safe hearing volumes

[hairygorillaz]

So you mean something like loudness is relative and not absolute?

[wei]

Something like that..

Hearing damage is physical damage.. When your ear is being exposed to too-high sound levels, it is like it's being beaten up. Hence, we are concerned about the absolute sound intensity, which can be measured in physical quantities. There is a recommended limit, which is a maximum of 85 dBA for no more than 8 hours a day.

This fixed physical quantity 85 dBA can be perceived as different loudnesses by different people under different conditions. It might sound too loud to one, while sounding not loud enough to another. The latter is in trouble, because he will increase the sound intensity to the point where it sounds loud enough to him. By then, it will be past the safe limit.

[wei]

Practically, there are a few things we can do to protect our hearing.

First of all is 'common sense'. This is the term that's often used in the instruction manuals of audio products when talking about hearing safety! And it's true - it might feel satisfying listening to grunge at head-banging levels or even classical at concert-hall levels, but somehow we will just know it inside us that.. perhaps we are risking it.. Unfortunately, if one's hearing is already damaged, the 'common sense' level might already be higher-than-safe.

Beyond that, there are devices known as limiters. These are external units more commonly found in the broadcast/production industry. They can be calibrated to the specific headphone you are using. Volume limiters on players are not the same. They limit the gain of the headphone out only. They won't protect the hearer from the sudden unexpected loud passage in the music. Hardware limiters can.

[hairygorillaz]

Can I hook a limiter onto my iPod?

How much would one cost?

[kishua]

isn't that inbuilt?

i've always listened to my music at extremely low volumes and used IEMs for the longest of times...but i still have tinnitus putting me into a quiet room can be extremely annoying

[wei]

Can I hook a limiter onto my iPod?

How much would one cost?

I don't really know of such products in the consumer range. Here's a nice catalogue of broadcast-grade limiters: http://www.canford.co.uk/commerce/resources/catdetails/2864.pdf

Additionally, Chu Moy (of Cmoy fame) shows how to build a DIY limiter for your headphone amp: http://www.headwize.com/projects/limiter_prj.htm

[Fuzzy Fuzzbucket]

isn't that inbuilt?

i've always listened to my music at extremely low volumes and used IEMs for the longest of times...but i still have tinnitus putting me into a quiet room can be extremely annoying

hey hey me too... i hate going to basements or anywhere real quiet. there will be like i reall loud high pitched thingy buzzing in my ears. real annoying. i happen to play in guitar ensembles and chinese orchestra. the orchestra is a really loud place though in real life 

[hairygorillaz]

Same. I have that same problem. Even though i listen at ungodly low volumes

[hairygorillaz]

isn't that inbuilt?

i've always listened to my music at extremely low volumes and used IEMs for the longest of times...but i still have tinnitus putting me into a quiet room can be extremely annoying

Like he said above, the one inbuilt limits the headphone out. Sometimes a track will be remarkably loud.

[Napsack]

The recommended loudness is around 85db - 89db. CD volume is normally around 90-96 db.

The easiest but yet tough to practice (depends on person) is to be true to yourself, anytime you feel pain or hurt or something weird to your ear or your eye sight (using IEM which doesn't have good air flow = no natural pressure relief, sometime it causes dizziness)

[hairygorillaz]

Can I hook a limiter onto my iPod?

How much would one cost?

I don't really know of such products in the consumer range. Here's a nice catalogue of broadcast-grade limiters: http://www.canford.co.uk/commerce/resources/catdetails/2864.pdf

Additionally, Chu Moy (of Cmoy fame) shows how to build a DIY limiter for your headphone amp: http://www.headwize.com/projects/limiter_prj.htm

Any commercial limiter for sale in singapore? Cheap one....

[kishua]

Sighs why do we have ringing in our ears...

Sadly its also permenant

[wei]

I just got a new pair of AT M50, so I thought I'd comment a bit on this topic again.

The isolation of these cans are pretty good, but IEMs provide better.

With M50: When in the office, I only need 20/40 on the Meizu M6's volume. On the train, I need 30-40 to attain the same level of enjoyment.

That means that on the train, I'd be pounding my ears with almost double the amount of pressure (assuming the M6's volume control is linear) in order to fight the noise.

With my X3, I can put them on in the office, walk to the station, get on the train, get to my destination, without having to adjust the volume much. If I have to, it'll just be by a little, maybe 2-3 notches.

IEMs are healthy for ears. They're good solely because they nearly eliminate the need to increase output levels to compete with environment noise. Of course, if you are blastin', then they're no use anyway.

How close the drivers are to the eardrums is little matter, it's how much pressure are being exerted on them.

[stwessed]

http://vr-zone.com/articles/download-logitech-s-ultimate-ears-iphone-app-from-itunes-store/8092.html?doc=8092

[heavenflames]

i only turn vol to 20 or below for my meizu m6 with bijou3 even when in mrt or bus