Hearing Loss & Fending Off The Sounds Of Silence.

How Loud Is Loud ?
Louder isn't Better..

Exposure to loud noise can permanently damage your
ability to hear, particulary high - frequency sounds such
as the consonants Sh, Ch, T, F, H, and S which are frequently
used in conversation...

Plus hyperacusis and tinnitus is allso talked about in that site..

Interesting persepective from someone in the military.

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/44/34.cfm