Are your listening levels healthy? Doing damage?

Very interesting to read all the comments. I think spending money on a quality sound pressure meter with a calibration device makes sense and very worthwhile.  Reed Instruments seems good.

Surprised no one has discussed keeping their ears clean. I had some blockage a couple years ago and I applied sweet oil daily for a while and that softened things up and got rid of the problem.  When you chew food the movement tends to be a self cleansing mechanism for the ear canal area. Also flowing warm water from a shower to the ear area is helpful.

Also I take metoprolol, a heart medication, and side effects are tinitus.

@hartf36 

Being an industrial hygienist sounds very exciting. Thank you for your wonderful reply.

I downloaded many apps on my iPad and Niosh is one of them. I get variations of 20 to 30 dB between the apps.  Normal talking volume into my iPad scores about 90 Db on the Niosh ap. And normal TV volume is about 85.  seems high.

I think there is great need for a calibration device when I buy a sound meter. Can you recommend one for about $200 Plus calibration which I view as essential.

Thank you very much. A very very important topic. Thanks

@orthomead 

I’m planning to launch a lawn scaping business that advertises getting your lawn care taken care of without all the noise. My current landscaper is forbidden from using at least blower, and that took a little effort, but I think he’s happier

My fleet of trucks will consist of battery powered Grass cutting machines (plenty of batteries to make it through the day). My crew will no longer use leaf blower’s except in the fall and during first visit in spring. I will teach my lawn crew to use a broom, what a novel concept.

You won’t even notice us.

In our current period of existence, lawn scaping services are proliferating with crappy and noisy commercial Grass cutting machines with very dull blades that are awful for your lawn. And don’t forget multiple revving leaf blower’s throughout the ordeal of getting your lawn done. And of course your neighbors do the same thing. It’s getting very very noisy out there. Most of the time I can’t hold a conversation in my yard because of nonstop leaf blower’s revving. How did we ever come to this.

I plan to make a lot of money with my new lawn care service (maybe as much as an orthopedic surgeon), and it’ll be a bonus for the environment.

Thanks, don't understand the microphone size issue.

Curious to know the price on this meter and the calibrator.  I checked and saw prices all over the map, one was $2100