Driving convertibles damages your ears

Tamman69 · 10-07-2009, 01:14 AM

Bad news for convertible drivers posted at the BBC here

Fortunately I don't often drive at those speeds...

Hawkeye · 10-07-2009, 09:51 AM

Interesting... means my motorcycle is probably twice as bad!

Lowansa · 10-07-2009, 11:20 AM

Actually no, If you wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle it is way easier on the ears.. I was told after developing a hearing loss in my left ear that it was caused from driving my car with my window down.

ZStig · 10-07-2009, 04:58 PM

what?! WHAT?!

vachss · 10-07-2009, 06:52 PM

Never had a convertible, but drove cars with some pretty loud headers and sat in front of a few too many speaker columns at shows back in the '70s, 80s and 90s. Same result - sucks to be old...

Valarr · 10-07-2009, 08:28 PM

hmmm, don't like the sound of that...

leeman · 10-07-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamman69

Bad news for convertible drivers posted at the BBC here

Fortunately I don't often drive at those speeds...

I did not know that thank you for the tip.

WhoU4 · 10-07-2009, 09:08 PM

"Cruising with the top down at speeds of 50-70mph (80-112km/h) exposes the ears to sound levels sometimes nearing those made by a pneumatic drill, they argue."

So if you drive faster are you able to reduce your chance for damage?

Hawkeye · 10-08-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowansa

Actually no, If you wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle it is way easier on the ears.. I was told after developing a hearing loss in my left ear that it was caused from driving my car with my window down.

Iowa has no helmet law so I am about 50/50 on wearing one. Depends on where I am going and how damn good my hair looks

mojowkng · 11-01-2009, 06:46 AM

I always ride my BMW 1150 GS motorcycle with custom ear plugs + helmet. And always keep a pair of custom plugs in the Zed for the same reason. At highway speeds, I use the plugs.

ZStig · 11-01-2009, 05:00 PM

its a bit dangerous to insulate too much sound out. I've done it while driving PA to Miami though

M_Six · 11-02-2009, 01:19 PM

I have hearing loss already in both ears and tinnitus really bad in the left ear. I have noticed the tinnitus gets worse after driving the Z with the top down. In my biker days I used to wear earplugs under my helmet. I should probably do that with the Z as well. I've read on Jeep forums that a lot of the Jeep softtop drivers wear earplugs.

ersin · 11-02-2009, 08:20 PM

You can probably get the same results driving in town, like for example when you come to a red light next to a big truck. The noise from the turbos and exhaust in those things when the light turns green is bound to give you some hearing loss.

M_Six · 11-02-2009, 10:37 PM

Tried earplugs on the way home tonight. Weird feeling. Sort of a detachment effect. I was able to hear things that I never noticed before like the tire noise from the cars near me. But I also had a steady bass beat of the wind buffeting that I never had before. It wasn't bad, though. Just new. And some music, especially acoustic guitar, sounds better with the ear plugs. Heavier music, not so much. We're expecting decent weather all week, so I'll be in the Z for the next few days and maybe all week. I'll keep using the plugs to see how they work. Definitely helps with the tinnitus, though.

WhoU4 · 11-03-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

I'll keep using the plugs to see how they work. Definitely helps with the tinnitus, though.

Mark, I may have to re-think this and give it a try myself. I'm sure it may prevent the slight ear discomfort after driving around in 40 - 48 degree weather.

Let me know how your week works out.

Dave

rc'Z · 11-06-2009, 10:55 AM

I Pods and night clubs damage more hearing than convertibles.

Modad · 11-07-2009, 10:03 AM

iPod noise-suppressing ear buds are the best of both worlds: Good tunes and little wind noise!

M_Six · 11-07-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhoU4

Mark, I may have to re-think this and give it a try myself. I'm sure it may prevent the slight ear discomfort after driving around in 40 - 48 degree weather.

Let me know how your week works out.

Dave

It does help with the cold. I drove top down a couple of mornings in the upper 30's and low 40's. No cold air in the ears. Really helps reduce the tinnitus after the drive, too. I still get a weird sense of isolation from the car, though. Not as in touch with what's going on. I think for highway cruising it's a good deal, but maybe not so much for backroad blasting.

WhoU4 · 11-07-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M_Six

I think for highway cruising it's a good deal, but maybe not so much for backroad blasting.

Which I'm sure you may have been partaking in today... (I certainly did) Weather sure was sweet today.

I'll have to give the plugs a try (highway) when the temps drop.. Thanks!

773H HO · 11-07-2009, 05:18 PM

Driving with the top up damages your soul.

M_Six · 11-07-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 773H HO

Driving with the top up damages your soul.

