How loud is too loud?

[Morgan D]

What will cause hearing damage? Above 85db?

 

[Danathepill]

I’m guessing all those shows you use to go to and your ears would still be ringing the next morning. I’d say that’s when damage was taking place. So 120dB’s? If you’re asking about how loud you pay your stereo I can handle maybe 100dB’s for a song but only after I’ve been drinking some tasty cocktails and a great Hall and Oats song comes on

 

[Morgan D]

Yea, that is why I wanted to ask you guys. According to doctors you really shouldn't go above 85db for long periods of time. I think everybody is listening too loud. I know I sound old . I was there in the early Metallica days and I think I did damage my hearing.

 

[Condorsat]

My headphone listening is 70dbl peak .. I use SPL meter < Video how I measure

My mains rig is about 65 to 70 dbl peak (@ my listening chair) .. on my 2.1 channel (Polk Audio LsIM 703's sound really good at that level .. plenty loud enough)
When I was running my Kef Q100's ... it had to be 80dbl peak for the magic to happen.

 

[Morgan D]

I’m guessing all those shows you use to go to and your ears would still be ringing the next morning. I’d say that’s when damage was taking place. So 120dB’s? If you’re asking about how loud you pay your stereo I can handle maybe 100dB’s for a song but only after I’ve been drinking some tasty cocktails and a great Hall and Oats song comes on

I do this with SANTANA

 

[GChief]

[29 CFR 1910.95(i)(1)], OSHA requires that: Employers shall make hearing protectors available to all employees exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater at no cost to the employees. Hearing protectors shall be replaced as necessary.

We listen at mid 80's with peaks into the mid 90's when sitting down for a critical listen.

 

[raycarr00]

I drop the volume once my ears start to ring and feel pain. I now do low volume. No headphones. Screaming women at concerts is painful. Block parties can be too loud.

 

[Bill S]

Same here. 80s most of the time but I will bump it up to 95 or more for a song or 2 when the "mood" strikes and wife is out.

 

[goodolpg]

Once it's gone, it's gone.

 

[bluesky]

Louder than over mid-medium volume.

On a scale of 1 to 10 ... 5 is even too high. 3.5 to 4 is better

With the house quiet, like when your in bed going to sleep, if you start hearing crickets... watch out!! The volume was set way too high.

 

[grillebilly]

When the Mrs. is screaming at you to turn that **** down, and you can't hear her, it's probably too loud.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

 

[izeek11]

When the Mrs. is screaming at you to turn that **** down, and you can't hear her, it's probably too loud.

you can still hear her so not loud enough?

 

[izeek11]

iono. 80ish, maybe. at that point i cant listen for too long.
70-80 is about right for me.
my jbls start really singing about 70.

 

[Condorsat]

I've always worn ear protection at live music events .. unless the event is not that loud (which is rare).
Also wear ear muffs when mowing the lawn. Why?

 

[OBMG74]

To not further damage my hearing or irritate my tinnitus, I listen around 55db average.

 

[RVT1K]

I tend to listen to music on the loud side but never to the point of ringing in my ears or pain.

I wasn't as diligent with hearing protection when I was younger than I am now.

Ear muffs were kept on the steering wheel of my lawn tractor before we moved and I also used them with the push mower and string trimmer. I would always double-up at the shooting range..ear plugs and ear muffs. I also always wore ear plugs when riding my motorcycle to reduce wind noise.

 

[parman]

Well there is too loud when the Mrs. is home and then there's too loud when she isn't

 

[E-Stat]

I've always worn ear protection at live music events ..

I stopped attending concerts in my early twenties that required ear plugs. Kinda counter productive for my objective!

 

[JP]

[29 CFR 1910.95(i)(1)], OSHA requires that: Employers shall make hearing protectors available to all employees exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater at no cost to the employees. Hearing protectors shall be replaced as necessary.

We listen at mid 80's with peaks into the mid 90's when sitting down for a critical listen.

In a previous life we had a retail customer that was known for very loud in-store music. They walked the floor with an SPL meter to make sure the music was as close to 84dBA as possible throughout the store without going over.

https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.95