ive recently moved into a new house, which has seriously restricted my volume levels, as the neighbours are closer than my previous house. ive got a pair of genelec 8040s which really cant be used to their potential (especially at night when i want to work the most) so i have resorted to using headphones for producing at night! i got a set of Audiotechnica M50s, which sound great and are well detailed. The problem now is that having used them for a while, i find that after an hour or 2 (at moderate volume) my ears, and head start to hurt, and i am getting concerned about that fact that i might be damaging my hearing by using them so often.
The M50s are closed cans, so ive read on some other forums that open cans would be more comfortable, and potentially be less damaging to the ears. does anyone else share this problem? i would be interested to hear suggestions of any open cans that are working for you guys?
its very frustrating having to use headphones instead of my trusty genelecs, so i am looking for headphones that i can rely on and dont split my head in 2 after a few hours of work!
cheers
Andy
I had a similar issues before. the ear Doctor told me to avoid using Headphones as much as i can. because the ears get fatigued faster, . also most of the time is hard to know how loud is the headphones when u work longer period of times .
maybe try to make changes to your schedule. use your headphones to monitor the mix only and have plenty of sleep .
Dr Nunez 
I mostly mix with heasphones due to not having deaf neighbours (though I think they wish they were)
The key is you don’t need to mix load and too take 5 - 10 minutes rest for your ears and also any other rsi related conditions
Ofcourse I should take my own advice too 
[quote]slender (11/06/2011)[hr]I mostly mix with heasphones due to not having deaf neighbours (though I think they wish they were)
The key is you don’t need to mix load and too take 5 - 10 minutes rest for your ears and also any other rsi related conditions
Ofcourse I should take my own advice too ;)[/quote]
i hear ya… 
[quote]wouterdewitte (11/06/2011)[hr][quote]slender (11/06/2011)[hr]I mostly mix with heasphones due to not having deaf neighbours (though I think they wish they were)
The key is you don’t need to mix load and too take 5 - 10 minutes rest for your ears and also any other rsi related conditions
Ofcourse I should take my own advice too ;)[/quote]
i hear ya… :)[/quote]
Boom Boom 
yeah i hear what your saying about avoiding high volume in the headphones. i generally try to keep it sensible, but still find it uncomfortable after moderately short sessions!
mixing at a low vol without the cans on is a pro technique too… loud sounds stand out a lot more at low level monitoring… also I read here in the forum some time ago regarding the http://www.focusrite.com/products/audio_interfaces/vrm_box/
the vrm box has been popular here with members notably Wayne/GoFunk…
I haven’t got one but a lot of good reviews! It simulates listening environments …
“VRM lets you choose your mixing environment from a living room, a bedroom studio, or a professional studio. You then simply choose from a list of industry-standard studio monitors and speakers”
worth a check out
If I can recommend anything, and that would be good hearing protection. Tempting as it is to run out and buy the latest synth or speakers etc, sometimes our most valuable assets (our ears) are often neglected.
Having worked in large clubs for some time, I recommend buying a pair of ER-15 (check this link), custom made ear plugs. AWESOME!!! You can hear people and have a conversation (while music is playing), as well as have your headphones on and mix with them still in your ears, all the time, hearing perfectly clear as crystal. They are designed to filter sub bass and ultra high frequencies that cannot be heard, but none-the-less take toll of your ears. They are about £120 (and the fitting is very weird, having foam pushed into your ear, but it’s the best investment you can make).
I have not lost any hearing. People who I know, over the years abusing their ears (while at the same time drinking etc) not realizing the volume of the clubs, headphones and monitors, have over the years lost a substantial amount of their hearing. DO NOT RISK IT.
For production, I would avoid mixing on headphones. It may work for some, but depends if you want your career to be short or long term.
I watched a Future Music video with Tocadisco. He had a dB meter at the front of his set up warning if it’s too loud.
End of the day, it’s best be sensible and think about the long term.