Tuesday, February 21^st, 2012
5:30pm: Refreshments & Social Hour
6:30-9:30PM: Technical Program
Note Special Location and Registration Requirement

NBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
Mezzanine Conference Room
(between 49^th & 50^th Streets)

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT AND ONLY WAIT-LIST RESERVATIONS ARE AVAILABLE.

The CALM Act Audio Loudness Standards, Measurements and Control
'State of the Union Address' One Year Later!

We are very honored to have the following Industry renowned, and esteemed Presenters:

On December 15, 2010, the CALM Act (Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation) was enacted into law! Subsequently, this past December the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adapted regulations as to controlling the relative loudness of commercials based on ATSC Recommended Practices A/85 - Techniques for Establishing and Maintaining Audio Loudness for Digital Television.

In this second of a planned series of programs, we will provide a brief synopsis as to how loudness should be measured and how consistent loudness levels can be maintained using the practices described in ATSC A/85 and then segue into the FCC parameters and mandates that will be required by Broadcasters and Media content providers by December 13, 2012.

TO REGISTER FOR THE WAITING LIST FOR THIS SOLD-OUT EVENT PLEASE VISIT:
https://www.smpte.org/sections/new-york-section/events/february-2012-ny-section-meeting

Check out the AES Picnic Photos.

A gallery of photos from the 2011 picnic hosted by Allan Tucker.
The photos are courtesy of Joel Spector.

Best Practices in Network Audio

Installers of audio networks need to be aware of a number of issues that affect audio signals but are not important for data networks and are not addressed by current IT networking technologies such as IP. This white paper examines these issues and provides guidance to installers and users that can help them build successful networked systems.

Download the pdf here.

The AES-NY would like to express their appreciation, and acknowledge the generous support of our underwriters, NHT Loudspeakers & Studio Consultants for their continued support.

We also greatly appreciate the support and assistance of Chris Hoffman and the New School University.

MEETING REPORT
Tuesday January 17^th, 2012
Prevention of Noise/Music-induced Hearing Loss

HOSTS:

Jonathan Abrams - Nutmeg Audio Post

PRESENTER:

Craig A. Kasper - Au.D. FAAA, Managing Director, ACS Custom USA, LLC

Craig A. Kasper has practiced audiology for over 15 years in New York City. He is currently the Chief Audiology Officer for Audio Help Associates of Manhattan. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Kasper is the Managing Director for ACS Custom USA, a manufacturer of custom in-ear monitors and hearing protection. The core mission of ACS is education and the prevention of music/noise-induced hearing loss.

About 30 members and guests gathered at Dale Pro Audio to hear a fascinating talk which covered the basic anatomy of the human hearing system, the factors in hearing health, and protection options for audio and music professionals as well as “civilians".

Dr. Kasper described his earliest musical exploits as a two-year-old mastering his Mickey Mouse keyboard and learning about pitch and intensity. Later, as a high-school bass guitar player, he experienced hearing damage first-hand. His first work at Columbia University Medical Center was to help musicians and music-industry professionals. He told us that noise-induced hearing loss is the number one preventable form of hearing loss.

Other factors in hearing health include genetics, diet, disease and medications. Some individuals experience sudden, irreversible hearing loss due to viral infections. Diabetes can compromise small capillaries and therefore affect the proper functioning of small hair cells in the inner ear. This can seriously retard the transmission of sounds to the brain.

We also learned about “safe time vs. safe level” - the relationship between high-level sounds and the amount of time we are exposed to them. As intensity increases, the amount of safe exposure time sharply decreases (from hours to minutes). In many cases people who have been exposed to loud sounds experience “temporary threshold shift” and find that their hearing sensitivity returns to normal after a short period of time away from those sounds

Initial noise or music-induced hearing loss is usually detected in the 3-6 kHz range, so that speech sounds such as consonants are immediately affected. Tinnitus, usually described as a ringing in the ear, can be experienced as a variety of apparent sounds, including running water. Some statistics on tinnitus: it is experienced by 50 million Americans; 16 million seek help, and 2 million stop normal day-to-day activities. Tinnitus generators are centrally localized in the brain, and the phenomenon is more apparent in the absence of ambient sounds.

Protection options include putting your fingers in your ears, using solid earplugs, generic-fit filtered protectors, and custom-molded protectors. The last option is the best because it can provide the most comfortable seal and so eliminate of ambient sound consistently. These would be fitted by an audiologist, who would take into account whether or not the user will be moving his or her head and jaw while wearing the “plugs” to be sure that the amount of attenuation remains constant. In these cases the relative softness of silicone plugs (vs. hard acrylic) provides a more consistent attenuation. However, too much attenuation might cause the performer to sing and play much louder. The audiologist must discuss this with the performer.

It was pointed out that In-ear Monitors (IEMs) are not hearing protection, as, by design, they are transmitting amplified sound into the ear. Musicians must be trained to adjust these monitors to a lower level than they have been used to with stage speakers or they risk permanent hearing damage.

An extended Q&A period followed the main presentation.
For more information, and to download Dr. Kasper's PowerPoint slides from this presentation, please visit:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1346403118/e637606edbcc1000501aed39b6a19f4c

Report by Joel Spector

The New York Section would like to thank Dale Pro Audio for making the meeting space available.