ELI5: Why is it that when you hit play on a song during a loud part it will hurt your ears, but when you play the song from the beginning at the same volume, it doesn’t hurt your ears when it gets to the loud part?

| Category: Explain

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needhug: Your ears had a period to adjust

If you go from silence to loud music your ears are going to be in high sensitivity mode and will hurt

If you go from moderate volume to loud noise your ears will be in low sensitivity mode and the shock won’t be as hurtful

It should be noted that no matter how much adjustment time you give your ears, you will still damage them after a certain volume

FriedStepfan: Maybe this analogy helps:
When you’re in your dark room for longer time (e.g. sleep), your Iris gets bigger, thus more light enters your eye and it will be more sensitive.
But when suddenly a lot of light floods your room (e.g. you switch on the lights), you will have that uncomfortable feeling, that it’s too bright. But after some minutes your getting used to it.

ashebeau: I genuinely think its the shock that gets you more than anything. Like when you cry because somethings shocked you and you think you’re hurt but you aren’t.

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