[jameswoods]

A friend of mine recommended I post here. So here's my situation:
 
Two years ago I got a pair of SR60i's and I've really liked them.
 
However, about six months ago I was being foolish with my speakers and I damaged my hearing. To give a brief idea of what the damage is like, I downloaded some test tones here and, with my SR60i's and my sound card which is a Creative X-Fi Titanium set to the lowest volume, I can hear 50hz to 17000hz. I can tell the difference between 192kbps and 128kbps but I cannot tell the difference between 192kbps and 225kbps. I can also hear the difference between my Grados and other headphones very clearly although I don't own any 'good' headphones aside from the Grados.
 
To be more specific about my hearing condition, everything sounds a lot less clear in terms of quality and my ears are less sensitive in general to most sounds. It also really feels like the center of my ear is gone, it's sort of difficult to explain. And if I increase the volume when listening I now experience pain.
 
So really I'm just wondering if anyone here who has hearing similar to me or worse perhaps, could shed some light onto whether or not higher-end headphones still make an impact compared to already decent headphones like the SR60i's I currently own. Thanks in advance.

 

[GL1TCH3D]

The only way to tell is to try higher end headphones for yourself.
I have swimmers ear which is when moisture/liquids build up in the inner ear if I'm not mistaken and cannot drain out normally. I've had this for several years and it definitely affects my hearing (and how I hear things) as well as caused tinnitus.
I can still clearly hear differences in quality though between headphones / source files.
It has never stopped me from progressing in this hobby.

 

[NiceCans]

Hello,
 
I'd suggest you consult a Doctor, particularly a hearing specialist if possible. In the meantime perhaps limiting volume and hours spent listening may be beneficial.
 
I wonder about how long ago this speaker incident occurred, and if recently then perhaps this condition may still 'heal' further with more time.
 
A single-incident type of hearing damage would require massive db levels and or prolonged exposure to cause permanent damage, so I think that unless you have some incredible speakers and power amps this may be more the culmination of repeated auditory abuse over the course of your lifetime. (Headphones can more easily reach the exposure levels necessary to cause damage because of their proximity to the ears and the minimal power required to reach those levels.)
 
Concerts often leave people with ringing ears for a period of time, but that generally subsides unless repeated enough to cause permanent damage. There is a hearing protection chart which shows volume in db across exposure time in minutes, so you can see how long you can safely listen at various levels.
 
So yea, if it does not improve within a few days of musical abstinence, then I'd look into seeing a hearing professional.

 

[soundstige]

The bolded paragraph is all completely normal. However, the paragraph that follows is concerning and should be followed up with a doctor.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jameswoods /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
However, about six months ago I was being foolish with my speakers and I damaged my hearing. To give a brief idea of what the damage is like, I downloaded some test tones here and, with my SR60i's and my sound card which is a Creative X-Fi Titanium set to the lowest volume, I can hear 50hz to 17000hz. I can tell the difference between 192kbps and 128kbps but I cannot tell the difference between 192kbps and 225kbps. I can also hear the difference between my Grados and other headphones very clearly although I don't own any 'good' headphones aside from the Grados.
 
To be more specific about my hearing condition, everything sounds a lot less clear in terms of quality and my ears are less sensitive in general to most sounds. It also really feels like the center of my ear is gone, it's sort of difficult to explain. And if I increase the volume when listening I now experience pain.

 

[jameswoods]

Quote:

The bolded paragraph is all completely normal. However, the paragraph that follows is concerning and should be followed up with a doctor.
 

 
Quote:

Hello,
 
I'd suggest you consult a Doctor, particularly a hearing specialist if possible. In the meantime perhaps limiting volume and hours spent listening may be beneficial.
 
I wonder about how long ago this speaker incident occurred, and if recently then perhaps this condition may still 'heal' further with more time.
 
A single-incident type of hearing damage would require massive db levels and or prolonged exposure to cause permanent damage, so I think that unless you have some incredible speakers and power amps this may be more the culmination of repeated auditory abuse over the course of your lifetime. (Headphones can more easily reach the exposure levels necessary to cause damage because of their proximity to the ears and the minimal power required to reach those levels.)
 