+1

fryon1031 · 11-07-2009, 11:14 PM

cranking up the volume is prob worse

10-07-2009, 01:14 AM	#1
Tamman69 Private First Class 10 Rep 119 Posts Drives: Z4 2009 SDrive23i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Driving convertibles damages your ears Bad news for convertible drivers posted at the BBC here Fortunately I don't often drive at those speeds...
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10-07-2009, 09:51 AM	#2
Hawkeye Brigadier General 2070 Rep 4,365 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iowa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 GMC Sierra SLT [10.00] 2008 Yamaha R6 [9.00]	Interesting... means my motorcycle is probably twice as bad! __________________ 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP 2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4 2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune 2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
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10-07-2009, 11:20 AM	#3
Lowansa New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2003 Z4 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Actually no, If you wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle it is way easier on the ears.. I was told after developing a hearing loss in my left ear that it was caused from driving my car with my window down. Last edited by Lowansa; 10-07-2009 at 06:30 PM.. Reason: Misunderstanding
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10-07-2009, 04:58 PM	#4
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	what?! WHAT?! __________________
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10-07-2009, 06:52 PM	#5
vachss Captain 55 Rep 815 Posts Drives: Z4 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ventura County, CA iTrader: (1)	Never had a convertible, but drove cars with some pretty loud headers and sat in front of a few too many speaker columns at shows back in the '70s, 80s and 90s. Same result - sucks to be old...
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10-07-2009, 08:28 PM	#6
Valarr Enlisted Member 1 Rep 42 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KY iTrader: (0)	hmmm, don't like the sound of that... __________________
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10-07-2009, 09:08 PM	#8
WhoU4 First Lieutenant 21 Rep 352 Posts Drives: '05 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Madison, WI iTrader: (0)	"Cruising with the top down at speeds of 50-70mph (80-112km/h) exposes the ears to sound levels sometimes nearing those made by a pneumatic drill, they argue." So if you drive faster are you able to reduce your chance for damage? __________________ OEM Strut Brace / UUC SSK / Zeck CDV / Clutch Stop / ZHP Shift Knob / Stubby Ant / Top Covers / Dinan K&N / M Seats / SP / PP
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11-01-2009, 06:46 AM	#10
mojowkng New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: 06 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	hearing damage I always ride my BMW 1150 GS motorcycle with custom ear plugs + helmet. And always keep a pair of custom plugs in the Zed for the same reason. At highway speeds, I use the plugs.
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11-01-2009, 05:00 PM	#11
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	its a bit dangerous to insulate too much sound out. I've done it while driving PA to Miami though __________________
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11-02-2009, 01:19 PM	#12
M_Six Free Thinker 16875 Rep 7,454 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	I have hearing loss already in both ears and tinnitus really bad in the left ear. I have noticed the tinnitus gets worse after driving the Z with the top down. In my biker days I used to wear earplugs under my helmet. I should probably do that with the Z as well. I've read on Jeep forums that a lot of the Jeep softtop drivers wear earplugs. __________________ Mark markj.pics "There is no shame in dropping fruit in your glass." -UncleWede
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11-02-2009, 08:20 PM	#13
ersin Brigadier General 126 Rep 4,145 Posts Drives: 17 YMB F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (1)	You can probably get the same results driving in town, like for example when you come to a red light next to a big truck. The noise from the turbos and exhaust in those things when the light turns green is bound to give you some hearing loss. __________________ 2017 F80 YMB.
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11-02-2009, 10:37 PM	#14
M_Six Free Thinker 16875 Rep 7,454 Posts Drives: 2016 MB GLC300 4matic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Foothills of Mt Level iTrader: (0)	Tried earplugs on the way home tonight. Weird feeling. Sort of a detachment effect. I was able to hear things that I never noticed before like the tire noise from the cars near me. But I also had a steady bass beat of the wind buffeting that I never had before. It wasn't bad, though. Just new. And some music, especially acoustic guitar, sounds better with the ear plugs. Heavier music, not so much. We're expecting decent weather all week, so I'll be in the Z for the next few days and maybe all week. I'll keep using the plugs to see how they work. Definitely helps with the tinnitus, though. __________________ Mark markj.pics "There is no shame in dropping fruit in your glass." -UncleWede
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11-06-2009, 10:55 AM	#16
rc'Z Captain 13 Rep 821 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Convertible Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	I Pods and night clubs damage more hearing than convertibles.
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11-07-2009, 10:03 AM	#17
Modad New Member 0 Rep 9 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Arkansas iTrader: (0)	iPod noise-suppressing ear buds are the best of both worlds: Good tunes and little wind noise!
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11-07-2009, 05:18 PM	#20
773H HO Enlisted Member 3 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2006 Z-4 Osi Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Washington State iTrader: (0)	Driving with the top up damages your soul.
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11-07-2009, 11:14 PM	#22
fryon1031 Enlisted Member 2 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Seoul iTrader: (0)	cranking up the volume is prob worse
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