Noise levels inside the cab

[Mike521]

How noisy is it inside the cab with the windows up both from the engine and from road noise? Is it loud enough to be able to cause eventual hearing loss? In some of the Youtube videos I've looked at it seems pretty loud and in others, not so much. I've heard that the newer trucks have sound insulation that keeps it fairly quiet. I like quiet.

[NJTrkr]

What?

Sorry couldn't resist.

[Larry Heyns]

A noise level preventing normal conversation for hours and hours will damage your hearing. If you add a radio, CB or CD, your environment is even louder. In a factory, you would be required to use hearing protection. In a truck, simply turn off your hearing aids.

[Mr. Ford95]

The noise level inside my truck is horribly loud. Then again it has very little sound insulation. I don't answer my phone going down the road, not just because it's dangerous but I can't hear the other person so it's a waste to answer it.

[mdf1576]

its pretty loud in a mack daycab, sleeper no so much

[Malaki86]

In my Volvo, I can have a normal conversation either on the phone or with my wife when she rides with me without any problem.

[HWD]

Some trucks are "louder" than others, but in no case should the ambient noise level inside the cab be enough to cause premature hearing loss. The better insulated and tighter the cab "seals up" is the main factor.

The other thing you have to remember is the microphones on those camcorders tend to concentrate and amplify noise they're picking up, so you will get an impression of more noise than there is actually is in there as a result.

The noisiest in the cab truck I ever drove was the 1989 Kenworth K100E I drove on my last gig as a truck driver. Hottest too, since I was sitting over the engine...a big plus in winter though!

[Syncrosonix]

with the new 09' volvo swift assigned me with a couple weeks back. the noise level is much lower than the previous 05' volvo i had. while i'm driving, it's still much more quiet. i can finally sleep in this new truck. the old one's engine noise was a bit too much, and it didn't help having cabinets inside that would rattle non-stop.

[Orangetxguy]

WHAY WAS THAT YOU JUST SAID??


Hearing loss is accumulative. I'm 51...my hearing loss started in 1970........when I drove my first farm tractor.

Over the years...I have driven some pretty loud trucks, worked some very loud equipment..and I have worked in some very loud exterior enviroments as well, refineries, chemical plants, power plants and on oil wells.

Standing beside a busy city street is bad for your hearing. It isn't the loud noise......it is the ultra-low frequency that bites you.

[Colts Fan]

We primarily drive 05 Columbias (daycabs) and even though they are all the same model, some are louder than others. It seems that those daycabs have no insulation whatsoever. They are very loud, plus it seems that even though the window is rolled all the way up, it still has a nice whistle. Not to mention leaky windshields.

The most quiet truck I drove was the 09 Int'l Prostar with a sleeper. Talk about a smooth ride. I was quiet like a Cadillac compared to those daycabs.

My next door neighbor is an audiologist. I'll ask her if cab noise can cause hearing loss.

[ohiomohawk]

I took one of those hearing test in one of those mobile units and the guy told me that truck drivers often show more hearing damage in the left ear due to driving with the window down for long periods of time.

[Larry Heyns]

Perhaps today's drivers will not experience as much hearing loss as the old-timers. I drove Cracker Box Jimmies powered by two-cycle Detroit Diesels. During a lunch break, I could not hear the waitress until it was time to order dessert. Mack came out with their Maxidyne and 5-speed. The turbo had a whistle that was really irritating. A deer warning device can also be very irritating if it is mounted near the driver's window. Some of the highway noise we hear today is from the tires. Tread designs trap and release air against the pavement.

[Orangetxguy]

Perhaps today's drivers will not experience as much hearing loss as the old-timers. I drove Cracker Box Jimmies powered by two-cycle Detroit Diesels. During a lunch break, I could not hear the waitress until it was time to order dessert. Mack came out with their Maxidyne and 5-speed. The turbo had a whistle that was really irritating. A deer warning device can also be very irritating if it is mounted near the driver's window. Some of the highway noise we hear today is from the tires. Tread designs trap and release air against the pavement.

Hey now...Those old 92's weren't that bad. Way better than the 3208 cat's. Maybe not so good as the 77's, definately better than the old Binder 549's.

Now...the Maxi's...those were a real screammin meemie!! Almost as loud as the old Allison's.


The Allison's let folks know they were coming for miles, before the truck got there....but damned if the truck wasn't flying when it went by. Mostly Autocar trucks had those...engine compartment and hood design worked for them and all the crap behind em.

[Mackman]

I drive a 06 mack granite and it is not bad at all. But when that fan kicks on you can hear it for miles. Alot of guys think trucks aint loud enought thats y they stright pipe them. If i was aO/O that would be the 1st thing i do is throw them junk mufflers away.

[Colts Fan]

I took one of those hearing test in one of those mobile units and the guy told me that truck drivers often show more hearing damage in the left ear due to driving with the window down for long periods of time.

I just talked to my neighbor the audiologist. She says that she fits hearing aides quite often for old truck drivers. Like you said mohawk, there is more hearing loss in the left ear due to the window being down.

[Orangetxguy]

I took one of those hearing test in one of those mobile units and the guy told me that truck drivers often show more hearing damage in the left ear due to driving with the window down for long periods of time.

I just talked to my neighbor the audiologist. She says that she fits hearing aides quite often for old truck drivers. Like you said mohawk, there is more hearing loss in the left ear due to the window being down.

Say whut??? I gotta turn my ear..the right one ain't wurkin so guud!

[Kranky]

In my Volvo, I can have a normal conversation with my wife when she rides with me.

You, sir, definitely need straight pipes.

[Mike521]

For those of you that drive loud trucks and care about preserving your hearing, even if you already have some hearing loss, you should consider buying some disposable foam ear plugs. They can be comfortably worn for long periods of time whether driving or sleeping. The same pair can be worn until they start to get dirty which usually takes several days. They are inexpensive and are sold at Walmart among other places. They don't totally block out noise but cut the sound down to safe and comfortable levels. And they are preferable to the hearing aides you may end up wearing if you don't use them. It's just a thought.

[Orangetxguy]

For those of you that drive loud trucks and care about preserving your hearing, even if you already have some hearing loss, you should consider buying some disposable foam ear plugs. They can be comfortably worn for long periods of time whether driving or sleeping. The same pair can be worn until they start to get dirty which usually takes several days. They are inexpensive and are sold at Walmart among other places. They don't totally block out noise but cut the sound down to safe and comfortable levels. And they are preferable to the hearing aides you may end up wearing if you don't use them. It's just a thought.

I don't need to "buy" no cheap-o foam ear plugs!!

Every single plant I go into, has them available to me for FREE!!! Some of these plants give out some really classey ear plugs too!

You should only wear foam plugs for the one day of use. You risk severe ear infections using them over and over.

[BanditsCousin]

I never drive with my windows down on the highway. It only took one big bug on my cheek to end that practice :shock: