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Hearing loss Temporary or more permanent?

Hi there So I got my system reasonably dialed enough to impress most folks (Which isnt saying much) I happen to have my system with my computer in the center for use as a media server and have my speakers just about a meter in front of me while I am at the computer and about 3 Meters at my Listening seat and am curious. I have been playing my music louder and louder lately and am noticing a temporary hearing loss that comes right back (Very minimal but I can feel it in my ears) I have done this before but my system has never sounded THIS clean and am now holding back to make certain I preserve one my most important sense aside from the all important Spider Sense

At what point and for how long playing music at not exeptionally loud (Nothing compared to the horrible car sytems I endured being stuck in for long times as a teenager) Any way its a valid question as I really want to preserve my hearing and I really want to rock out. I can go get A DB Meter if that helps. Thanks a million Toby
systembuilder
kenyonbm
140 posts
 
I took my GenRad Decibel Meter to a Schubert concert, piano and 4 tenors, no amplification.

From the 4th row, they had no problem sustaining 85db.

Of course, the subway ride in averaged 98db with peaks of 103+db

My ear,nose,and throat guy recommends no more than 85 db.

Hearing loss is forever.

Ken
ryder
946 posts
 
FWIW my ENT specialist told me not to listen to music past 90dB when I went for a checkup. Obviously she does not have a hifi system at home.

Anyway back to some seriousness, do take care of your ears if you want to preserve your hearing until your old age. Although I occasionally like my music loud I try not to listen past 95dB at prolonged listening sessions. 80-85dB average would be good. If higher SPLs are preferred, do check the standards from OSHA or other similar guidelines for recommended duration of exposure.
dbphd
1,058 posts
 
One caveat when using the OSHA guidelines is the lobbying that goes into setting them. It costs money to make the workplace quieter. I'd be inclined to use a few dB under the guidelines or to shorten my exposure time. I attended a gathering of audiophiles at a high-end shop in soCal, and in the room with the most expensive stuff the attendees wanted the level so high I left, because it was uncomfortable.

db
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
Great advice Elizabeth. I too use a Shack digital meter and keep it handy for listening. For longer listening sessions, I adjust the volume so that the peaks (max setting, C weighted, fast response) hit just on 80. This way I know I am not doing any damage; I can relax and listen without worry. And I find that, after a few minutes, my ears take on increased sensitivity and "ramp up" their gain so that the preceived loudness increases with time.
bifwynne
2,069 posts
 
Dbphd: Your comments make a lot of sense. Take a look at the excerpt I clipped from Wikipedia, which discussed the difference in using a 3db versus 5db exchange rate. The difference in listening threshold is quite significant.

For example, under the OSHA guidelines (which I believe are based on a 5db exchange rate), if the SPL is: (a) 90db, the recommended duration is 8 hours; and (b) 115 db, the recommended duration is 15 minutes or less. By contrast, as illustrated in the Wikipedia excerpt (presumably based on a 3db exchange rate), if the SPL is: (a) 90 db, the recommended duration is only 2 hours; and (b) 115db, 30 seconds!!!

So, last night I kept the SPL meter on while listening to various types of music. It required some discipline not to raise the gain, but I'm a believer now.
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