James Hudspeth, scientist who solved the mystery of hearing has died at 79

[godofwealth]

Read the amazing story of Harvard-trained scientist James Hudspeth who was a long-time professor at Rockefeller University in New York. In the mid-1970s, he was amazed that so little was known about how we hear sounds, from the rustle of fabric to a thunderclap. He solved the mystery and showed how the motion of the tiny bones in the inner ear are amplified by 10,000 to form a signal that travels to our brains. It’s a remarkable system, one that can be easily destroyed by listening too loudly. Keep a tight lid on that volume control of your hifi!

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/science/dr-a-james-hudspeth-dead.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

 

[marty]

I would have liked reading that article, but unfortunately it is not available without a NYT subscription, which will not happen in my case.

 

[Al M.]

which will not happen in my case.

Neither in my case.

 

[R Johnson]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/science/dr-a-james-hudspeth-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.j08.UPe5.raAfKFg74Am1&smid=url-share

 

[Al M.]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/science/dr-a-james-hudspeth-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.j08.UPe5.raAfKFg74Am1&smid=url-share

Muchas gracias!

 

[Bloomie]

From what I've heard, the professor didn't hear it coming.

 

[Al M.]

Read the amazing story of Harvard-trained scientist James Hudspeth who was a long-time professor at Rockefeller University in New York. In the mid-1970s, he was amazed that so little was known about how we hear sounds, from the rustle of fabric to a thunderclap. He solved the mystery and showed how the motion of the tiny bones in the inner ear are amplified by 10,000 to form a signal that travels to our brains. It’s a remarkable system, one that can be easily destroyed by listening too loudly. Keep a tight lid on that volume control of your hifi!

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/science/dr-a-james-hudspeth-dead.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Great article, thanks. Amazing what mother nature does.

As for keeping the lid on that volume control: I follow NIOSH guidelines, see the table here:

DECIBEL (LOUDNESS) COMPARISON CHART | Galen Carol Audio | Galen Carol Audio

A look at decibel levels of everyday sounds.

www.gcaudio.com

Note: It is in dBA, which gives substantially different values from dB (dBC) depending on the music played.

I routinely check exposure levels with my calibrated Reed SPL meter (please forget any phone apps, they can be wildly inaccurate !!). The Reed SPL meter is factory calibrated, but it is worth to also buy their own calibration device which I did.

The NIOSH guidelines have served me well over the years. You can listen more loudly than many claim you can, but listening at levels of hearing a large symphony orchestra relatively closeup each and every night won't be good for you. Somewhat related to that, many musicians have hearing damage, also classical musicians. Instruments closeup can be very loud (e.g., violin next to the player's ear).

Whenever I go to a loud event, even if it's just certain movies in a movie theater, I make sure that I take Etymotic ear protection with me. I typically avoid rock concerts.

During long listening sessions I take breaks, too.