Vinkoniggma
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2009
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Good looking out.
Originally Posted by GenKreton /img/forum/go_quote.gif Great information. The links on their safety was a little less than satisfying and I am still struggling with whether or not they are as safe as other styles. I feel like the pressure build-up is more of an issue than the volume. Thoughts? |
Originally Posted by ScarlettD /img/forum/go_quote.gif Specific IEM is quite important for our reference. I myself find the updated IEM list very useful. |
Originally Posted by ClieOS /img/forum/go_quote.gif Technically speaking, volume is pressure. Volume, by definition, is 'sound pressure level (SPL)' measured in decibel. When your ear canal is sealed by the IEM, the volume of air remains constant as long as the seal is maintained (unless your eardrum has hole(s) on it, but that is another story). Since the volume of air is constant, the pressure should remains constant as long as there isn't any other external force (such as the vibration from the transducer). What the transducer does, is to create vibration in the air as sound wave. Like any wave, sound wave has its high and low peaks, meaning positive and negative air pressure. Remember, the pressure can not build up because the transducer does not add more air into the ear canal nor change the volume of air in the ear canal. Once the transducer stops vibrating, the air pressure will go back to the original level, which should be around atmospheric pressure if you seal your ear canal correctly in the first place. What headphones usually damage your hearing, is volume (SPL) and time exposure. Your ear is just like any mechanical device, if you stress it either on workload (volume) or work hour (time exposure), you will damage it (and worst if you stress it on both at the same time). However, you generally can't damage your hearing by headphone because of pressure 'building up' in your ear, unless 1) you already have some very complex medical issue in your ear and not fit to use headphone in any way, 2) your headphone happens to connect to a working air pump when forcefully clamped onto your head, or 3) you are experiencing extremely rapid air pressure change, such as explosive decompression on an airplane or a deep sea submarine, or in close proximity to an explosion - I have my doubt you will be in one of such condition. But if you do, I would think hearing damage from headphone is likely the last thing in your mind. |