Safe volume level for headphones?

Question

My boyfriend is a regular Counter Strike player, and generally while he is playing I sit behind him about a yard away. I can hear everything that comes out of his headphones loud and clear (and these are the heavy-duty padded type of headphones), and I thought I read once that if someone could hear your headphones while standing in the same room, the volume was loud enough to damage hearing- has anyone else heard of this?

Answer 1

Many a time. When I'm listening to my I-pod, I always make sure that the volume is low enough so I don't feel like I have to shout to carry on a conversation. But with my regular headphones I have to find a happy medium. It's either to quiet or too loud. Sometimes it depends on the device he's listening from. CD players and MP3 players can be louder than most I-pods. Talk to him about it. Say that it annoys you that you can hear it, even though you really shouldn't be,

Answer 2

Sorry, could you repeat that? Seriously. Go easy on the volume. With the padded over-the-ear headphones there are still two kinds open and closed. Generally though if someone in the room can hear everything the user hears that is considered a damaging level. If the user has ringing in the ears directly after using headphones, too loud. Your hearing is a long-term asset worth protecting.

p.s. your iPod update now allows you to lock the max volume level. Thanks iTunes.

Answer 3

There isnt any actual gauge for loudness, just the louder it is the more damaging it will be. I once watched a film on this it comparaed your ear drum with a field of grass, the more loud noises you listen to is like the more people walking over and over the grass. Eventually there is none left, after a real long period of time. It wont effect him now, but in the long run he could have some serious hearing problems as he gets older.