcreviver]

Loud pipes save...? Not your ears. I would gladly put up with my tinnitus if the neuropathy in my feet would go away.
The first clue I had hearing trouble was the night in January when I heard crickets.

 

[DbleDutch]

I have found one useful function of the non-locking side pocket in the fairing...

Looks just like my pocket

 

[ST Gui]

Some tinnitus is age-related stemming from a loss of hearing in later years like 60+. That's called presbycusis. Some is the result of loud noises and while the damage can be accumulative that's not a function of age it's a function of time. Or it can be very loud percussive sound over a short period of time. Then there are diseases which leave it as a parting gift. Some people just get it and never know how or why.

It's not an inevitability. Age-related tinnitus (from hearing loss) could be the largest single factor but I bet it's not the cause of most tinnitus.

I've learned to tune it out most of the time… and ringing is always more pronounced after riding.

Ditto. It's suddenly very noticeable when I turn the key off. I know blocking out the ambient noise with earplugs allows me to hear it better. "Somebody wanna get that??"

I've learned to live with it at an early age. It's always there if I listen for it but most often I'm sufficiently distracted that it takes a back seat. I've never done anything to try to abate it. The earplugs are just to eliminate the wind noise and save my hearing such as it is.

 

[Reginald]

There's no such thing as a helmet quiet enough not to use ear plugs.

An overstatement.

The Qwest works for me with my shield all the way down. The face shield has to be closed which makes it hot in the summer. When I crack the face shield I use ear plugs. Had my ears tested; they're excellent for my age, so the helmet works for me.

According to NIOSH and CDC, 2002; for every 3 dBs over 85dB, the permissible exposure time before possible damage can occur is cut in half. OSHA standards dictate that for every 5 dB increase, at levels greater than 90 dB, the duration of allowable exposure is half.

Mary Wade, Au.D (Doctor of Audiology) advises, ?What is safe for one set of ears may not be safe for every person or every ear. If, after noise exposure, you notice that hearing seems diminished, your ears feel full and/or you have ringing (tinitus), your ears are sending you a 911 call. If the symptoms are temporary, you know you dodged a bullet. If the changes are permanent, well?then you live with hearing loss and ringing in the ears.?

Go see a Audiology specialist. There are a range of ears. For me a helmet with closed face shield works, for you it doesn't.

 

[playfair]

I've had this for close to 10 years, and I'm 47 now... Guess I beat on my ears pretty good in my youth. Like some others here, mine is pretty easily ignored when there is background noise throughout the day. But at night... I have to fall asleep with TV/noise else the ringing is "deafening". Solitary confinement would drive me insane in short order lol

As far as wind noise, earplugs help, but aren't perfect... With the windscreen up, I find my RF1100 is quietest with the face shield up (diverts the air over the top?), so I just wear sun or safety glasses most of the time on longer rides.

 

[Afan]

The first clue I had hearing trouble was the night in January when I heard crickets.

 

[Blue One]

An overstatement.

The Qwest works for me with my shield all the way down. The face shield has to be closed which makes it hot in the summer. When I crack the face shield I use ear plugs. Had my ears tested; they're excellent for my age, so the helmet works for me.

According to NIOSH and CDC, 2002; for every 3 dBs over 85dB, the permissible exposure time before possible damage can occur is cut in half. OSHA standards dictate that for every 5 dB increase, at levels greater than 90 dB, the duration of allowable exposure is half.

Mary Wade, Au.D (Doctor of Audiology) advises, “What is safe for one set of ears may not be safe for every person or every ear. If, after noise exposure, you notice that hearing seems diminished, your ears feel full and/or you have ringing (tinitus), your ears are sending you a 911 call. If the symptoms are temporary, you know you dodged a bullet. If the changes are permanent, well…then you live with hearing loss and ringing in the ears.”

Go see a Audiology specialist. There are a range of ears. For me a helmet with closed face shield works, for you it doesn't.

It is not an overstatement, and while your post sounds quite convincing, the only one you are really convincing (actually it is fooling) is yourself.

You are wrong, plain and simple.

 

[Gerhard]

Just the fact that you can ride longer and not feel as tired when wearing ear plugs convinces me, the protection of my hearing is just a big bonus.

