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.

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.

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.

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!

You, sir, definitely need straight pipes.

:lol: :lol:

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.

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