How do you raise volume above recommended level?

Listening to audio at high volumes can provide an immersive and exciting experience. However, prolonged exposure to loud sounds above the recommended safe levels can lead to permanent hearing damage over time. Some individuals may wish to push their headphones’ volume past recommended limits occasionally for a more intense experience with their music, movies, or games. However, it is important to weigh this desire against the potential for long-term hearing loss and irreversible noise-induced damage to the ears and auditory system.

This article will explore some techniques people attempt to safely raise their headphone volume beyond recommended levels, look at the associated risks, and suggest some alternative options to consider that provide a full dynamic range while protecting hearing health.

Hearing Safety

Listening to audio at high volumes, especially for prolonged periods, can lead to permanent hearing damage called Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL). Experts recommend keeping audio levels below 85 decibels to protect hearing health (Keep Listening). Sounds above 120 decibels can immediately damage hearing.

NIHL occurs when tiny hair cells in the inner ear are damaged by loud noises. These hair cells convert sound waves into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. Once damaged, the hair cells cannot grow back, leading to permanent hearing impairment. Symptoms include muffled hearing, difficulty understanding conversations, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).

To avoid NIHL, limit the time listening at high volumes. Take regular breaks and remove headphones periodically. It’s also important to watch for early warning signs like tinnitus and get hearing tests done. While NIHL cannot be reversed, early detection and prevention of further damage is key.

Adjusting Headphone Volume

Most headphones have built-in volume controls that allow you to increase the volume beyond the device’s limits. On wired headphones, look for inline controls with + and – buttons to raise or lower volume. On wireless Bluetooth headphones, there are typically buttons on the earcups to control volume. Refer to your headphone manual for specific instructions.

However, blasting headphones at maximum volume can permanently damage your hearing over time. The CDC warns that repeated exposure to sounds over 85 decibels can cause gradual hearing loss ^[1]. Listening to headphones at high volumes, even for short periods, puts you at risk for noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus or ringing ears.

To avoid potential hearing damage, set your headphone volume at less than 60% maximum and take frequent listening breaks. Consider enabling any available volume limiter features on your headphones or device. It’s also recommended to avoid increasing volume to drown out noisy environments.

Using an External Amplifier

One way to raise the volume output of your headphones above the recommended level is by using an external headphone amplifier. Headphone amplifiers are devices designed to boost the audio signal going to your headphones, allowing you to turn up the volume beyond what your audio source can provide on its own. Some key points about headphone amplifiers:

Headphone amplifiers work by taking the audio output from your smartphone, computer, or other device and amplifying it before it reaches your headphones. This provides extra power and volume to drive your headphones louder than normal. There are portable battery-powered headphone amps as well as larger desktop models. Popular options include the FiiO portable amps, Schiit desktop amps, and JDS Labs headphone amps.

The main benefits of using an external headphone amplifier are increased maximum volume, improved sound quality, and the ability to drive high-impedance headphones. Headphone amps allow you to turn the volume up higher to unsafe levels if desired. They also refine the audio signal with lower distortion and noise. Additionally, amplifiers can provide enough power to properly drive headphones with an impedance above 32 ohms.

Potential downsides are that headphone amps require an additional device, cables, and battery or power source. They also add some audio latency. Portable amps have limited battery life. Additionally, improperly pairing headphones with unsuitable amps can compound issues like hiss or humming. Proper amp matching is important.

Overall, a dedicated headphone amplifier is the most direct way to increase your headphone volume beyond typical levels. However, their benefits like audio quality and headphone pairing should also be weighed against their inconvenience and cost.

Adjusting Audio Source Volume

One way to raise the volume above the recommended safe level is by adjusting the volume at the audio source. This means turning up the volume to maximum levels on your smartphone, computer, stereo system, or any device that is generating the audio signal.

On smartphones, go into your device’s settings menu and turn the media or music volume all the way up. You can also maximize volume levels in individual apps like Spotify, YouTube, etc. Be aware that maxing out a smartphone’s internal amplifier will likely introduce distortion at high volumes.1

On computers, turn up the system volume in your operating system’s audio settings. You can also maximize volume in programs like iTunes, Windows Media Player, web browsers, etc. Use your computer’s internal or external sound card controls to raise levels.2

For home stereo receivers, turn the volume knob to maximum. This will bypass any software limiters and push the amplifier to its highest undistorted levels. Keep in mind that this does not come without risks (see Hearing Safety).