Gerhard

 

[Mick]

I've had this since I retired from the Air Force in '86. I worked around high speed electronic equipment and we we're smart enough back then to wear ear protection. I now have to wear hearing aids and they have a white sound that eliminates the ringing but have to take them out at night so it all comes back.

Ear damage is cumulative, so harm to your hearing piles up with time. After years of too much noise, symptoms of tinnitus first started hitting me 10+ years ago. At first it was off and on but has been permanent now for the last 6 or 7. Being right next to running jet engines and very near rockets taking off while in the Air Force back in the early 70's did my ears no good at all. Loud rock music in the 60's did it's share of damage as well. As mentioned, age is another factor.

I've always worn earplugs to keep from further damaging my ears. Since I'm already doing all I can, I strive to find the quietest helmet I can. I had an HJC helmet once that was so loud, it really aggravated the tinnitus even though I was wearing earplugs.

THESE are the plugs I use. Hearos 33 decibel:

 

[Blue One]

Speaking of ear plugs, I use BPI plugs and really like them. earplugsonline.com

Actually for ear plugs and quality hearing protection, these guys are the best you can buy.
Some people like me can not wear disposable foam ear plugs.
The reason for that is the foam plugs exert constant pressure on your ear canal even after they have expanded to fit because they want to continue expanding back to their original size.
That created a great deal of pain for me.
The solution ?
A pair of custom molded plugs from these guys, the best

http://www.audio-guard.com/

 

[Reginald]

It is not an overstatement, and while your post sounds quite convincing, the only one you are really convincing (actually it is fooling) is yourself.

You are wrong, plain and simple.

How so? Is wearing ear plugs if you need them wrong? Are the standards I quoted wrong? Wind tunnels found most noise is transferred through the face shield seals or lack of and hinge area. Close the face shield and it's quieter for me, what's wrong here? Is seeing an audiologist is wrong? You may need special fitted ear plugs and an audiologist can do that. That's why I went to an audiologist in the first place. Many folks need the plugs all the time, I did with my noisy Nolan 103; that's when I researched all this. I got the Qwest and it got way better for me. What's wrong with that? Jeez The only times I need ear plugs now are windy days and extended riding over 75 MPH.

 

[Blue One]

How so? Is wearing ear plugs if you need them wrong? Are the standards I quoted wrong? Wind tunnels found most noise is transferred through the face shield seals or lack of and hinge area. Close the face shield and it's quieter for me, what's wrong here? Is seeing an audiologist is wrong? You may need special fitted ear plugs and an audiologist can do that. That's why I went to an audiologist in the first place. Many folks need the plugs all the time, I did with my noisy Nolan 103; that's when I researched all this. I got the Qwest and it got way better for me. What's wrong with that? Jeez The only times I need ear plugs now are windy days and extended riding over 75 MPH.

That is why you are wrong and why you are fooling yourself.

You need ear plugs all the time regardless of the helmet and where you are riding.

But of course you can't understand that.

 

[John OoSTerhuis]

Yeah, sure, Reggie... and denial is a river in Egypt.

 

[okbobw]

The real hazard for me is when I forget to put the ear plugs in and just plain don't want to stop and go through the ordeal..... of pulling over removing gloves, oops dropped one, make sure no car is coming as I get off the bike... didn't have enough room on the shoulder to put kick stand down without the bike being off camber and wanting to pitch over on the right side.
I think I can reach it, got it! OK Now I'm cooking,,, NO! NO! that stupid head scarf helmet protection what ever is landing on the edge of the asphalt. OK if I get off and hold the left grip with my right hand and stretch my left foot out there I can,,, OH NO why is that 18 wheeler not slowing down? STAB with the toe and GOT IT.. I can't be denied.

Back on the bike and manage to out maneuver the Velcro gods, and with the helmet back on and determined to get my glasses hooked behind my ears I'm a happy camper. Victory!

WOW! the bike is quieter it is pulling strong and feeling good and I'm glad that I stopped and did the right thing for myself. It is a good feeling BUT WHAT the, (mirror check) OH MAN (speedometer check) full 10 MPH faster than expected (mirror check) AH FUDGE! I get a speed award.

OK anyone else find them selves riding a little faster after putting the ear plugs back in. Yes the above is a true story.