Jef, and others, Thanks for the 4k frequency information. How about the dbs? Perhaps while someone is testing, what direction(s) are the loudest? I wonder, even if the sound level is not a hearing/health issue, l personally find the sound quite annoying as well as a fatigue problem. I've wondered how to neutralize the "noise box". Your thoughts, Marshall Note new eMail: MTyler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone ----- Reply message ----- From: "Ethan Priel" <prieleye@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Date: Sun, Jul 17, 2011 11:53 am Subject: [optimal] Re: Spectralis To: "optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Yes, you know your audio, and you also skirted a potentially sticky PC issue…not to mention the children's rights activists. E From: optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jef Jodell Sent: 17 July, 2011 23:49 To: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [optimal] Re: Spectralis The issue is both dbs and frequency. The frequency is 4000 Hertz (4Kz). Human hearing goes from 20 H to 20Kz. We are most sensitive to 1K Hz, just as we are most sensitive to green in light wavelengths. Human voices (male) tend to be centered around 800-1000Hz, and easy to hear. Women's voices are slightly higher, generally speaking, but around 4KHz is what we start to consider "shrill", as in a child crying. You get used to it. Only repeated constant exposure (sitting at it "on" for hours at a time) could cause any issue, and it would take decades to cause a problem. I know my audio. -j ________________________________ From: "blutmancra@xxxxxxxxxxx" <blutmancra@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Sun, July 17, 2011 10:25:41 AM Subject: [optimal] Re: Spectralis When I started to work with heidelberg systems it was annoying but you get use to it. Health end of it I really won't know. I figure heidelberg sells the product is not to harm operators or patient hearing. I guess you have to research to see if there was any complaints of hearing loss etc. Maybe there should be a study started. Brian Lutman,CRA Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry ________________________________ From: Raymond Mok <raywmok@xxxxxxxxx> Sender: optimal-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Sun, 17 Jul 2011 09:14:09 -0400 To: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> ReplyTo: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc: optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<optimal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: [optimal] Re: Spectralis Our office have just installed the Spectralis. I'd noticed the high pitched noise but didn't bothered much. However one of the tech said as soon as we click the "yellow" icon, the high pitched sound gave her spitting headache. I agree the high pitched sound is in the safety zone but does bothered some people. Ray Mok CRA, COMT Ophthalmic Photographer DHMC-Ophthalmology On Jul 16, 2011, at 8:21 PM, Ray Gardner <raygardner99@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:raygardner99@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote: No I've got four and about to have six in my office. The Spectralis has a sound like that of a hearing aid whining but causes no hearing problems. Its just annoying at first then after a while you seem not to notice it any more. The HRA was much loader and gave off a lot of heat. Thing of the Spectralis as the Ferrari of cameras it has a strange sound but runs and does like no other camera can. If you need any help you can call me. (806) 676-9793 Sent from my iPhone On Jul 16, 2011, at 4:06 PM, robert santora <rbsantora@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:rbsantora@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote: To All, Is there any concerns about the high pitched frequency sound from the Spectralis causing potential harm? I have suggested discreet protective ear wear by anyone that is uncomfortable around the sound. I was asked by our docs to start a thread to see how other offices are addressing this. Thanks