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EAR HEALTH
Our ability to hear is amazing. Treat your ears like the precious tools they
are, and they will continue to provide you with exceptional data, as well as a
lifetime of incredible sonic experiences.
In general, do not listen “too loud” or for “too long,” and be attentive to your
own ears. Ringing, discomfort, or sensitivity to high frequencies and treble
may be a signal from your ears that you are pushing them to their limits and
causing irreparable damage.
As a general practice, find what seems to be your preferred listening level
and then adjust the volume down another 10% or more. Surprisingly, your
ears will attune to a slightly lower volume over time, and what seems quiet
at first can be perfect for longer listening periods.
NIHL
NIHL is a preventable condition caused by both one-time and extended
exposure to excessive decibel (dB) levels. This harm to sensitive inner ear
structures is irreversible and people of all ages can be affected. Damage
can happen in a single event or gradually over time. One-time exposure to
an intense “impulse” sound, such as an explosion, or by continued exposure
to loud sounds over 85 decibels can cause harm. Indicators of NIHL include
hearing loss and tinnitus, a condition of sensing constant ringing, buzzing, or
roaring. The NIDCD (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication
Disorders) offers this simple rule of thumb: avoid sound exposure that is
“too loud, too close, or too long.” Here are some general references to sound
levels that occur in everyday life: refrigerator humming (45 dB); normal
conversation (60 dB); city traffic (85 dB); motorcycles (95 dB); an MP3 player
at full volume (105 dB); sirens (120 dB); firecrackers (150 dB).
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