Metallic "tinny" sound?

[Alaskankaijudude]

I apologise in advance because I dont really even know how do describe this issue I'm having but maybe it will strike a chord with somebody. Recently started noticing a high pitched "hissing" or "tinny" sound after listening to music for a while, sorta like a high pitched ringing sensation in my ears. I dont notice it right away. None of the equipment is new. Yamaha receiver, CD player, CV speakers, hooked up via optical cable. Maybe it's my hearing taking a s*#t.

[Beta Man]

sounds likes Tinnitus to me.... not a good thing. Happened to my father, but he's in his 70's so it's no big deal...

The Cerwin Vegas really make that more of a possibility! How loud do you usually listen to music?

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

sounds likes Tinnitus to me.... not a good thing.

yep.... welcome to old age...

[Alaskankaijudude]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

sounds likes Tinnitus to me.... not a good thing. Happened to my father, but he's in his 70's so it's no big deal...

The Cerwin Vegas really make that more of a possibility! How loud do you usually listen to music?

I thought Tinnitus is something that would be constant though, not just while listening to music.

Not loud enough to damage my ears by a long shot, I could go way higher with the volume if I wanted to.

[quirkmanly]

Originally Posted by Alaskankaijudude

I thought Tinnitus is something that would be constant though, not just while listening to music.

Not loud enough to damage my ears by a long shot, I could go way higher with the volume if I wanted to.

It was explained to me that if ringing in the ears after exposure to loud sound means that some degree of permanent damage has been done. Keep doing it and eventually your will find yourself with impaired hearing along with the possible onset of tinnitus.

I'm not an ENT or an audiologist though.

[Doc_Stew]

It's either tinnitus or transient swelling from loud music. Tinnitus by itself can be transient, but sometimes can also be constant. You need to turn your music DOWN. It's the same thing that happens after going to a concert. Your ear canals swell to protect your tympanic membranes (ear drums) from damage, and that causes the ringing.

Also - on the whole, poor quality speakers cannot be played loud without damaging ears due to their low fidelity. Higher quality speakers can be played louder without hurting your ears as much because they aren't distorting the sounds as bad as the poorer quality ones do.

The main point - listening to loud music is not worth the damage it causes to your hearing. Definitely get checked out by an audiologist to see if there is permanent damage.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

sounds likes Tinnitus to me.... not a good thing. Happened to my father, but he's in his 70's so it's no big deal...

The Cerwin Vegas really make that more of a possibility! How loud do you usually listen to music?

You are correct - especially if the OP is listening to CV's loudly (some have sensetivities of 106db). It's not good to listen to music or movies at loud volumes for extended periods of time.

[Riff Magnum]

But, but, music has been scientifically proven to sound better at higher volumes.
That's coming from someone who's been exposed to horribly loud music most of his life, but my hearing is still A-OK. My drummer is really anal about his hearing. One day a bassist from another band says, "What, do you need to hear the worms crawling in the dirt underneath you to enjoy life." Kinda extreme, but funny.

[cravnsn]

Some years ago, my wife won a pair of tickets to see The Cranberries in a small venue concert. When I say small, I mean like 200 people small. We got there early enough we were about 3 meters from the stage. At on point, their sound man decided to crank the volume to see how loud he could get it. About 80% of the people there clutched their ears in pain, including me. Now I knew why the girl in front of me had cotton stuffed in her ears.

The ringing in my ears didn’t go away, so I went to an audiologist. When she ran the tests, she determined that permanent damage had indeed been done. The ringing is worse at some times than others, but is and always will be there.

On a side note, the lead singer Dolores Mary O'Riordan Burton wiped the sweat from her brow with a small towel, which she then threw into the crowd, which being 2 meters tall allowed me to catch it.

[rogman]

Originally Posted by Alaskankaijudude

I thought Tinnitus is something that would be constant though, not just while listening to music.

Not loud enough to damage my ears by a long shot, I could go way higher with the volume if I wanted to.

If the ringing in your ears happens after you're listening to music, listen to your ears and turn it down! An audiologist told me once that if you have it loud enough to make your ears ring, it's loud enough to cause permanent damage to your ears.

I like my music really loud too, but when I have it cranked up I try not to do it for too long. I also use an SPL meter from my sitting position to make sure it's at a safe level. Pioneer supplies a chart indicating safe decibal levels, etc. I've found that to be very helpful.