I had a free hearing test today. For some time I have been noticing that dialogue on the TV seemed “murky” and that it was a little difficult hearing conversation in crowded places, like restaurants. Well, the test showed that I DID have a degree of hearing loss in both ears though nothing significant and especially for someone my age. I guess I just have to listen more carefully.
However, having the hearing test reminded me that it was probably all those years of riding motorcycles without using hearing protection that has caused the problem. I can’t really put a date to the time that I started using ear plugs but it must have been around 20 years ago, I am guessing. If this is the case then I rode for over 20 years without looking after my hearing and I am guessing again that this period of time was when the damage to my hearing was done.
Now I know I am preaching to the choir here but I am sure that you all know that loud noises can damage hearing and that, once that damage is done, it is irreparable. Wind noise in your helmet while you are riding along is just as damaging even though it may not be loud.
So, years ago, I started wearing ear plugs while I rode though it now seems that this was a case of shutting the stable door. Always with the budget in mind, I opted for the foam ones and they worked fine. Then, around 15 years ago or so, I was talking to another riding buddy about ear plugs and he said, “Do you want some, they give them away to us at work all the time?” I said yes and, the next time we met he handed me a 2 Litre ice cream container. I said, “What’s this?” and he said that it was some ear plugs! I was expecting maybe a few, at the most half a dozen. I opened the container and it was crammed full of then, the tapered ones like the picture at the top of the article! I was stunned and very grateful.
Now, of course, these sorts are designed as a single-use item, which is why they keep the guys and gals in industry constantly supplied. But the fact is that they can be re-used, especially if you take care to keep them clean which is what I do. Consequently, I still have the ice cream container and have only had it “topped up” once by Steve when he figured the level must have been dropping a little; isn’t it great to have good friends?
Certainly there are more expensive solutions, the custom jobbies are very good but they are also ridiculously expensive given that nobody has ever been able to satisfactorily explain to me if spending $300 on a set of custom ear plugs is going to protect my hearing better than a set of foam industrial ones. Yes, I know you can listen to your music or your intercom through them (but then they cost even MORE) and, anyway, nobody has ever been able to tell me why, if they are THAT good, MotoGp riders don’t use them and still use the same foam ear plugs that I do. 🙂
And, on that subject, one of my reasons for riding is so I an AVOID being distracted by the technology, mobile phones, etc. I WANT to listen to the exhaust note booming off the cliffs; I WANT to be out of reach for a bit, that’s one of the greatest things about riding.
Listen, I don’t care if you are riding on a budget like I am or are Joe Gotrocks and can afford gold-plated ear protection, it doesn’t matter, just WEAR YOUR EAR PROTECTION EVERY TIME YOU RIDE.
Did you hear that? Good, so take notice.