Thread Subject: Fwd: Volume Reset

From: Thomas Albin
Date: Wed, Jun 27 2007 1:25 PM

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Forwarding from Hardware group as suggested.

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Thomas Albin < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> Date: June 27, 2007 11:30:27 AM CDT
> To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee" <teitac-
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> Subject: Volume Reset
>
> Hi All,
> Regarding the volume reset language copied below, I'd suggest that
> it default back to conversational speech levels, about 60 dBA.
> Otherwise, there may be a risk to many users' hearing.
>
> According to OSHA and others, the safety of sound levels is a
> function of time of exposure, magnitude (loudness) and
> frequency. Here is a pie-chart that I downloaded that
> illustrates the maximum combinations of time and magnitude.?The
> frequency components are typically combined in a way that matches a
> hypothetical "average" ear, this is called the A-weighting scale.
> Translated, the term 60 dBA means 60 decibels on the A-weighted
> scale. Decibels refer to how loud a sound is relative to a
> standard reference sound level.
>
> I wonder if we shouldn't add a time limit on the length of sound
> levels in excess of 85dBA without a user receiving a warning and
> acting to continue listening? While a hearing impaired individual
> may need the extra sound magnitude, a non-hearing impaired person
> may become hearing impaired if they leave the setting set too loud
> for too long!
>
> For example, if I set my phone or MP3 player to 97 dBA, why not
> have it reset to 60 dBA after 25 minutes unless I tell it to
> continue after receiving a warning, e.g. "continued listening at
> this volume level may result in hearing loss. Continue YES/NO?"
> That would allow a hearing impaired person to continue listening,
> but should reduce liability for a manufacturer, e.g. "the sound
> level on a phone, computer, etc. was set so hight that my hearing
> was damaged".
>
> Best,
> Tom
>
> E. Volume Reset
> If the telecommunications product allows a user to adjust the receive
> volume, a function shall be provided to automatically reset the volume
> to a safe level after every use if the volume is capable of greater
> than
> 18 dB of gain along with an option for user override of that automatic
> default.

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