Protecting Our Hearing

Full volume, here in the U.S., is around 110 to 115 decibels. In Europe, it is capped at around 95 to 100 decibels, which is still plenty of volume. So, with this in mind, half-way in the U.S. is around 55 to 60 decibels, and 60 decibels is the volume of a normal conversation. In Europe, half-way would be around 45 to 50 decibels. Keep in mind that this is where you are getting all of the sound in your ears. If you have the Apple Earbuds WITHOUT attachments like the Griffin EarJams, then you will not get all the sound in your ears. If you do have those attachments or have in-ears, then the previous numbers should be correct or close to correct. There is no reason why people should have to lsiten to their music above 70 or 75 decibels. If you constantly listen to music at 80 decibels all the time, you will eventually begin to lose hearing, but this is over a period of time of a good amount. Just be careful and don't turn up the volume so loud. I hope this helps any.

ROB C

**This information is based on songs at the same relative volume. Some songs are louder than others (I.E. The Beatles' "Blackbird" only reaches about 60% of the full volume level of a CD, while U2's "Vertigo" is at 100% CD volume capacity).

I don't think such a guideline can be set. One song at half volume might be just fine while another might be way too loud at the same volume setting.

The best measure is your own ears and common sense. If it feels too loud, then it probably is.

Cheers!
-Bryan

Sorry if my comments came off badly to you.

Can't even give a rough estimate as it depends on many factors, headphones probably the most critical.
Some headphones will put out 86 db/spl while others are rated at 120 db/spl. And this is with the same input signal level.
Also, for example, I have a CD which has sections you cannot hear at max volume and other sections that will blow your speakers at 1/4 volume.

The iPod is capable of putting out plenty of power to damage your hearing. I read it has been measured at over 120 decibels.
Part of the problem is when you have poor headphones and a lot of background noise, you have to turn up the iPod to hear it.
Get some earphones that block out noise and your iPod will not have to be as loud. Depending on what you are doing though, blocking out background can be dangerous.

I just learned that any sound above 85 decibels is damaging to our hearing.
This has been known for ages.
Google Pete Townshend and hearing.

Does anyone know what the decibels are when the volume of the ipod is set to halfway?
and at max?
It's not that easy.
For example, one song could be very loud and played loud at max volume and another could be very soft and barely discernable at max volume.