This is an important topic for all of us. I have Decibel x on my iphone and try to keep below 85db, minus occasional peaks in low 90s. I have used the app for a lot of day to day sounds and have been stunned. Riding in traffic is close to 85 dbs. The background noise on an airplane is frequently above 80 dbs. Think of the time exposure of that! Our world is surprisingly noisy. We have to remember that all sounds through our days are additive to what we expose ourselves to while listening. I've been practicing orthopaedic surgery for 34 years and just recently has our academy put out warnings of potential hearing loss as a result of operating room noise. There are earplugs made by etyplugs that lower the volume without the sensation of muffling. These are great for live noisy venues as it serves as a means to preserve the sound quality, but at a lower level. I have been using these in the operating room for several years and on flights, when I remember to bring them home.
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?
Showing 2 responses by orthomead
@emergingsoul Best of luck on your new business adventure. I'm sure many homeowners will be interested in a low noise lawn service. |