Now I'm not a Doctor either, BUT, I was trained to do hearing tests and sound level testing by the Navy! And I do get annual hearing tests because I work on a Chopper. I started wearing ear plugs on bikes years ago when I did a "not so" scientific study.
I knew there was wind noise but I didn't know how loud until a friend gave me a cheap ear piece radio that had no volume control and I thought it was too loud under normal conditions. One day I plugged it in while riding my bike and I could not hear the radio over the wind noise! With a full face helmet!
Some real information for hearing on a motorcycle. Noise generated on a bike ranges from 95 dBA - 110 dBA
Following Information:
"How Loud is Too Loud? Experts agree that continued exposure to noise above 85 dB over time, will cause hearing loss. To know if a sound is loud enough to damage your ears, it is important to know both the loudness level (measured in decibels, dBA) and the length of exposure to the sound. In general, the louder the noise, the less time required before hearing loss will occur. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (1998), the maximum exposure time at 85 dBA is 8 hours. At 110 dBA, the maximum exposure time is one minute and 29 seconds. If you must be exposed to noise, it is recommended that you limit the exposure time and/or wear hearing protection."
I personally use plugs called "Pillow Soft" get them at Wal-Mart, they are made of silicone or something and they block all the extraneous noise and I can still hear my engine and stuff around. They are the best I have found so far (besides custom fit ones) and stay put and are only around $5 for a box of 12, but I don't use them as the manufacturer suggests and get double because I "stuff" them in my ears like a normal plug. I know, I'm a bad boy, but they work better this way.
Point is, you really need to wear something. Tinnitus or ringing of the ears is a sign of hearing damage (as well as others problems as Grump wisely pointed out) but when it is relational to a ride, better do something about it or you'll pay down the road.
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