Are Headphones 'safe'

[Mike20]

Hey, I'm just wondering, i have in my studio my main monitors and reference pair, also some grot boxes and a pair of headphones.

However i find myself using headphones a lot (V-moda Crossfade LP's), sometimes its just a nice change and because i only monitor/ mix around 60-65db i find them useful for checking how my reverb etc. is sounding when mixing.

What i was concerned about is over-usage of them. can they damage your ears because the output source is so close to your ears? i don't have them on loud, i have them practically on the lowest you could by getting an even volume in both ears however i do spend some time in them during everyday and i just wanted to know if it could be dangerous?

Thanks!!

Mike

[BertKoor]

can they damage your ears because the output source is so close to your ears?

The distance is irrelevant. The actual sound pressure that reaches your inner ear is. 110dB SPL from headphones is the same as 110dB SPL from a PA system at a concert.

i don't have them on loud

Then you should be safe.

[Mike20]

Thanks a lot for the reply

[Richi]

Sometimes you should wonder if the tone generation is safe and not the headphones/monitors.

Several months ago I was nearly deafened when an unnamed (commercial) VST crashed and somehow completely circumvented Cubase mixer settings and gave me that XXX dB blow from my monitors.

Today, I get an headache if I only remember that incident.

I wonder if my soundcard driver could have some sort of "last resort" limiter or something like that.

R.

PS: Ok, so I mentioned Cubase, maybe it would be fair to mention the VST too.
LinPlug CronoX 3.6.1

[vurt]

if you have a a chair that revolves be careful with the cable and strangling yourself when alone.

[mcnoone]

I've been using headphones for many years.
I've also worked for a sound company doing live bands for about 4 years.
I have never had any hearing problems, and I'm constantly using them doing sound design.
I don't mix a lot of tracks though, so usually just working on one sound.

Hearing is different in some small ways for everyone though.
It also depends on the kind of music your mixing with them.
Lots of loud drums and phat basses, or high frequency tones and your gonna need to take lots of breaks.
So the thing to remember most would be to take breaks, and switch to the monitors.

if you have a a chair that revolves be careful with the cable and strangling yourself when alone.

[Mike20]

if you have a a chair that revolves be careful with the cable and strangling yourself when alone.

LOL, it was a serious question though I have tea lots of places 'don't use headphones for too long' and didn't know if they meant because people tend to listen to them at higher volumes or because the sound output is like an inch fro
your eardrum

But now I know

[hibidy]

I don't think they are that safe, but alas, it's what I use.

I've noticed fatigue under certain circumstances. I think what I have right now is pretty good though.

[Winstontaneous]

Pete Townshend of The Who said it wasn't the loudest PA in the world, HiWatt stacks, or stage explosions that caused his hearing damage...it was late night headphone sessions.

[ford442]

the other day i stood up and my headphone wire wrapped around my legs and i fell into my subwoofer.. cut my leg pretty bad.. so - headphones are not entirely safe, especially combined with subwoofers..

[Nystul]

One of the issues with headphones is that you can get away with loud volume for prolonged periods without mommy/neighbor/landlord/cop telling you to turn that crap down. So it's all on you to be responsible about the volume level. And it seems like everyone believes they listen at a reasonable level, but not everyone is right about that.