Ableton Forum

i was thinking about a thing when reading an article about ppl listening to portable music players and hearing loss...

if one uses in ear phones, wouldnt that minimize hearing loss?
my reasoning: in ear => less outside noise => lower volume => less damage

reasonable?

If they kept the volume to a safe level, yes. But many don't. Here in Europe, iPods have their volumes software-restricted to help those who aren't smart enough to keep the volume to a safe level.

Silence wrote:if one uses in ear phones, wouldnt that minimize hearing loss?
my reasoning: in ear => less outside noise => lower volume => less damage

reasonable?

Not really, since (as an example) in-ear earbuds like the ones that come with the iPod do let in a lot more sound than closed headphones that encapsulate the entire ear. Also, based on observations as a frequent train- and bus passenger, earbuds also let a lot of noise *out* into the public, which is right annoying.

Now, more modern and slightly more expensive ear-buds have rubber seals on them, much like some earplugs have, and these insulate a lot better, allowing you to keep the SPLs down.

so how would a pair of Koss The Plug compare to normal phones, better or the same?

Machinate wrote: Now, more modern and slightly more expensive ear-buds have rubber seals on them, much like some earplugs have, and these insulate a lot better, allowing you to keep the SPLs down.

and these will make you deafer quickly... i just got a pair of V-Moda's ears are hurting...

I almost wish i didn't know how to unlimit my volume.

iPod earbuds are NOT in ear headphones by the way. Big difference between ear buds and in-ear monitors. I for one think they do make a huge difference, lower volumes needed for sure. After getting my Shure E2's (and now running E3's), I know I can't go backt o regular ear buds.

Tarekith wrote:iPod earbuds are NOT in ear headphones by the way. Big difference between ear buds and in-ear monitors. I for one think they do make a huge difference, lower volumes needed for sure. After getting my Shure E2's (and now running E3's), I know I can't go backt o regular ear buds.

So are you recommending the Shure in-ear headphones? I was about to buy some this past weekend but passed and bought some monitors.

+1 with Tarekith ...Shure E3's

seriously, look out on these... you WILL go deaf sooner.

in ear phones are VERY concentrated and powerful and with the noise canceling sealing rubber, that's a lot of high pressure air heading right for your earbones

Because the ear phones are in your ear, they don't let any of the sound escape from ear drum, creating a lot of pressure and leading to greater hearing loss than with regular headphones.

Well, we can sit here all day and come up with out little theories ("more seal = more pressure = more ear damage", or "lower volume = less damage plain and simple), but I'd like to see something official, especially from those that say that in-ear phones will do more damage.

Generally you'll listen to music at a much lower volume than with non-sealed headphones, so I like to think that they're better for you. Just sealing your ear off doesn't cause damage, I don't know where you guys got that idea. It's high volumes on the ear drum that cause damage.

MOONLEMON wrote:Well, we can sit here all day and come up with out little theories ("more seal = more pressure = more ear damage", or "lower volume = less damage plain and simple), but I'd like to see something official, especially from those that say that in-ear phones will do more damage.

Generally you'll listen to music at a much lower volume than with non-sealed headphones, so I like to think that they're better for you. Just sealing your ear off doesn't cause damage, I don't know where you guys got that idea. It's high volumes on the ear drum that cause damage.

Eventually damage will occur its just a mater of time and if the sound is travelling directly with no other interference to ur drum it will increase the likelyhood of permanent damage.

That's like saying everything you hear will cause ear damage.

Just bought my 1st ever iPod yesterday (80Gb classic)

I must have freak's ears cos the apple buds just will not stay put at all. They need to be rotated kinda 30 degrees forward on the inside to give any decent bass, but they don't stay there at all.

So I'll just keep using my HD25's. I don't care if I look like a radio operator from U-571.

"Ach!"

"Himmel!"

"Aiiiiieeeeeee!"

You're not missing anything, Apple buds sound awful anyway.