• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How is your high frequency hearing?

How is your High Frequency Hearing? ( test link inside )

  • Total voters
    342
#141
Sort of a mixed result for me depending on the volume. If I set the volume where the voice is at a comfortable volume, I start hearing the tone around 14k. If I crank up the volume (IPad near max) I start hearing the tone at 16k. I'm 57 and have been playing loud rock and blues for over 30 years, plus, I worked in telecommunications listening to test tones, noise, clicks, and all sorts of other crap for years. I do have mild tinnitus, but I've been wearing earplugs on stage for about the last 12 years. I checked my hearing with a tone generator when I was in my late 20's and could only hear about 17k then.

Regardless of what the test says about cheap devices reproducing high frequencies, not all speakers / headphones / earbuds are created equal. Some say they will do up to 20k, but the roll off might begin at 16-18k. If anyone is really concerned, they should visit an audiologist for a real test with controlled levels and proper reproducing devices to get an accurate result.
 
#145
I'm 53. I didn't hear anything besides the announcer until about 10K. That was on a desktop speaker system, so it may not be indicitave, but it wouldn't surprise me too much. I started operating loud machinery when I was about nine and have been around loud machinery ever since. The funny thing is I haven't spent near as much time around loud music as some people. Another contributor is motorcycle riding. I don't ride a loud bike and I wear a full-face helmet, but without earplugs, wind noise will destroy your hearing pretty quickly. It may be part genetic and part the early environment. I can remember "hearing" electricity in the walls sometimes. That was probably tinnitis, and it started when I was around 15 years old. Fortunately, it hasn't got much worse, and I make a point of wearing ear protection when I'm around saws, compressors, nailers, and the like. Those still kill your ears, even through earplugs.

Another indicator, perhaps, is that I could never pick out lyrics in songs. They didn't interest me very much as a result, and I never know the words to any song unless I make an effort to find out what they are. Needless to say, I'm very rarely called on to sing anything.
 
#146
Scottkarch said:
I think he means that people crank the volume during the highest frequencies with the hopes of hearing them and being able to say they heard 20KHz. I actually turned up the volume quite a but to hear 17KHz but when it hit 14KHz where I can near well it was so loud it hurt my ears.

I'm just guessing I wasn't the only Einstein that did that. I may have been.
Click to expand...

That's the bottom line. The announcer says here's comes a pitch. And if you don't hear it the tendency is crank the volume until you do. Ask a doctor, but everything is still getting shaken up in the ear. Your brain interprets the pulses and turns them into "sound". The brain may be ignoring the shaking because it's not following the pattern for higher pitched sound. That is outer hairs shaking first.

Cranking may just be hearing distortion from too much input into the ear. OSHA says DB levels, they do allow A weighting for frequencies, still employers can subject their employees to high frequency high DB sound even if they can't hear it.
 
#149
I'll put it this way...when they call out keys, B, C, D, and G all sound like E to me. I've lost enough highs over the years to be missing frequencies in the range of vocal consonants. I need hand signals from across stage (although with B I can see their lips do it). It makes coversation tough oftentimes, too, depending on the background noise. I'd get hearing aids except my insurance doesn't cover a dime of the cost.

So, you young folks, take care of your hearing NOW before you're 63 and almost deaf like me.
 
#153
As the safety director for a manufacturing plant, I was in charge of the hearing program for all employees. Despite being in some very loud bands (without hearing protection) over the years (no longer) I had and still have great hearing.

The causes of hearing loss in employees in our plant were snowmobiles, dirt bikes, farm machinery, woodworking tools (routers, etc.), guns (some during military service) and other long term exposures to high pitched, loud machines.
 
#155
18k with good headphones... 21 years old.

That being said, just recieved my first pair of earplugs today. Got some really nice ones, actually, called Earasers. Check them out if you need a new pair... they seem to have the flat frequency response they boasted about.

I promise I'm not being paid to say this. Haha. I am just excited to hopefully have my hearing when I'm 40...
 
#156
I have a question I'd like to add to this topic please. I've enjoyed loud gigs: Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, Kiss. My own rig is a Fender Bassman 300 and 8x10's but the loudest thing I've ever tolerated is wedding music in Vietnam! My ears actually hurt and one felt like it was clipping or something my ear was sort of "popping" can anyone give me an idea what was going on?
 
#157
Elltodo said:
...the loudest thing I've ever tolerated is wedding music in Vietnam! My ears actually hurt and one felt like it was clipping or something my ear was sort of "popping" can anyone give me an idea what was going on?
Click to expand...

That was the sound of victory (to paraphrase a famous line). :D

What you experienced, son, was overload.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back