Measuring dB levels of IEMs accurately

[niftymatt]

Recently I purchased a radio shack dB sound meter. I would like to know the most accurate way to measure decibels out of IEMs. Also I read that anything above 85 dB can cause hearing loss, I am pretty sure they mean at very extended periods of time at that volume. Would it be safe to listen at 85-90 dB for 2 hours a day without any hearing loss?

 

[feh1325]

probably bump it down to 65
the best way would be to measure 65 db on a pair of cans like your a900 then lower the volume on your source and estimate the loudness

and when in doubt, turn the volume down

 

[pne]

80 is a good listening level. 65 is way too low, at least for my tastes

 

[Febs]

OSHA Guidelines for Noise Exposure:
Code:

[left] TABLE G-16 - PERMISSIBLE NOISE EXPOSURES (1) ______________________________________________________________ | Duration per day, hours | Sound level dBA slow response ____________________________|_________________________________ | 8...........................| 90 6...........................| 92 4...........................| 95 3...........................| 97 2...........................| 100 1 1/2 ......................| 102 1...........................| 105 1/2 ........................| 110 1/4 or less................| 115 ____________________________|________________________________ Footnote(1) When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. If the sum of the following fractions: C(1)/T(1) + C(2)/T(2) C(n)/T(n) exceeds unity, then, the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the limit value. Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specified noise level, and Tn indicates the total time of exposure permitted at that level. Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.[/left]

Source: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owad...ARDS&p_id=9735

 

[Awk.Pine]

My suggestion is to go to an audiologist, have them measure the SPLs at which you listen to quiet/medium/loud music, and also do a full-spectrum hearing test. Repeat the hearing test every year, so that you can be proactive if you do start to lose your hearing too quickly. I'll probably take this advice someday.

Next best might be to take a tube, narrow enough to fit over your IEMs (assuming you use universal-fit IEMs), and cut it barely long enough to plug the other end with the dB meter. But my guess is that this won't be reliable because of how sensitive IEMs are to in-ear wave interactions.

Remember that OSHA's standards are a good rough guide, but aren't designed to keep your ears safe for music.

 

[prosound]

I read another piece of advice http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/2006...y-hurt-hearing , but it seems I have rather tender ears, and can often be too sensitive to noise, so I decided to stay below the advised loudness and duration.

In another thread, I learnt uncapped iPods can be as loud as 108dB, and then according to webmd, the safe bottom line would be 86.4dB (80% of 108) for 1.2-1.5 hrs.