Concerts often leave people with ringing ears for a period of time, but that generally subsides unless repeated enough to cause permanent damage. There is a hearing protection chart which shows volume in db across exposure time in minutes, so you can see how long you can safely listen at various levels.
 
So yea, if it does not improve within a few days of musical abstinence, then I'd look into seeing a hearing professional.

 
To give some context, the incident occurred in March, I had just acquired some fairly nice speakers off of a friend and for three days for several hours each day I was blasting them at near-maximum volume. I then realized after listening on the third day my hearing had dramatically changed. In the past I had played music loud whether it be on my old speakers or my headphones and my ears would just ring for a while then return to normal. I believe I had these speakers on louder than previous times as well. This was several months ago so I'm assuming the changes are permanent. I've also researched extensively on Google and it does appear I have a condition. To my knowledge hearing damage isn't reversible so I'm not sure seeing a doctor would help me much.
 
Quote:

The only way to tell is to try higher end headphones for yourself.
I have swimmers ear which is when moisture/liquids build up in the inner ear if I'm not mistaken and cannot drain out normally. I've had this for several years and it definitely affects my hearing (and how I hear things) as well as caused tinnitus.
I can still clearly hear differences in quality though between headphones / source files.
It has never stopped me from progressing in this hobby.

 
The problem is I would have to go quite far to find a retailer that sells these particular headphones, so trying them isn't really an option. I do find your input regarding your situation helpful though. Were you an audiophile prior to your condition?

 

[Chulta]

I recently got em and I would say they are definetly worth the money. I am running them with a crappy portable amp since I'm currently studying abroad but the sound still rocks.
 
For the hearing, you should really see a doctor. I went for a couple of concerts and where folish enough to stand in the front and that really hurt when the fireworks went off. My hearing was imparied for maby a month but then it started getting better and after almost a year my ears were as before. Listening to low music will probably not hurt and the sr225 is a good sounding headphone.

 

[jameswoods]

Quote:

I recently got em and I would say they are definetly worth the money. I am running them with a crappy portable amp since I'm currently studying abroad but the sound still rocks.
 
For the hearing, you should really see a doctor. I went for a couple of concerts and where folish enough to stand in the front and that really hurt when the fireworks went off. My hearing was imparied for maby a month but then it started getting better and after almost a year my ears were as before. Listening to low music will probably not hurt and the sr225 is a good sounding headphone.

 
Aside from testing what does the doctor do exactly? I'll definitely make an appointment if it may help.
 
And also every now and then since the incident I've tried to play my music high again (Not even a third as high as I had it but to a point where I'd be ringing a little afterwards), but it just isn't the same anymore but I've probably done it 5-6 times since the incident but for less than an hour. So I don't know, do you think getting some earplugs and trying to rest my ears for a few months would actually help the condition?

 

[GL1TCH3D]

I was not an audiophile before the initial case of swimmers ear. It happened at least a year or 2 before I got into headphones.
I understand what you mean by sometimes it feels like the center is missing.
It never stopped me from picking up the hobby and even getting into summit fi

 

[Chulta]

Quote:

 
Aside from testing what does the doctor do exactly? I'll definitely make an appointment if it may help.
 
And also every now and then since the incident I've tried to play my music high again (Not even a third as high as I had it but to a point where I'd be ringing a little afterwards), but it just isn't the same anymore but I've probably done it 5-6 times since the incident but for less than an hour. So I don't know, do you think getting some earplugs and trying to rest my ears for a few months would actually help the condition?

The doctor looked inside my ears, and adviced me to avoid loud sounds. I had shattered eardrumms I belive, (not sure, could not hear what the doctor was saying), and it may or may not heal by itself. Also I had got an infection at the same time so the earcanals were swollen but that was due to wearing same earplugs for two concerts in a row.

 

[jameswoods]

Little update here. I went to the doctor today to get my ears checked out. He checked out my ears, looked in them, gave me a hearing test (Asked me to recognize five different tones in each ear). He didn't find anything wrong and referred me to an ENT (I don't think I'll bother going).
 
Anyways I think I'll be getting the SR225i's. Thanks for all your help guys.