Hi all,
I've thought a lot about hearing protection and have invested quite a bit. One of the best apps for the iPhone is called SPLnFFT, and I was advised by an audiologist to use the A weighting.
90 db sounds quite excessive in a car. I was recently in a Cessna 172, and was able to measure the sound pressure levels at about 90 db at full takeoff power for a 180 hp engine (most powerful available, I believe). It makes quite a racket.
Recently, I invested in a set of in-ear noise-reducing headphones by Bose, the QC20. At $250, I consider them way overpriced, but they are apparently the best of the models out there. The reason I got them was actually for commercial flight: on my way to Westpac, I was stuck in a CRJ700 (those small, regional jets with tail-mounted engines) that for some reason happened to be an absolute screamer. I've been in several similar jets since then but that particular AA flight was horrific and I felt I was losing my hearing. The Bose headphones (which I've tried recently on similar commercial aircraft) work fairly well as long as the earpiece is fitted correctly. While they don't eliminate all noise, they do help with the really low droning and allow you listen to music or watch a movie in peace and quiet. Cabin announcements were easy to hear.
The reason I mention them is that they appear to be quite safe in a car as well, and we have some very noisy patches of I5 in Oregon. While they do help with noise, they allow you to hear normal, higher frequencies such as sirens or voices (those outside your head as well as inside).
While I can't speak to the legality of using them to drive, I do think they are safer than the musician's earplugs I use for tuning, which filter out everything equally. The Bose over-the-ear headphones would of course be more effective, but I wouldn't drive in them. I think the QC20s are a good compromise.
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Scott Cole
Talent OR
541-601-9033
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2018 15:59
From: John Rhodes
Subject: Hearing protection
Look at 27400 (d): http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH§ionNum=27400.
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John Rhodes
Vancouver WA
360-721-0728
Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2018 15:33
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Hearing protection
I have thought of this. Unfortunately it's illegal in California. You might want to check with your state laws before you pop a pair of earplugs in your ears. In California, one will lose their license if caught with earplugs in both ears, even possible jail time. It's not exactly a good thing to wear only one plug either; if you're pulled over, "sure you were wearing them in only one ear... why do you have two then?...."
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Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2018 14:58
From: Claude Harding
Subject: Hearing protection
Wow! Have not thought of this.
Original Message------
This is why I wear ear plugs in my car on the highway. Radio off, 65mph, typical rough Wisconsin highway.
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Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
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