Do you protect your hearing?

My wife says I never listen to her..or something like that... :-)

Donbellphd,

Something I've wondered about for quite a while...assuming you've taken care of your hearing throughout your life(I have), when you get older does your hearing change such that you're more sensitive to sharp noises? This is relavant to this hobby as (if your hearing does change) it'll have a specific impact on how you interpret the relative 'quality' of any particular piece of equipment you buy. It's then normal to focus your interests to equipment that compensates for the change.

An example...I listened to a well known horn-based speaker for years and really enjoyed them. Eventually they seemed to be shouting at me regardless of volume. I couldn't listen to them anymore & sold them. The speakers didn't change..I did. Was the change just a switch in taste or would it have a physical basis? (A high-school friend had the same speakers, had the same experience, and also sold them. He replaced them with a much mellower sounding (non-horn) speaker, as I did. We're both in our late fourties).

A bit off topic, but the other day I was next to a very loud Harley Davidson motorcycle and the driver was wearing ear plugs. Why not just get a quiter exhaust? The rest of us would certainly appreciate it.

Jdombrow, you obviously don't understand the Harley Attitude. They are loud for a reason, so everybody can hear you coming from a mile away! My freind tells me that at one time Harley was going to try and patent the sound of their bikes! If you can belive that. I guess abit off topic, but I never cared for the Harley sound either. My friend loves the sound, makes him feel at peace. I on the other hand, like John Coltrane's Ascension for a peaceful experience. I guess everybody has there thing. Thanks for the thought. I will look into this as I am only 31, still young, especially on this site.

Actually, a loud exhaust on a motorcycle does not usually affect the rider (driver) anymore than a loud exhaust on a car or truck affects the driver. The exhaust is pointed AWAY from the vehicle operator.

The reason many motorcyclists and Harley bikers wear earplugs is because of the damaging effects of wind noise. Without protection, wind noise at 60 mph can cause you to quickly and permanently lose hearing acuity. Going helmetless or wearing one of those stupid little Harley half-shell caps leaves the ears totally exposed. Even full-coverage helmets don't offer complete protection against the damaging effects of wind noise, so smart motorcyclists wear full-coverage helmets AND earplugs.

Loud pipes save lives.