Just got back from my Hearing Dr. Need hearing aids. It is going to be about $3K-$4K for the pair. I was told this is about average. So, I have been riding sense the 70's, never thought about hearing loss. The Dr. told me that the wind noise and loud pipes degraded my hearing over the years. I'm 75yr. now. This was a surprise to me as I never had any problems until a month ago when I noticed "Tinnitus" the ringing in the ears. If you think that you are having a problem go get your hearing checked. That $3K-$4K is not covered under most insurance or Medicare. Should would have been nice to spend it on the Bike or a road trip.
Kenny

 

Sorry to hear that (No pun intended)!

I'm 55 and have been plagued by tinnitus, for the last few years.

 

This thread should be a sticky at the top!

Sorry you're going through this; I'm 55 and tinnitus is just starting to show itself a touch for me as well, there were plenty of hard rock and metal concerts back in the day I've always worn earplugs on any motorcycle I've owned, no matter how loud or whisper quiet the exhaust was or what helmet I was wearing; the wind noise is a killer on your hearing. People who are riding without hearing protection need to take note of what you're going through.

I hope the hearing aids can make a difference for you...

 

After a few years of severe ear ringing, I was fitted with hearing aids about three months ago. I have severe tinnitus in one ear...not quite as much in the other. The hearing aids have made a positive difference in easing the ringing. The doctor told me the devices will "retrain" my hearing. I only notice the ringing when I remove the devices when I go to bed. They are not inexpensive and I've been told they'll need to be replaced in approximately five years. Most health insurance plans do not cover the cost. I paid a little over $4k for mine. Years of riding and exposure to high frequencies in power plants led to my issue.

 

There are some new ways of treating the ringing... use while alseep... lemmee look...

http://www.californiaearinstitute.co...l-stimulus.pdf

The idea is to sort of feed the nice parts of what's left of the hearing a man has, and starve the broken parts that are complaining, making the ringing "sounds". Pretty much a spectrum distortion that's somewhat effective in some people at quieting tinnitus.

Me and Honey Pie both have tinnitus...

Me? Bike and foundries and mills and, yes, power plants - I recall catching naps under 6 mw diesel crankcases...

Honey Pie? Rock music, and genetics...

 

My dad will turn 80 in a few days. He goes to gym 3 times a week to lift weights. I keep telling him to eat more protein, otherwise his muscles will not grow.

 

BE SURE you go to Costco's hearing clinic before you spend the money. Really.

 

I am 67 now. Have had ringing in my ears continually since I was about 10. Can't remember before that. From what I've read it only bothers people who think about it, which I think is true. About every 5 years I may have trouble going to sleep and will hear the ringing and then can't get it out of my mind for a week or so. I was a cop and shot a gun every day for 20 years before anyone thought about using "ear muffs" I also rode bikes with straight pipes for 50 years and an AC Cobra who's headers dumped right under the door for 15 years. Like everything else, some things will go on some people over time, others it won't. Luck of the draw and nothing you can do about it. I'm just happy that some of my stuff still works.

 

I need to be more religious about wearing ear plugs every time I ride. Thanks for the reminder.

I'm a prime candidate for this. All my life I've rode bikes, shot guns, listened to loud music and fly planes for a living. There is nothing quiet about any of that.

 

OP sorry about your situation. I am 59 and while my hearing is still good I have really been plagued the last couple of years by the wind and exhaust. To the point that I finish a ride and feel like I am in a tunnel for an hour or so. I have been using ear plugs now consistently and it helps. Will probably start looking into a much better helmet as well that truely blocks the wind noise.

Good luck to you sir.