CNI
10-20-2004, 11:21 AM
This is a post I found at another forum. I've been wearing ear plugs on rides for some time now. It cuts down the noise and increases my attention level by far. I imagine that my helmet is probably a bit noiser than most but still this is information that should be seen.
>>This site is the first place I've heard recommendations to wear ear plugs while riding. Not even mentioned in the MSF class. What decibal levels are we talking about?<<
This is one of those areas that MSF won't go into due to the good advice + complete idiot = liability. In addition, ear plugs are illegal to wear in some states, like Pennsylvania. Obviously, the law is outdated and wrong, but that doesn't change it.
As for decibels, I pulled this chart off of a web site. This is the time it takes for a constant sound to affect your hearing. I believe a motorcycle travelling at highway speed generates roughly 95 to 105 constant decibels. This of course depends on your helmet and other factors like wind.
Decibel Exposure Time Guidelines
Accepted standards for recommended permissible exposure time for continuous time weighted average noise, according to NIOSH and CDC, 2002. For every 3 dBs over 85dB, the permissible exposure time before possible damage can occur is cut in half.
Continuous dB
Permissible Exposure Time
85 db
8 hours
88 dB
4 hours
91 db
2 hours
94 db
1 hour
97 db
30 minutes
100 db
15 minutes
103 db
7.5 minutes
106 dB
3.75 min (< 4min)
109 dB
1.875 min (< 2min)
112 dB
.9375 min (~1 min)
115 dB
.46875 min (~30 sec)
>>This site is the first place I've heard recommendations to wear ear plugs while riding. Not even mentioned in the MSF class. What decibal levels are we talking about?<<
This is one of those areas that MSF won't go into due to the good advice + complete idiot = liability. In addition, ear plugs are illegal to wear in some states, like Pennsylvania. Obviously, the law is outdated and wrong, but that doesn't change it.
As for decibels, I pulled this chart off of a web site. This is the time it takes for a constant sound to affect your hearing. I believe a motorcycle travelling at highway speed generates roughly 95 to 105 constant decibels. This of course depends on your helmet and other factors like wind.
Decibel Exposure Time Guidelines
Accepted standards for recommended permissible exposure time for continuous time weighted average noise, according to NIOSH and CDC, 2002. For every 3 dBs over 85dB, the permissible exposure time before possible damage can occur is cut in half.
Continuous dB
Permissible Exposure Time
85 db
8 hours
88 dB
4 hours
91 db
2 hours
94 db
1 hour
97 db
30 minutes
100 db
15 minutes
103 db
7.5 minutes
106 dB
3.75 min (< 4min)
109 dB
1.875 min (< 2min)
112 dB
.9375 min (~1 min)
115 dB
.46875 min (~30 sec)