Alternator whine

[Konrad]

I just got new hearing aids and immediately began hearing a high-pitched whining sound when riding my 2006 GL1800 Roadsmith trike. Having never heard that sound before I was certain something was seriously out of whack. Off to the trike-builder who specializes in Honda conversions and service. He rode it and advised it's alternator whine and my bike was just "average" sound-wise while many were considerably louder. He also advised there are no adjustments as the alternator is not belt-driven.

Short of turning off my hearing aids (which I'm glad are picking up sounds I haven't heard before) are the rest of you experiencing this whine and if so have you been able to mollify, modify or subdue it in any way? Or is it something you just have to get used to?

 

[mhgoldwing]

My '06 1800 with Roadsmith also has fair amount of alternator whine. Personally, I like it; almost sounds like a turbo spooling up.

My wife also has hearing aids (doesn't wear them on bike) but I know her's are frequency adjustable. You might have your hearing aide vendor play around to tune out that annoying frequency or at least reduce volume while riding if you need them on.

 

[Nauga Mok]

Quite possibly, your hearing aids are switching into "T coil" which is a function that helps a whole bunch when using the telephone. What happens is the hearing aids shut off the mikes so you don't hear normal sounds & sends you only electronic sounds. Mine work great with my head set. I can actually hear the music at 70 mph, but they DO pick up alternator sounds as well. In the winter, they also pick up the Gerbing temp controler at certain settings, which is annoying 'cause it's loud.

Talk to your audiologist. He/She might be able to set up a special setting on your aids for riding or at least minimize what you're hearing now. My audiologists have been great in working with me by developing special settings for riding or retuning the aids to get what I want to hear.
NM

 

[Konrad]

Thanks for those suggestions about having the audiologist adjust the "ears" to screen out the high-pitched "spooling-up-turbo", Gonna have to do that or turn 'em off when I ride!

 

[johnnie1]

My Goldwing has the same noise, so did my old one. Seems to be normal. Ride Safe.