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Are your listening levels healthy? Doing damage?

Do you know decibel levels when listening to your system, and how loud do you go?

Since upgrading my system, again, I find my listening levels have tended to increase. Not because I'm slowly going deaf but because it's more enjoyable.

I measured the decibel level with a few iPad Apps, and there was lots of disparity. Plus or minus 25 dB. 

Certainly if it's too loud I sense things are not healthy but I'd really like to know how loud things are since Google tells me prolonged listening above 70 dB could be damaging my hearing.

The apps on an iPad are clearly unreliable and now I have to contemplate spending several hundred dollars for a sound meter as well as a calibration device so I can know what my limits are and so I can be in compliance with Google.

Anyone know a good sound meter, and do most serious listeners get one of these things?

 

emergingsoul

Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
6,465 posts
 

I typically listen at 65 to 70db with peaks to 75db. 
 

The caution is that over 85db for eight or more hours can cause hearing damage, 88db for 4 hours, 91 db for 2 hours. 70 db or under is OK for as long as you want. 
 

So, unless you are into headbanging volumes you are probably good. 
 

 

ghdprentice
6,465 posts
 

Cleaning ears comes up on other posts. Many of use clean them periodically. There are also warm water ear cleaning devices that attach to the faucet. My doctor has one and you can buy them on line.

 

I have a couple SPL devices… but just use my Iphone. Typically only to occationally mention the volume on a forum post.

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