Tag Archive for 'noise'

WHAT? HUH? Pardon Me?

Published on March 5, 2009 in Baby Boomer. 15 Comments Tags: , , .


This post about Tinnitus, which effects many Baby Boomers and will probably effect younger people too, included as an update a test for Can You Hear Like a Teenager.

Musicians have a much higher risk of hearing loss that most people do, and many of us don’t really wear proper hearing protection. Even just listening to an ipod for an extended period of time can permanently damage your hearing. We also gradually lose our high-frequency hearing as we age.

Sound and Noise Addicts added these sound files as an unscientific gauge of your hearing.

If you can’t hear these tones, or aren’t sure, might be worthwhile for you to stick a butter knife in your ear and gouge out the earwax. Or go see a doctor.

And if you like white noise while at the computer,  give this little $5 application a go. (Free evaluation.)

Harley Riders: Will You Just Shut Up!

Published on April 19, 2008 in Baby Boomer, Cars and Empty Nesters. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , .

The city where I live has an ordinance against modifying motorcycle exhaust systems from manufacturer’s original. I’m not positive, but I think this is one of those “look the other way” ordinances. Like spitting on the sidewalk, or that buildings must have posted a “no spitting” sign.

Have you ever heard a quiet Harley? I love the pahrump-pahrump-pahrump of a Harley. What I don’t like is the conversation drowning roar they put out when the owner shows off.

Do they teach you in Harley school to make as much noise as possible in the city limits?

I watched the Teddy Bear run one year (a fund raisers sponsored by Harley owners) and in the block in front of city hall, Every. Single. Harley. gunned it the whole block. As the noise echoed off the Federal building and Courthouse, the police and sheriff officers just smiled.

Here’s a case where Boomers could take a note from Millennials. Even though millennials wouldn’t be caught dead on an American made motorcycle – the Japanese manufacturer’s have learned how to muffle noise without sacrificing performance.

I can say without equivocation: every Harley rider is guilty of making obnoxious sounds every time they ride. Get them in a group and each one has to top the other. Peer pressure run amok.

But since they are Boomer law-breakers, the cops just look the other way.

BTW: these are the same people that just HATE the boom-boom-boom bass blasters coming from car stereos.