Driving A Convertible Can Affect Your Hearing

Sunday, 6. February 2011

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How’s your hearing? Not so good if you drive a drop top car according to the incredibly titled (big breath) St Louis University School Of Medicine and the Ear Institute of Texas. Their research showed that if drivers travel regularly with the top down at more than 55 miles per annum their ears are subjected to unsafe noise levels created by air turbulence and tyres on the road. They tested 5 drop heads including a Nissan 350Z, Porsche 911 and Saab 9-3. Of the cars available in the UK the 350Z was the worst culprit measuring 95.3db at 75mph. This compares to the noise level at a loud rock concert of 110-120db (a good reason not to go in my opinion). So the best advice is pretend you’re an F1 driver and stick some good ear plugs in your ears before thrashing the convertible with the hood down. Anyone experienced ear pain whilst driving a convertible? By Graham Hill