Does bass damage hearing? Edit: Perhaps I have found the answer.

[Ultima]

We all know that repeated exposure to high-frequency noise (industrial, traffic, other) will damage hearing if loud enough, but what about bass?

If I had a sub in my car and had the treble part at a reasonable volume (85dB) but had the sub playing at, say, 120dB, would my hearing get damaged? Bass doesn't seem to "hurt" as much. So does anyone know more about this? My friend has two 10's in his car and says that whenever he blasts it he always has a ton of earwax in his ears the next morning. Just looking for some insight.

Edit:

I found this.

Also,

To provide a basis for determining safe sound-pressure levels, OSHA has established the following guidelines:
For sound-pressure levels of 90 dBA (A-weighted decibels), the maximum allowable continuous exposure time is eight hours. For every 5-dB increase in SPL, the allowable exposure time is cut in half. Note that OSHA regulations prohibit exposure of any duration to sound-pressure levels above 115 dBA unless hearing protection is used.

So, I guess use the C scale to calibrate the stereo and use the A scale to see if it is at dangerous levels?

 

[Scipionix]

Yes. Loud bass is just as damaging and can be more dangerous because it does not seem as loud. Listening to loud anything is not good for your hearing.

 

[crawford]

ive heard that if doesnt affect you as much when youre young, but when you get old youll pay for it. i love tons of bass so i guess we'll see.....

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: crawford
ive heard that if doesnt affect you as much when youre young, but when you get old youll pay for it. i love tons of bass so i guess we'll see.....

Yep.... that's usually how it works.. heh.. :frown:

 

[wfbberzerker]

i figure when i get old and the hearing starts to go, theyll have surgury by then that will fix it.

 

[Omegachi]

is it worse if you use earphones? since the sound is going directly into your eardrums.

 

[IGBT]

Even the thump mobile owners can't stand the excessive sub harmonic very long..they eventually turn the volume down due to sonic fatigue. Seems to be an attention getting personality quirk. thumpthmpthumpthumpthumpthump......hear I come..there I go..thunmthump.

 

[erikiksaz]

Originally posted by: Omegachi
is it worse if you use earphones? since the sound is going directly into your eardrums.

Pressure in your ear is the same as the pressure outside of your ear. Err, hopefully you know what i mean.

 

[Mani]

I have heard that bass is not nearly as hard on the ears as higher pitched tones, not sure though.

 

[StattlichPassat]

I've been really bad about cranking my car stereo lately- I worry about my hearing sometimes, but mostly it's bass, not treble.

 

[Scipionix]

Originally posted by: Mani
I have heard that bass is not nearly as hard on the ears as higher pitched tones, not sure though.

Sound waves is sound waves. Do you really want to risk permanent hearing loss? Just keep the volume down.

 

[QTPie]

it's true. One of my professors has hearing problem because he listened to loud music when he was young.

 

[OneSyberTroop]

Treble is what gets ya, from what I hear.

 

[Bluefront]

Exposure to any loud noise is bad for your ears. Some people are affected less than others...but the risk is still there. Hoping for some future cure-all for hearing loss is pretty stupid. Listing to loud music is one noise you can avoid. Treat it like smoking...just don't do it.

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: Scipionix

Originally posted by: Mani
I have heard that bass is not nearly as hard on the ears as higher pitched tones, not sure though.

Sound waves is sound waves. Do you really want to risk permanent hearing loss? Just keep the volume down.

Just trying to answer the question. For the record, I don't listen to music loud, I kinda like being able to hear stuff.

 

[Red Dawn]

What?

 

[Electric Amish]

BAH!

You kids with your over-use of bass.

You claim to be audiophiles yet you drowned out all the highs.

amish

 

[Servnya]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
BAH!

You kids with your over-use of bass.

You claim to be audiophiles yet you drowned out all the highs.

amish

Careful there with the stereotyping! I happen to like really strong bass also, but the mids and highs are just as important! Pink Floyd just wouldn't sound right without the full freq range.

 

[kami]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
BAH!

You kids with your over-use of bass.

You claim to be audiophiles yet you drowned out all the highs.

amish

Nothin wrong with some strong bass, it is what makes a movie on DVD IMO! But hehe... having your sub pump out an extra 35db IS ridiculous. You aren't one of those people that drive around with a sub so loud that your entire car vibrates are you? God I hate those people

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: kami

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
BAH!

You kids with your over-use of bass.

You claim to be audiophiles yet you drowned out all the highs.

amish

Nothin wrong with some strong bass, it is what makes a movie on DVD IMO! But hehe... having your sub pump out an extra 35db IS ridiculous. You aren't one of those people that drive around with a sub so loud that your entire car vibrates are you? God I hate those people

Movies are a completely different subject than just listening to music.

amish

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

Originally posted by: kami

Originally posted by: Electric Amish
BAH!

You kids with your over-use of bass.

You claim to be audiophiles yet you drowned out all the highs.

amish

Nothin wrong with some strong bass, it is what makes a movie on DVD IMO! But hehe... having your sub pump out an extra 35db IS ridiculous. You aren't one of those people that drive around with a sub so loud that your entire car vibrates are you? God I hate those people

Movies are a completely different subject than just listening to music.

amish

Music without enough bass sounds tinny, and without enough treble, it sounds muttled and dull. An extreme amount of both is always welcome in my opinion

 

[Cattlegod]

look at it this way.

when you start to lose hearing, it starts at the high freqencies ( instead of a cap of 20khz it drops to 15khz, or less depending on the damage).

so this means you still get to hear your bass when you get older and don't have to worry about hearing your wife complain about it

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: crawford
ive heard that if doesnt affect you as much when youre young, but when you get old youll pay for it. i love tons of bass so i guess we'll see.....

Yep.... that's usually how it works.. heh.. :frown:

NO! That is NOT how it works. :Q Hearing loss from exposure to high sound levels is cumulative. The more your exposure, the greater the damage. When I see (or hear) people driving around with their windows up and their cars rumbling from loud music, I know they're in for a future of impared hearing. The same is true for exposure in loud concert venues and from playing music too loud through earphones.

If your ears are ringing after you listen, you have already done some damage. Please trust me on this. I am an audio professional. If you want to continue to enjoy music, or even simple conversation, as you grow older, protect your hearing, NOW!

 

[Jzero]

If your ears are ringing after you listen, you have already done some damage. Please trust me on this. I am an audio professional. If you want to continue to enjoy music, or even simple conversation, as you grow older, protect your hearing, NOW!

I'm not an audio professional, but I agree wholeheartedly. I go to many many concerts each year, and I am an earplug junkie. I don't understand why people believe that "LOUD" and "SOUNDS GOOD" are somehow connected.

 

[Derango]

By the way...it will sound like crap if you had the trebble at 85db and the bass at 120. You won't be able to hear the trebble.

The only thing you'd hear would be.. *boom**boom**boom**boom**boom**boom**boom**boom**boom* over and over again.