Get the most out of your equipment by playing it at a safe level — a level that lets the sound come through clearly without annoying blaring or distortion and, most importantly, without affecting your sensitive hearing.

Sound can be deceiving. Over time, your hearing "comfort level" adapts to higher volumes of sound, so what sounds "normal" can actually be loud and harmful to your hearing. Guard against this by setting your equipment at a safe level BEFORE your hearing adapts.

ESTABLISH A SAFE LEVEL:

• Set your volume control at a low setting.
• Slowly increase the sound until you can hear it comfortably and clearly, without distortion.
• Once you have established a comfortable sound level,,set the dial and leave it there.

BE SURE TO OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES:

• Do not turn up the volume so high that you can't hear what's around you.
• Use caution or temporarily discontinue use in potentially hazardous situations.
• Do not use headphones while operating a motorized vehicle; the use of headphones may create a traffic hazard and is illegal in many areas.

For your protection, consider the following list of sound levels:

DECIBEL LEVEL EXAMPLES:

• 30 - Quiet library, soft whispers
• 40 - Living room, refrigerator, bedroom away from traffic
• 50 - Light traffic, normal conversation, quiet office
• 60 - Air conditioner at 20 feet, sewing machine
• 70 - Vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, noisy restaurant
• 80 - Average city traffic, garbage disposals, alarm clock at two feet

THE FOLLOWING NOISES CAN BE DANGEROUS UNDER CONSTANT EXPOSURE:

• 90 - Subway, motorcycle, truck traffic, lawn mower
• 100 - Garbage truck, chain saw, pneumatic drill
• 120 - Rock band concert in front of speakers, thunderclap
• 140 - Gunshot blast, jet plane
• 180 - Rocket launching pad

Information courtesy of the Deafness Research Foundation.