On: Thu, 26 Sep 2002 22:07:43 -0500 Robyn Lyons <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Wrote: >It isn't so much the annoyance, it is wondering what all this extended >exposure to these sounds are doing to our hearing in the long run (even >ones we don't 'hear'). To tell the truth, it scares the hell out of me >to think what those fans in an S900 will do to you sitting next to your >ear after a few years of 8hr a day usage.
Hi Robyn; I don't think low intensity noise has much long term effect on hearing. The damage comes from the hi intensity noise such as shotguns or other explosive devices near the ear or jet engines and jackhammers. I remember a number such as 100 to 120db as the level above which damage can be expected. I think a Jet Engine close up is about 120db. Could probably find real numbers with Google. The ear is a most wonderful device, in mechanical design as well as its interface with the brain. With something like a 100db sensitivity range before limiting ( overloading). The annoyance factor is another story. But as Philip noticed, sound can be tuned out. The tuning out is akin to the brain progamming a specific digital audio filter tuned to reject notice of the audio spectrum of a particular repetitive sound. The brain seems to have a built in WetEEPROM for signal conditioning. If we could only have more control of the progamming. ;-). I spent my younger years in labs with many Tube type (read hot) pieces of test equipment running for eight hours a day. With fans whining all day so I have permanent filters installed in the wetware ;-). Enjoy, Ernie -- SuperMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | Service & Replacement Parts [EMAIL PROTECTED] | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> SuperMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/supermacs/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/supermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
