Your Hearing Health and Convertible Vehicles

The New York Times recently discussed a study done by St. Louis University School of Medicine’s department of otolaryngology in conjunction with the Ear Institute of Texas. The study concentrates on the negative effects driving in a convertible can have on your hearing health.

In it, it was concluded that driving at speeds greater than 55 m.p.h. with the top of your convertible down creates noise that increases the risk of suffering from loss of hearing. It is advised to drive with the roof top on to avoid this risk.

Among the cars used for the study was the 2009 Saturn Sky Red Line, a 2004 Nissan 350z, a 2001 Porsche 911 C4, 2005 Saab Aero Convertible (illustrated above) and finally a 2005 Ford Mustang GT.

The cars were all driven with the tops down and the windows open while taking measurements of the noise at speeds of 55, 65 and 75 m.p.h. The benchmark was that of 85 decibels which according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health is an “excessive noise exposure.”

The results showed that all of the vehicles when driven past 55 m.p.h. showed a noise level of at least 85 decibels which puts you in an increased risk of suffering from hearing loss and hearing damage. If you own a convertible, keep the top up, to avoid these negative effects. Visit your local Miami hearing center for more information on how take care of your Hearing health.