I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet • Hacker News Board

Re: I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet

#231

Post by sulam » Sat, Mar 31, 2018, 9:00 PM UTC

aylons wrote: post #204

More than a decade ago, when I started listening to podcasts during commuting, I was worried I was cranking the volume too high to compensate fot external noise - trains, buses, traffic, etc. So, I decided to buy a Shure sound-isolating phone. These are monitors for musicians in stage to hear to what they are doing while avoiding the extreme PA towers next to them. They're expensive, but high-quality and isolate nois…

I have had the same solution to the same problem for enough years now that I finally realized I could have just invested in some custom in-ear monitors and pay it back in terms of new headphones purchased after non-replaceable cables wear out. I did that over 4 years ago now and haven't regretted it yet.

https://jhaudio.com if you're looking for a specific recommendation, but there are many alternatives.

Re: I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet

#232

Post by aylons » Sat, Mar 31, 2018, 9:02 PM UTC

djmips wrote: post #223

aylons wrote: post #204

More than a decade ago, when I started listening to podcasts during commuting, I was worried I was cranking the volume too high to compensate fot external noise - trains, buses, traffic, etc. So, I decided to buy a Shure sound-isolating phone. These are monitors for musicians in stage to hear to what they are doing while avoiding the extreme PA towers next to them. They're expensive, but high-quality and isolate nois…

Why not fix the cable yourself? Sounds worth it.

It broke in the input for the phone housing. Very hard fix.

I'm very experienced with soldering, but a bit clumsy with mechanical details. I tried, and actually fixed the cable, but the phone housing never quite fit well again.

Also, I decided after this to only go with bluetooth phones. Detachable-cable Shure phones have bluetooth options and I'm going with it as soon as I have the money.

Re: I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet

#233

Post by aylons » Sat, Mar 31, 2018, 9:05 PM UTC

sulam wrote: post #231

aylons wrote: post #204

More than a decade ago, when I started listening to podcasts during commuting, I was worried I was cranking the volume too high to compensate fot external noise - trains, buses, traffic, etc. So, I decided to buy a Shure sound-isolating phone. These are monitors for musicians in stage to hear to what they are doing while avoiding the extreme PA towers next to them. They're expensive, but high-quality and isolate nois…

I have had the same solution to the same problem for enough years now that I finally realized I could have just invested in some custom in-ear monitors and pay it back in terms of new headphones purchased after non-replaceable cables wear out. I did that over 4 years ago now and haven't regretted it yet. https://jhaudio.com if you're looking for a specific recommendation, but there are many alternatives.

Thanks!

I'm definitely not an audiophile and I listen mostly to voice podcasts, such as NPR programming. Besides sound quality, is there any real advantage on these over low-end, detachable-cable Shure?

Re: I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet

#234

Post by jk2323 » Sat, Mar 31, 2018, 9:06 PM UTC

In the second World War, the tank of my uncle took a full hit on the turret while fighting the Russians and he was the only survivor. Tell him about bad hearing after bleeding out of both ears. :-)

Re: I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet

#235

Post by robotrout » Sat, Mar 31, 2018, 9:06 PM UTC

komali2 wrote: post #200

ficklepickle wrote: post #187

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I took all the powder out, wrapped it in tinfoil, and put it in the fireplace. I was impatient, and sprayed it with cooking oil spray. The instant I closed the door again, boom. Makes me cringe to think I was only 7 or 8 years old. Shortly after that, a retired cop saw us throwing rifle bullets down cement stairs with rocks taped to the primers, trying to set them off. He very calmly and sternly told us how dangerous…

The other obvious question I think is why all of y'all had access to live ammunition at eight years old.

I think you have never met any eight year olds, if you think they are really that stupid that it would be a problem. Unless you sheltered the poor kid to the point of making him a mushroom, he's more than rational enough to understand any hazard you take the time to tell him about. My daughter is 8, and I would have no worries with her encountering ammunition around the house because I would tell her how it works, which part of it causes it to explode, and how to handle it.

A kid that does stupid things has probably not had the 5 minutes spent with him, telling him the possible hazards.

Kids (and adults) also do stupid things because they know the hazards but feel like they are smart enough to overcome those hazards. Doing hazardous things that are known to be hazardous is no more likely at 8 than at 18. In fact it's less likely at 8. We get braver and do stupider things ("Hold my beer for a minute and watch this") as we get older.

