Music Intensity in the Ear Canal in Quiet and in Subway Noise Using Four Different Headphones
type: CreativeWork
description: Background: Noise-induced hearing loss, hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds, affects individuals of all ages. One cause of noise-induced hearing loss is listening to music at high intensities on personal listening devices, such as the iPhone. The aim of this study was to compare the intensity of music in the ear canal when presented in quiet at multiple volume settings through 4 different headphone styles (2 over the ear and 2 earbuds) to the intensity of the music in the ear canal when presented in typical subway noise. The results were used to determine recommended listening durations for the iPhone based on earphone style and music intensity in quiet listening environments and on the subway. Method: This study used an iPhone 6s to present a 30 second clip of the 2015 #1 song “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson, featuring Bruno Mars (Billboard, 2015). The output of the iPhone was fed to a Zwislocki coupler inserted into the left ear of Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustic Research (KEMAR) and RMS sound intensity was measured using a sound level meter. A total of 4 different headphones were used to present the music clip in two conditions (in quiet and in 80dBA of subway noise). The music was played at 4 different iPhone volume settings: 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the maximum volume. Measured intensities were then compared to the WHO and EPA allowable listening levels of a 24-hour period in order to determine safe listening duration as a function of music intensity and background noise. Results: In terms of volume setting across all 6 headphone conditions, 25% of maximum volume had recorded peak amplitudes ranging from 52.8dB SPL (Sony ZX series) to 82.6 dB SPL (PowerBeats Plugged) in quiet and 76.4 dB SPL (Beats Studio) to 85.8 dB SPL(Apple EarPods Plugged and Sony ZX Series) in noise. 100% of maximum volume had recorded peak amplitudes ranging from 93.3 dB SPL (PowerBeats Unplugged) to 119.4 dB SPL (Beats Studio) in quiet and 94.3 dB SPL (PowerBeats Unplugg…
abstract: Background: Noise-induced hearing loss, hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds, affects individuals of all ages. One cause of noise-induced hearing loss is listening to music at high intensities on personal listening devices, such as the iPhone. The aim of this study was to compare the intensity of music in the ear canal when presented in quiet at multiple volume settings through 4 different headphone styles (2 over the ear and 2 earbuds) to the intensity of the music in the ear canal when presented in typical subway noise. The results were used to determine recommended listening durations for the iPhone based on earphone style and music intensity in quiet listening environments and on the subway. Method: This study used an iPhone 6s to present a 30 second clip of the 2015 #1 song “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson, featuring Bruno Mars (Billboard, 2015). The output of the iPhone was fed to a Zwislocki coupler inserted into the left ear of Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustic Research (KEMAR) and RMS sound intensity was measured using a sound level meter. A total of 4 different headphones were used to present the music clip in two conditions (in quiet and in 80dBA of subway noise). The music was played at 4 different iPhone volume settings: 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the maximum volume. Measured intensities were then compared to the WHO and EPA allowable listening levels of a 24-hour period in order to determine safe listening duration as a function of music intensity and background noise. Results: In terms of volume setting across all 6 headphone conditions, 25% of maximum volume had recorded peak amplitudes ranging from 52.8dB SPL (Sony ZX series) to 82.6 dB SPL (PowerBeats Plugged) in quiet and 76.4 dB SPL (Beats Studio) to 85.8 dB SPL(Apple EarPods Plugged and Sony ZX Series) in noise. 100% of maximum volume had recorded peak amplitudes ranging from 93.3 dB SPL (PowerBeats Unplugged) to 119.4 dB SPL (Beats Studio) in quiet and 94.3 dB SPL (PowerBeats Unplugg…
author: Joyce, Meghan A
date published: 2018-05-01T07:00:00Z
date modified: 2026-07-24T01:58:57Z
provider: City University of New York - Graduate Center
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York