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Post by kwarkgebak on Nov 17, 2020 11:21:06 GMT
Ok, suppose I can hear frequencies up to 15kHz. Now, I put on a pair of headphones and play a 20kHz sine @120db SPL. Theoretically a pure signal, so no distortion or so, just content only at 20kHz.
Will my ears be damaged?
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Post by Michael Lawrence on Nov 17, 2020 15:23:44 GMT
A Weighting is a statistically good predictor of sound exposure, which is why it's used by NIOSH, OSHA and WHO for noise induced hearing loss metrics. A 20 kHz pure tone at 120 dB SPL gives an A-Weighted SPL of about 107 dBA, which will reach the NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit in a few minutes. So if you had perfectly healthy hearing, you would quickly end up with not perfectly healthy hearing by doing this. It sounds like what you're really asking is whether energy outside your range of hearing can damage your hearing. The answer is yes, in many cases it can. Not an audiologist and this borders on medical advice so if you have concerns, I would advise you to speak to a licensed audiologist about it. And I definitely recommend against doing any such experiment. Further reading: www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/98-126/pdfs/98-126.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB98126 |
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Post by kwarkgebak on Nov 17, 2020 19:17:52 GMT
Thanks, that's very interesting!
Yes, that is exactly what I meant.
I hadn't heard of NIOSH, OSHA and WHO yet. Found some info about it and will read more.
To me my ears are very precious, so you have my word I won't do any experiments myself ^^
Thanks for your reply.
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Post by Michael Lawrence on Nov 18, 2020 14:08:40 GMT
Thanks, that's very interesting! Yes, that is exactly what I meant. I hadn't heard of NIOSH, OSHA and WHO yet. Found some info about it and will read more. To me my ears are very precious, so you have my word I won't do any experiments myself ^^ Thanks for your reply. Give this guide a look: www.rationalacoustics.com/download/SmaartSPLQuickStartGuide.pdfThe first six pages are focused on how to set up the software but page 7+ is a handy primer on SPL and Exposure metrics. That's a great starting point. Basically OSHA = the threshold of legal liability, NIOSH = what is considered safe. World Health Organization guidance is more focused on recreational listening, you can find more information here: www.who.int/publications/i/item/safe-listening-devices-and-systems-a-who-itu-standard |
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