Can Apple Airpods produce 165 decibels of sound?

C

Caronynx

Registered Member
Inspired by this article, where a Texas family claim that an “Amber Alert” on their son’s Airpods caused his eardrum to rupture.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ng-loss-Apple-AirPods-blared-Amber-Alert.html

At least some parts of the case have been dismissed:

https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/6354c39e5358106ecd0d9f1d

https://casetext.com/search?q=Gordoa v. Apple&sort=relevance&p=1&type=case

According to this, sound levels starting from 165 decibels would cause eardrum rupture: https://evidence.unboundmedicine.com/evidence/view/EBMG/457351/all/Acute_acoustic_trauma#:~:text=An intense sound wave will,also rupture the tympanic membrane

Question: Are the Apple Airpods physically capable of producing 165 decibels of sound?
 
I don't know that my guitar amp can produce 165 db. That's really loud! Then again, I don't stick the amp directly in my ear.
 
gmilam said:
I don't know that my guitar amp can produce 165 db. That's really loud! Then again, I don't stick the amp directly in my ear.
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According to this a jet plane taking off is 120 db so I doubt it.

https://audiology-web.s3.amazonaws....oster- 8.5x11.pdf_5399b289427535.32730330.pdf

Also this sprang to mind, my favourite rock band. (wiki)

"1972[edit]
Deep Purple was recognised by The Guinness Book of World Records as the "globe's loudest band" for a concert at the London Rainbow Theatre, during which the sound reached 117 dB and three members of the audience fell unconscious."
 
This sounds like it should be really easy to confirm or debunk the teenager's claim that it was the Airpods which did this. Get a sound level meter, put it right up against the Airpod as it's playing on max volume (to simulate an eardrum right up against the Airpod) and see if the sound is anywhere close to 165 dB..

Unfortunately I have neither a sound level meter or Airpods, so if someone has both it'd be interesting to see what the results of that test would be. You can't really argue with physics in court.
 
The case got updated two days ago. https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/44560022/Gordoa_et_al_v_Apple,_Inc_et_al

Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley: Further Case Management Conference held and recorded by Zoom videoconference on 5/9/2024. Recording Time 2:05-2:18 Attorneys for Plaintiff: Jeremy Newell/Taj Paranjpe/James Lamey Attorneys for Defendant Apple: Sara Schneider/Mariam Chamilova Attorney for Defendant Luxshare-ICT, Inc.: Tyler Anders A Further Case Management Conference is set for 6/6/2024 at 1:30 p.m. by a Zoom webinar. Updated statement is due by 6/4/2024. Webinar Access: All counsel, members of the public, and media may access the webinar information at [LINK:https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/jsc] Court Appearances: Advanced notice is required of counsel or parties who wish to be identified by the court as making an appearance or will be participating in the argument at the hearing. A list of names must be sent to the CRD at JSCcrd@cand.uscourts.gov no later than noon on 6/5/2024. General Order 58. Persons granted access to court proceedings held by telephone or videoconference are reminded that photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings, including screenshots or other visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited. Zoom Guidance and Setup: [LINK:https://www.cand.uscourts.gov/zoom/] . (This is a text-only entry generated by the court. There is no document associated with this entry.) (ahm, COURT STAFF) (Date Filed: 5/10/2024)
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