[CAUT] Hearing Protection Desirable for Tuning?

[Jeff Olson]

I was surprised to learn that anyone believes that normal tuning would 
generate decibels anywhere close to ear-damaging levels.  My understanding 
is that the "average" person can safely tolerate eight hours of continous 85 
db.  I'd guess the decibels normally generated by a piano tuning would be 
around 45 - 65 db, unless one is tuning the piano Jerry Lewis style :).

I'm wondering what your basis would be for believing that tuning represents 
a threat to hearing (or does it simply seem more comfortable to you to wear 
earplug/filters?).  Is it personal experience, or are you aware of 
scientific studies that confirm this possibility (I'm not aware of any, but 
that doesn't mean they don't exist)?

Best,

JO