So, what is that relationship? In mathematical terms, every doubling of distance between you and a sound source results in a 6 dB reduction in volume. Understanding how volume changes in relation to your distance from the sound source is important here. It is not enough to simply say that loud volume is the culprit in a lot of hearing loss cases. There are some specific implications with regard to volume, proximity and frequency which are important to understand as well: Volume & Proximity: This prolonged and repeated exposure is where hearing damage can and does happen. You start getting into trouble however when, after having damaged your ears you continue to expose yourself to loud sounds without proper hearing protection. Without further damage, tinnitus typically takes from a few minutes up to a day or two to subside without any further noticeable effects. Tinnitus occurs when little hair-like receptors, called cilia, in the inner ear are damaged. It is important not to confuse tinnitus with hearing loss though, as the ringing sound is a pretty good warning sign that any additional exposure to loud sounds could lead to hearing loss. I wrote a pretty lengthy article about tinnitus (that sensation of ringing in your ears) specifically for drummers, in which I go into detail about what causes this phenomenon. It’s a shame really because this type of loss is so easily preventable by just wearing hearing protection, but that is a point of debate for another post. This is precisely why you find that workers in various industrial settings (who are not compliant with OSHA regulations) suffer from hearing loss. Put very simply, while there are a few disease related causes for hearing loss, it is generally due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds. See, I told it wasn’t a straightforward answer! Let’s dig into the details, shall we? The Basics of Hearing Loss At Various Volumes and Frequencies Having said that, it’s really not just about volume but also the frequency of sounds you are experiencing as the human ear isn’t equally receptive to all frequency ranges. The louder the drums and the closer you are to the sound source, the more the danger increases of temporary or permanent damage to your ears. Surprisingly, the answer isn’t quite as clear cut as you might think.Ī drummer playing at almost any volume can cause hearing loss, especially if you are exposed to the sound for any significant amount of time at relatively close proximity without wearing any hearing protection. I have answered this particular question quite a bit in my teaching career as many parents of drum students have come to me with this exact question.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |