Does anyone know if exhaust drone can result in hearing loss?

 

I would guess that all depends on how much drone there is. Hearing loss always occurs at high decibels.

 

Can staring at a computer screen all day hurt your eyes? Can typing on a keyboard cause discomfort in your hands? Sure anything can if it's at an extreme, but I'd think you'd have to be subject to very loud drone for very long extended periods for it to make a noticeable difference in your hearing.

 

I had a 65 Vette roadster with sidepipes and at a hearing test I had measureable hearing loss in my left ear . The only thing we could relate it to was a year of using the car as a daily driver . Talk about drone ! It was always there.

 

I am going to go back to the stock axle-backs. I don't feel it is worth it to have a loud exhaust at the sacrifice of hearing loss. I don't mind if the car makes a statement from the outside, but I shouldn't have to put up with excessive drone to enjoy it. You might find my Violators for sale in the near future.

 

 

What? What did he say?

 

Why don't you change to something that doesn't have drone?



Like my GTA's.

 

NVM.

 

Ray Man: The GTAs are still too subtle, and the Corsas are over $600.

 

What?

 

Umm... he typed it. You must be having eye trouble. You know what makes you go blind.

 

Absolutely, NO QUESTION about it! I know first hand I suffered permanent hearing loss from LOUD exhaust. I have the hearing test results to prove it...

Ask your doctor about it, or contact OSHA about their work place hearing protection standards.

Factors such as sound pressure, frequency, and length of exposure all play roles in determining whether what you hear is harmful or just annoying. However, the following are warning signs that noise is too loud:

• You have to shout to make yourself heard.
• You have ringing in your ears for several hours after exposure to the noise.
• You have difficulty hearing normal sounds for several hours after exposure to the noise.

Most hearing specialists agree: You can damage your hearing if you’re continually exposed to noise greater than 85 decibels over an eight-hour period. As noise levels rise above 85 decibels, the safe exposure time for unprotected ears falls dramatically. For example, 110-decibel noise can impair hearing after just 15 minutes of exposure.

Lower levels of noise
exposure may actually be riskier than higher levels.
Exposures below 95 dBA may be annoying, but don’t seem loud enough for hearing protection though cumulative exposure can lead to hearing loss. Noise levels above 100 dBA, however, are uncomfortable and the discomfort serves as a reminder to wear hearing protection.

Repeated exposures to loud noise without appropriate hearing protection can damage hair cells to the point that they won’t recover. Because the damage is permanent, the result is called a permanent threshold shift. No treatment will restore it. When you destroy hair cells, you destroy hearing.

 

100% true. I work around wells. 100+ dB's. Hearing protection is a must.

As for exhaust, you might want to invest in a set of electric cut outs. Loud when you want it, normal when you don't. My friend has a set on his '03 GT. Sounds good when open. Then a flick of a switch and it's back to normal.

Vid on an '07. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hta088uLK1s

 

I noticed I was having problems hearing what people say. Especially in that decibel level. I switched back to stock and things sound a whole lot better in conversation. Still have the stingers for car shows though. Wish they had chrome tips to slip over the stock exhaust.

 

Wow, some of you guys must spend a lot of time in your cars.

 

I spend on average 1 hour per day in my car. I'm just sensitive to noise. I complain about wind, rain, and tire noise but there's not much I can do for those.

 

What did you say?

 

I just turn the tunes up louder than the exhaust that way it doesn't bother me anymore.

Also, if you open the windows, a lot of the sound will go outside the car.

 

The louder music and wind noise will also affect your hearing...