Onchan based hearing health specialists Manx Hidden Hearing have announced that they will be equipping popular TT rider Dan Kneen with specialist ear protectors for this year’s TT races. Twenty-three year old Dan Kneen has been racing since 2005 and has an impressive string of races under his belt. As a Manx born and bred rider, he is particularly popular with local fans of the TT. He commented: “I’d really like to thank Manx Hidden Hearing for their support; as racers we really do take safety seriously and, as in this case, that can mean more than just thick leathers. The experts at Hidden Hearing also tell me that these protectors will even have the added benefit of reducing the effects of fatigue, which on a track as long as the TT course can impact on performance.” Ignoring the risks of ambient riding noise can result in problems like tinnitus, with noise levels during riding often being on a par with standing next to an amp at a concert or using a chainsaw. The roar of the engine is just one source of noise; in fact the most common cause of hearing loss on a motorbike is wind noise, which at high speeds can reach 117 decibels. Repeated exposure to noises above 105 DB can cause long term damage, but earplugs offer a way to mitigate this effect. Manager of Manx Hidden Hearing Guy Wolstencroft commented: “Many people find traditional ear plugs difficult to insert or uncomfortable, and you don’t want to be thinking about your ear plugs when you’re screaming around the TT course at over 120 mph. The protectors we are fitting Dan with won’t have either of these problems. We will mould them especially to suit his ear shape, so that they will be able to comfortably and effectively block his ear canals.” Guy continued: “It isn’t just TT riders that should consider ear protection. All bike riders are at risk, but then so are the rest of us: MP3 players and DIY tools can be just as bad. If you spend a lot of time around loud noises and ever experience ringing in your ears or ‘stuffy’ or ‘dull’ fearing in your ears after hearing them, you could be at risk and should consider looking into ear protectors.” Manx Hidden Hearing has a clinic at the Village Walk shopping precinct in Onchan, and offers free hearing consultations on request. A 10% discount is offered to all ACU Licence holders. -ends-