Re: I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet

#236

Post by matte_black » Sat, Mar 31, 2018, 9:07 PM UTC

JohnJamesRambo wrote: post #229

nate_meurer wrote: post #228

A little PSA: there is some evidence that magnesium can help prevent/cure acute noise-induced hearing loss. Google returns several reputable studies. Also: earplugs, earplugs, earplugs. I keep foam earplugs on me at all times. I have some in my fifth pants pocket, I keep some in a pill container on my keyring, some in my backpack, in my car, etc. I cut them in half; the half size fits easier and takes up less space,…

This is one of the weirder things I’ve ever read here and I read a lot of strange behaviors here. You wear earplugs full time man, that’s not normal, you are missing out on unimpeded hearing due to a fear of hearing loss that likely is not based on science. Normal level sounds don’t degrade hearing as far as I know and loud sounds aren’t that common, certainly not enough to warrant wearing earplugs full time. https:/…

It’s not that strange. I wear earplugs (although they are low profile hidden ones) if I’m going to a loud venue, such as a really loud bar, or club, or a concert. It increases my enjoyment of these places and also makes it easier to have conversations with people.

Re: I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet

#237

Post by randac » Sat, Mar 31, 2018, 9:09 PM UTC

lsc wrote: post #209

ehsankia wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess we take it as a given since no one here is talking about it, but why does the toilet lid need to be so overly heavy? Is there any specific functionality that requires it to be out of that material and so big?

you can buy light plastic toilet lids if you like, in fact, they are rather cheaper than the more solid kinds. I don't think there's really anything wrong with plastic toilet seats, but they feel less good, I think, than the heavier, more solid toilet seats. The worst, in my mind, are the foam/shag carpet covers. those just seem wrong and gross - I mean I imagine my reaction is completely irrational, but I remember o…

This thread is regarding the lid to the toilet cistern, not the toilet lid itself.

Re: I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet

#238

Post by amelius » Sat, Mar 31, 2018, 9:10 PM UTC

Related: birds have the ability to regrow sensory hair cells in the ears after they have become damaged, [1]. Perhaps someday we'll be able to transfer this ability to humans.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17891722

Re: I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet

#239

Post by creep » Sat, Mar 31, 2018, 9:11 PM UTC

nate_meurer wrote: post #228

A little PSA: there is some evidence that magnesium can help prevent/cure acute noise-induced hearing loss. Google returns several reputable studies. Also: earplugs, earplugs, earplugs. I keep foam earplugs on me at all times. I have some in my fifth pants pocket, I keep some in a pill container on my keyring, some in my backpack, in my car, etc. I cut them in half; the half size fits easier and takes up less space,…

Why did you start wearing earplugs? I know in the online music community that developing tinnitus is a fear/paranoia akin to fear of surveillance in the tech community-- not that these fears are unfounded, but many of such types tend to obsess.

Is this the case with you? What happened to you that impacted your life to this point?

Re: I almost lost my hearing from the lid on the tank of a toilet

#240

Post by aylons » Sat, Mar 31, 2018, 9:11 PM UTC

defterGoose wrote: post #225

aylons wrote: post #204

More than a decade ago, when I started listening to podcasts during commuting, I was worried I was cranking the volume too high to compensate fot external noise - trains, buses, traffic, etc. So, I decided to buy a Shure sound-isolating phone. These are monitors for musicians in stage to hear to what they are doing while avoiding the extreme PA towers next to them. They're expensive, but high-quality and isolate nois…

Highly recommend upgrading. I had three pairs of E3s back in the mid noughts. Cable went out twice, was replaced twice by Shure under warranty over several years. I bought the se425 a couple years later and they are probably the finest value headphones I've ever owned (versatile, dynamic, accurate, quiet) compared to RS1s and HD600s, and the replaceable cord is undeniably elegant

The Brazilian representative for Shure refused to replace my phone at the time and I decided to just let it go.

I did not simply upgrade at the time partially because I was at odds with Shure because of this. Ten years later, the anger has faded, and I'm considering them again.

Would you say that a SE215 (their lowest-priced), has a good isolation? I'd use it mostly for podcasts, so I don't care much about sound quality.