I just heard about some normal hearing test persons still hearing sounds or even detected words at about 65 dB in free field though their air conduction was completely blocked (headphones, earbuds; not sure, but I guess you know what I mean). I found out that in free-field bone conduction perception has to be 40-50 dB higher than air conduction to be perceived as equally loud. Is this possible? And if it is, are there any papers about such a scenario?
Attention - Their air conduction was not blocked completely! Each hearing protection has its limits and block sound from only a certain level. The manufactorer providing HML Values for the Hearing Protector - often found on the box. See: http://www.howardleight.com/earplugs/neutron
You can use the HML value to calculate the intensity of the sound that is still heard through ear protection. See: https://www.noisemeters.com/apps/occ/prot-hml.asp
For example: earbuds HML is 21 18 14 and sound have intensity 50 dB - >> Estimated level at the ear is 30.5 dB.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Psychology