there are (primarily) two dB scales, one doubles every 6dB (the most common), the other 3dB. there are also other dB scales since there is no actual value for a single decibel. so it's about 4x louder.
The funny thing about that is that I used to think that 33 dB earplugs + 35 dB earmuffs = 68 dB of protection. That, apparently, isn't true. Combining the two supposedly only gives ~40 dB of protection because of how sound is transmitted through your face/bones and whatnot -- not a doctor or hearing expert.
Wonder if I can get a suppressor in Canada... I heard you can get one in the U.S. with enough paperwork.
I am not an expert in firearms or sound, but from what I've read once the velocity of the round breaks the speed of sound (which is pretty much any larger round or rifle round) it creates a sonic boom and a suppressor would not do much to soften the noise.
Sure, but I was just assuming for simplicity's sake that all other variables were the same.It's not that simple.
While it's true regarding actual power, the way a loudspeaker works and music (especially live music or recordings possessing wide dynamic range) are far different.
If a (home) loudspeaker system can handle the increase (most claiming they do are generally ballasted) the increase in volume isn't proportional. As voice coils heat up their resistance increases which means the power decreases at same given voltage. This phenomenon is known as power compression.
This is why bridging amplifiers doesn't always work as well as one would think. In pro audio where you benefit from higher impedance loads getting the extra voltage you gain headroom which helps with live sound.
And distortion rapidly increases with increase in voltage input as well.
The solution? Improve efficiency by changing loudspeaker design or adding more speakers. Going from a system that's 87dB (1W/1M) to 97dB will be electrically equivalent of increasing your amplifier power tenfold! And that's using the same amp. Horn loaded systems with room gain can approach 115dB or more. This is why car audio systems can get so loud on comparatively little power.
And before you say "Well Leo has a van with 25,000 watts bro!" Let's see how loud it is sitting in the middle of a ball field with the doors open playing full volume, which with batteries and alternators going full tilt, isn't going to last long! (Thankfully)
Amp power is frequently measured in dB/W as well. A 20dBW amp is 100W. 30dBW is 1000W and so on. It's not uncommon to have summed venue values of 55dBW or more! This is why at front row, SPL can reach 130dB which is quite loud. Most people's ears don't even hear the individual notes at this level, it just sounds like a scream.
If I were you, I'd back off on the volume, given that you already have tinnitis. Loud music over headphones are a common cause. And it will get worse with age.I'm in category 3. Thank fucking god I have that going for me. I listen to lots of loud every day and while I do have a little tinnitus my hearing tests have come back good. I do fatigue sometimes and need silence.
How old are you, ballpark? Such cumulative hearing loss typically starts to become more noticeable when you're middle age or older. So even if you're listening to loud noise for 15 years, it might not be that noticeable. But it's multifactorial, and not related to just age, and continual exposure to loud noise can hasten its onset as you know.I would be very surprised if I ended up with some genetic reason why I would get hearing loss. No one in my family has hearing loss for one and the other is I've been doing this for over 10 years with very little effect. yeah maybe in 20 more years that could be the case but I'm doing what I love so fcuk it.
The funny thing about that is that I used to think that 33 dB earplugs + 35 dB earmuffs = 68 dB of protection. That, apparently, isn't true. Combining the two supposedly only gives ~40 dB of protection because of how sound is transmitted through your face/bones and whatnot -- not a doctor or hearing expert.
Wonder if I can get a suppressor in Canada... I heard you can get one in the U.S. with enough paperwork.
How old are you, ballpark? Such cumulative hearing loss typically starts to become more noticeable when you're middle age or older. So even if you're listening to loud noise for 15 years, it might not be that noticeable. But it's multifactorial, and not related to just age, and continual exposure to loud noise can hasten its onset as you know.
I am definitely no expert, but given your post above and the question posed, you might want to ask your audiologist again about the risks, if you haven't already discussed it to death that is. You might not have a big genetic risk, but it sounds like your job is still a risk, and you already have tinnitus.
A muffler would help that.when i did stereo comps my car was 150db.
I guess your workplace risk isn't so bad in the greater scheme of things. Much better than being a coal miner... or even a dancer.
I am not an expert in firearms or sound, but from what I've read once the velocity of the round breaks the speed of sound (which is pretty much any larger round or rifle round) it creates a sonic boom and a suppressor would not do much to soften the noise.
Don't take your hearing for granted. Watch these people hearing for the first time with cochlear implants.
But surely not during actual combat?No, because earplugs are a requirement (most people use them).
But surely not during actual combat?