Sounds85 (patent pending) is a simple device that can be used with any set of earbuds or headphones. It keeps the volume at a safe level that will not result in permanent hearing loss.  

How does Sounds85 work?

It is simple to use and unobtrusive. The Sounds85 attaches to all earbuds, headphones or music/video players, and limits the volume to approximately 85 decibels - no matter how loud the volume on the device.  The proprietary design ensures that it does not denigrate the quality of the sound - keeping your music or video sound effects as they were meant to be heard. It can be used with all audio devices, such as iPhones, Androids, iPads, MP3 players, and tablets, keeping the volume at a safe level. Sounds85 is not a permanent installation. It can be attached and removed from headphones, earbuds and music/video players.

How Loud is Too Loud?  

The National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that a person can listen to any noise at 85 decibels for up to 8 hours without suffering a permanent hearing loss. As soon as the noise is increased only 3 decibels, the amount of time a person can listen without permanent hearing loss is cut in half…only 4 hours!

Will your kids have Hearing Loss by age 20?

 A recent study concluded loud music delivered through headphones or earbuds promotes potential hearing loss. This survey carried out by a 3rd party for Siemens asked 500 teens if they had experienced ringing, roaring, buzzing, or pain in their ears – nearly HALF - 46% - said “Yes”!  This is a significant increase over a similar study done about 4 yrs ago showing only 20% of teens indicated possible hearing loss.

We protect our children’s skin from the sun, our children’s heads and knees when on bikes, and we limit what our children watch on TV. Let’s get a Sounds85 on all children’s listening devices and protect the only set of ears they will ever have! 

Look at these Hearing Loss Facts:

• Permanent Hearing Loss cannot be fixed or reversed!
• 46% of teens in a recent study admitted to having roaring, buzzing, or pain in their ears...signs of permanent hearing loss!
• There are almost as many 30-somethings with loud music induced hearing loss as there are 70 year olds with age-related hearing loss.
• Music induced hearing loss is often accompanied by tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
• The output from headphones and earbuds can be greater than 110 decibels (this is like the sound of a chainsaw with no protection).
• Listening to 100 decibels will start to cause permanent hearing loss and often times tinnitus after only 15 minutes of listening time (National Institute of Safety and Health – NIOSH)

Great article written about Sounds85 in the 

Denver Post

http://www.denverpost.com/Lifestyle/ci_25778909...

Is There an App for Limiting the Volume Output?

Sounds85 is a Simple Low Tech Solution to a High Tech Problem: Music Induced Hearing Loss! Most  music, movie, or game players do not have an app to control the maximum output. Some of the new devices have a way to lower the max output . . .  BUT, YOU MUST GUESS AT WHERE YOU ARE SETTING IT. Too low you get justified complaints. Too high and you are still at risk of permanent hearing loss. Guessing at the setting is like putting your car's cruise control on without a speedometer reading! 

There is NO APP that controls the max volume for all music, movies and games. With the Sounds85 there is no guessing. It automatically sets the max output to approximately 85dB.  

Who should order a Sounds85?

• Schools should place them on all computers where students use headphones and earbuds.
  
• Parents for their children – start them young. They will think this is part of how we listen to anything with headphones and earbuds . . . just like kids think "you should always put a seat belt on when riding in a car".
  
• Parents for their teenagers – remind them it’s not cool to struggle to hear, especially when they caused the loss themselves.

• Chris Martin (Cold Play’s lead singer)
  
• Pete Townsend (The Who)
  
• Will.I.Am (Rapper – Black Eyed Peas)
  
• Bill Clinton
• Whoopi Goldberg
• Phil Collins
• Eric Clapton

How Will Your Funds will be Used?

1. Manufacturing and delivering devices to all of our generous backers.

2. Expand our education and marketing campaigns by using a variety of social networking (Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus) to promote a greater understanding of the problem of music-induced hearing loss.

3. Travel to national conferences to make presentations, allow reviewers hand-on experience with the Sounds85 and to interact with potential customers and distributors.

4. For research and development of products to help prevent music-induced hearing loss.

5. Explore collaborations with high-profile musicians and other people of influence who have credibility with large audiences of young people who are at high risk for hearing loss.

Where are we in the manufacturing, distribution, and information dissemination process?

1. We completed our first small manufacturing run, tweaked a few minor issues pointed out by our beta-testers and incorporated those changes into our design. You will be receiving our finished product – not a prototype.

2. We currently have 100 units in use and ordered a second, larger manufacturing run so that our backers will receive their orders soon after the Indiegogo campaign is completed.

3. Two articles were written in local newspapers about music -induced hearing loss and Sounds85. We are diligently working with a very talented marketing expert (who is currently donating her time because she believes in our product) to spread the word through blogs, newspapers, and social media.

What are the Risks and Challenges?

Risks: 

Challenges: Our biggest challenge is to educate the public about the severe consequences of listening to loud music under headphones or earbuds.  

Educating a high tech population that they need to use a low tech accessory to prevent this type of hearing loss

One of our early beta-testers described the problem of music induced hearing loss as a “latent pain”. He said "By the time you realize that you need to do something about it, the damage is already done.”