audioaudio90 Messages: 623 Registered: October 2010
Illuminati (1st Degree)
This article is a few months old but it discusses hearing loss due to riding in convertibles. Apparently driving at 55 mph produces a noise level of roughly 85 dB (although the exact number varies by car model) which can cause hearing damage over time.
Wayne Parham Messages: 18793 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
Absolutely. Even worse on a motorcycle, although it's hard to resist that feeling of the wind in your hair. But after an hour long rise, you have the same symptoms as being at a loud concert.
On another note, wearing a helmet isn't much better than going without as far as hearing loss goes. Technically you need to wear earplugs regardless. My hearing suffers almost as bad wearing any of my helmets (1/2 or full-face).
For some reason, I wouldn't think it would be the noise level that would cause a hearing problem, but more something to do with the air going through your ears.
I just live near a freeway and the sound level is constant. In the summertime with the windows open in the condo, it can be very annoying. I try to tell myself it is the ocean, but I don't believe myself!