Aha, daar heb je het al! Driving a convertible? Your hearing may be at risk October 11, 2009 18:00 CET SYDNEY (Reuters) -- Driving a convertible with the roof down might be exhilarating, but it could also damage your hearing, according to British scientists. In a study conducted using seven different convertibles on British motorways, researchers measured the noise levels when driving at speeds of 50, 60, and 70 mph (80, 97 and 113kph). They found at those speeds that drivers are consistently exposed to between 88 and 90 decibels, with a high of 99 due to a combination of noise from road surfaces, traffic congestion and the wind. There was no marked difference between different models of cars. The noise level of normal conversation is 60 decibels. "Long or repeated exposure to sounds over 85 decibels is widely recognized to cause permanent hearing loss," said researcher Philip Michael, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Britain. "While motorcyclists are well versed in using ear protection, this study highlights that drivers of convertible automobiles may also be at risk of noise-induced hearing loss." The research was presented to a meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation and published in the medical journal Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery. Misschien is er een gezamenlijke inkoop te doen bij: www.beterhoren.nl :fiew: