- #1
Mk
- 2,040
- 4
Well, you know the question. 
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the effects of loud music and noise on hearing, exploring both theoretical and anecdotal perspectives on noise-induced hearing loss and its implications for musicians and concert-goers.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Exploratory
- Anecdotal evidence
Main Points Raised
- Some participants suggest that prolonged exposure to loud noise and music can lead to a decrease in ear sensitivity and permanent hearing damage.
- Others question the direct correlation between loud music exposure and hearing loss, citing that many older rock stars do not exhibit significant hearing damage.
- A participant shares a personal experience of temporary hearing loss after attending a loud concert, implying potential harm from such exposure.
- Another participant mentions that the nerves in the inner ear responsible for detecting high-frequency sounds are particularly vulnerable to damage from loud noises, which may lead to permanent hearing loss.
- Some anecdotal evidence is presented regarding the hearing conditions of various musicians, with mixed observations about their hearing health.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the extent to which loud music directly causes hearing loss. While some assert that it leads to permanent damage, others point to exceptions among musicians, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.
Contextual Notes
Limitations include a lack of comprehensive studies directly linking loud music to hearing loss in specific populations, as well as varying definitions of what constitutes "loud" music.
- #2
Nenad
- 698
- 0
it makes it worse. If you have exposure to loud noise and music for longer periods of time, your ear drum will begin to dampen its sensitivity causing you to go old real fast. You will damage your hearing abilities and have trouble hearing things you normally could befoure you started with the loud music.
- #3
quartodeciman
- 365
- 0
FYI
National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorder
NIDCD: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss --->
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/noise.asp
Oddly, no mention of loud music in that article. But here is something including loud music.
NIDCD>WISEEARS!: How loud is too loud? --->
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/ruler.asp
a rule of thumb: If it hurts, it's probably bad.
National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorder
NIDCD: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss --->
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/noise.asp
Oddly, no mention of loud music in that article. But here is something including loud music.
NIDCD>WISEEARS!: How loud is too loud? --->
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/ruler.asp
a rule of thumb: If it hurts, it's probably bad.
Last edited by a moderator:
- #4
JohnDubYa
- 468
- 1
Has anyone checked out older rock stars' hearing? A good percentage of them should be nearly deaf if loud music really caused hearing loss so directly.
- #5
pmb_phy
- 2,950
- 1
I can tell you this - Back in the early 80s I went to an Ozzy Osbourne concert. I was 5 feet from a wall of speakers. I didn't have my full hearing back for 3 days. That couldn't have been good for me. 
Pete
Pete
- #6
LURCH
Science Advisor
- 2,550
- 119
Indeed, it is an old cliche in the entertainment industry that older rock singer's are nearly def. Talking to one is much like trying to holy conversation with a retired artillery sergeant, or one of those guys that work on the tarmack at a commercial airport. The nerves in the inner ear that detect higher frequency sound waves are the most sensitive. Overly loud noise destroys these nerve cells, which never grow back, so whatever damage gets done is permanent.
In college, my Music Theory professor told us that the ringing you here in your ears immediately after exposure to a loud noise is the sound of high-frequency nerve endings dying. It is the sound of permanent damage being done to your ears.
In college, my Music Theory professor told us that the ringing you here in your ears immediately after exposure to a loud noise is the sound of high-frequency nerve endings dying. It is the sound of permanent damage being done to your ears.
- #7
JohnDubYa
- 468
- 1
Indeed, it is an old cliche in the entertainment industry that older rock singer's are nearly def. Talking to one is much like trying to holy conversation with a retired artillery sergeant, or one of those guys that work on the tarmack at a commercial airport.
Now I have only talked to a few old rock stars (no one real famous, but certainly members of this category), and none of them talked at all as if they had significant hearing damage.
In fact, the only rock star I know (not personally) with serious hearing damage is Pete Townsend, but his hearing vanished when Keith Moon blew up his drum set. So I don't think he counts.
Any writer from Rolling Stone magazine or Kerrang! would definitely know for sure.
Now I have only talked to a few old rock stars (no one real famous, but certainly members of this category), and none of them talked at all as if they had significant hearing damage.
In fact, the only rock star I know (not personally) with serious hearing damage is Pete Townsend, but his hearing vanished when Keith Moon blew up his drum set. So I don't think he counts.
Any writer from Rolling Stone magazine or Kerrang! would definitely know for sure.
- #8
JohnDubYa
- 468
- 1
Here are some interesting anecdotes:
http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=2649
I think Barbra Streisand's problems are due to her own shrillness. :)
http://www.hearnet.com/features/feature_PSA.shtml
http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=2649
I think Barbra Streisand's problems are due to her own shrillness. :)
http://www.hearnet.com/features/feature_PSA.shtml
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