The key is to maximize your audio source’s native volume controls before the signal reaches your headphones. This allows you to drive your headphones past recommended limits, but it is an unsafe listening practice.

Modifying Headphones

One technique for raising headphone volume beyond the recommended level is by modifying the headphones themselves. This can be done by removing or altering the earpads and cushioning which often restrict and dampen the sound coming from the drivers. For example, removing foam inserts or replacing fabric earpads with thinner leatherette ones can help increase volume and exposure to the drivers.

However, it’s important to be cautious with these kinds of modifications, as they may void the warranty and could potentially damage the headphones if done improperly. As discussed in the r/headphonemods subreddit, modding headphones requires care and some technical skill to avoid ruining them. Some other common mods like the quarter mod which opens up earpads can also increase volume but may affect sound quality and comfort.

Listening Environment

The ambient noise in your listening environment can impact how loudly you need to turn up your headphones to hear your audio clearly. Turning down or eliminating outside noises like fans, air conditioning units, and other appliances can allow you to listen at a lower volume. Using sound isolation techniques like closing doors and windows can also help block extraneous noise.

If possible, move to a quieter area without distracting background sounds. Libraries, interior rooms, and other quiet spaces allow you to listen at a normal volume. You may also consider soundproofing your room by adding carpets, curtains, and acoustic panels to absorb noise. Feeling immersed in your audio environment can prevent the urge to turn your headphones up to unsafe levels.

Audio Compression

One technique for increasing perceived loudness is through audio compression. Compression boosts loudness by reducing the volume of peaks and bringing up quieter sounds in a recording. This evens out the dynamic range, allowing you to turn up the overall volume without clipping or distortion (https://www.iconcollective.edu/increase-perceived-loudness). Compression makes the quiet parts louder and the loud parts quieter, increasing the average level of the audio. The end result is that compressed audio will sound louder for a given peak level.

However, excessive compression can lead to audible distortion, pumping, and lack of dynamics. Heavy compression may cause listener fatigue over time. It’s important to use compression judiciously and avoid over-compression. Levels of around 3-6 dB of gain reduction are often suitable for subtly boosting loudness without major drawbacks (https://www.reddit.com/r/mixingmastering/comments/ouknl1/tips_for_increasing_perceived_loudness/).

Acceptable Alternatives

While it may be tempting to simply turn up the volume to dangerously high levels, there are safer ways to achieve a loud and immersive listening experience without putting your hearing at risk.

One option is to use over-ear, closed-back headphones. These types of headphones form a tight seal around the ear, blocking out external noise and allowing you to achieve louder volume levels safely. The closed-back design prevents sound leakage, focusing the audio directly into your ears. Popular over-ear models like the Sony WH-1000XM5 provide excellent noise isolation and powerful drivers that can deliver booming bass and crisp highs without needing to max out the volume.

Using a headphone amplifier is another method to boost volume output. Dedicated headphone amps can substantially increase the power delivered to your headphones compared to using just the built-in audio from a smartphone or laptop. Quality amps like the FiiO E10K can provide plenty of clean amplification to drive loud volumes while maintaining excellent audio fidelity. This allows you to keep the source volume at a reasonable level while still experiencing impactful sound.

Lastly, choosing headphones optimized for your preferred music genre can help satisfy loud listening needs. For example, basshead models tuned for EDM and hip hop, like Audio-Technica’s ATH-M50x, deliver thundering low-end you can feel at safer volumes. Or open-back audiophile headphones, like the HiFiMan Sundara, provide an extremely immersive listening experience for rock music without noise-damaging volume levels.

Conclusion

Safe listening and hearing health should be a top priority for everyone. This article covered recommendations for maintaining safe volume levels to protect hearing. The key points are:

• Listening at excessive volumes, even for short periods, can cause permanent damage to hearing.
• Using well-fitted, noise-reducing headphones helps prevent the need to turn up volume to unsafe levels.
• Adjusting audio source and headphone amplifier volumes, rather than just headphone volume, allows for lower levels.
• Modifying headphones to limit maximum volume is an option, but has risks.
• Being aware of safe listening recommendations and your environment is crucial for hearing health.

Hearing loss from loud music and noise exposure is entirely preventable by following safe listening practices. We all want to continue enjoying music and media for years to come. Protect your hearing by being mindful of volume levels and making listening safety a priority.