Ear plugs
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 292
Likes: 205
From: Kent WA
I confess it never occurred to me that ear plugs would be illegal, though I get the reasoning. Legality aside for a second, I don't see it as an issue on freeways. I don't wear earplugs when driving around town and small trips. I actually had two cops overtake me at high speed on the freeway this past weekend (heading towards an accident scene it ended up). However, I saw their flashing lights in my rearview mirror long before I would have heard them even without earplugs.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 57
Likes: 45
From: Indianapolis, IN
I've seen plenty of threads about noise when driving at highway speeds and things like adding sound deadening material, but I've never seen anyone mention earplugs. I used to do a lot of motorcycle riding and wearing earplugs was standard procedure, especially when going on longer rides. It transformed the experience. A long day of riding with the howl of wind in your ears leaves you fatigued.
My 2017 GS is a real howler on the freeway, especially on concrete. Even more of an auditory onslaught if I want to cruise with the windows down or the top off. Wearing a comfortable pair of earplugs does wonders on longer trips. Just got back from a 2.5 day run that included a lot of high speed freeway time. Got to enjoy it with the windows down and my tunes blasting in total comfort for my ears. Highly recommend it.
My 2017 GS is a real howler on the freeway, especially on concrete. Even more of an auditory onslaught if I want to cruise with the windows down or the top off. Wearing a comfortable pair of earplugs does wonders on longer trips. Just got back from a 2.5 day run that included a lot of high speed freeway time. Got to enjoy it with the windows down and my tunes blasting in total comfort for my ears. Highly recommend it.
Last edited by Indy Jim; Sep 25, 2017 at 10:27 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 826
From: Brighton Mi
Dont let people try and convince you not to wear ear protection. You can get ear plugs that are made for motorcycles/road use. They filter out the wind noise but keep important sounds like sirens etc available. They make these ones that I even wear to concerts. I have a custom pair when riding on the motorcycle, but I use these for non motorcycling:
I'll probably wear them if im going to be riding with the top down on the highway. Remember, hearing loss is cumalative over time, and you cant get it back!
Turning up the radio is NOT a solution. All that is doing is masking out loud noise for even louder! That is murder on your ears.
I'll probably wear them if im going to be riding with the top down on the highway. Remember, hearing loss is cumalative over time, and you cant get it back!
Turning up the radio is NOT a solution. All that is doing is masking out loud noise for even louder! That is murder on your ears.
Last edited by spinkick; Sep 25, 2017 at 11:06 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 26,430
Likes: 493
I have a '16 Z51 coupe. It is so loud inside I can't really hear the radio at highway speeds. I also have a few hundred thousand miles on motorcycles. The only way I can hear music on the highway is custom ear plugs with built in earbuds.
You would be amazed how tiring a constant background noise can be.
You would be amazed how tiring a constant background noise can be.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 137
From: California
I consider myself to be a noise sensitive person. I sleep with earplugs to drown out snoring. I wear noise canceling headphones at work to drown out co-worker noise.
But ... I don't get buying a car that "you" consider noisy enough to wear earplugs, when there are tons of extremely quiet great cars on the market.
Part of the sports-car experience is the sounds you hear.
I don't get it...
But ... I don't get buying a car that "you" consider noisy enough to wear earplugs, when there are tons of extremely quiet great cars on the market.
Part of the sports-car experience is the sounds you hear.
I don't get it...
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 826
From: Brighton Mi
Because the noise is just a side effect of a great sports car and there are ways to protect your hearing and not block out the "good" noises. As a motorcycle guy, I was blown away how much more relaxing it is when you filter out the wind and road noise.
Last edited by spinkick; Sep 26, 2017 at 07:16 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,427
Likes: 3,612
From: Commerce Texas
I've been driving Covettes since 1990..... I have approaching 700K miles in Corvettes since that time.
I just returned, last night (9/25/2017), from a 4,700 mile trip (average mpg 30.3). I have 54,000 on my C7 - ear plugs?
I just returned, last night (9/25/2017), from a 4,700 mile trip (average mpg 30.3). I have 54,000 on my C7 - ear plugs?
Last edited by 4thC4at60; Sep 27, 2017 at 01:14 PM. Reason: redundancy
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 826
From: Brighton Mi
That's a cool story. I'm sure there are lots of construction workers who laugh about ear plugs too. Why do you laugh about somone wanting to protect their hearing?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,427
Likes: 3,612
From: Commerce Texas
The db level in the Corvette is hardly injurious to ears....
In my case I spent way too many years around gunfire, explosions, aircraft: helicopters, reciprocating engines, and jets...
See my first sentence.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 826
From: Brighton Mi
Not suprised the sound doesn't bother you any longer. The sound level is a subjective discussion, not a right or wrong one. Maybe his roads are louder? Who knows.
I just never laugh at people taking more precautions than most on personal safety, no matter if it's guns, ear protection or motorcycle gear.
I just never laugh at people taking more precautions than most on personal safety, no matter if it's guns, ear protection or motorcycle gear.
Last edited by spinkick; Sep 27, 2017 at 04:28 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,427
Likes: 3,612
From: Commerce Texas
Not suprised the sound doesn't bother you any longer. The sound level is a subjective discussion, not a right or wrong one. Maybe his roads are louder? Who knows.
I just never laugh at people taking more precautions than most on personal safety, no matter if it's guns, ear protection or motorcycle gear.
I just never laugh at people taking more precautions than most on personal safety, no matter if it's guns, ear protection or motorcycle gear.
Let me state the "noise in the Vette" a different way: if the db-level inside the Vette was such as to injure hearing an individual would have a pretty clear case for a lawsuit that would hold up in court.
Not trying to be difficult, just stating the obvious.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 826
From: Brighton Mi
Do they measure it with the top off? I know cars are pretty damn noisy on the highway with just the windows down.
Last edited by spinkick; Sep 27, 2017 at 07:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 292
Likes: 205
From: Kent WA
Just to maybe wrap this up. My main point was to recommend a way to tame highway noise (for those who find it louder than they would prefer) without needing to modify the car by adding sound deadening material. I love my GS and I certainly like the sound of it. For most driving situations I would never feel the need to wear ear plugs. Cruising down the freeway at 80+ mph for 3 hours on a 20 year-old concrete surface about as smooth as a stone driveway, however, pushes the boundary of what I consider to be pleasing, in any car really. My wife's Toyota Matrix probably isn't any quieter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,427
Likes: 3,612
From: Commerce Texas
A last comment from me re: noise in cars....
For anyone who thinks a C7's interior is noisy.... he/she should come with me in my 29-year-old Ferrari 328 GTB with a Tubi exhaust system.....
"Roll down the windows, Myrtle, she's gonna sing!"
For anyone who thinks a C7's interior is noisy.... he/she should come with me in my 29-year-old Ferrari 328 GTB with a Tubi exhaust system.....
"Roll down the windows, Myrtle, she's gonna sing!"
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 826
From: Brighton Mi
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 4,785
Likes: 1,417
I have a '16 Z51 coupe. It is so loud inside I can't really hear the radio at highway speeds. I also have a few hundred thousand miles on motorcycles. The only way I can hear music on the highway is custom ear plugs with built in earbuds.
You would be amazed how tiring a constant background noise can be.
You would be amazed how tiring a constant background noise can be.