Ask HN: iPhone 15 pro handset just damaged my hearing, what now?

Posted by joecool1029 18 hours ago

Title says it all. Wish I was kidding.

I had a power outage tonight even before the big snow arrived. My shitty power utility has a call back feature if they restore power, which is useful since I have to throw the primary disconnect to use my generator.

They called as I finished getting the generator going and I answered while standing nearby. This is an automated system that waits for a voice, and I said 'Yo' into the handset. Immediately after the loudest recording I've ever heard played through the speaker causing sharp pain and ringing as the handset was seated directly over my left ear. I pulled it away within a second but this was like a gunshot near my ear.

What I want to know is, does the iPhone have an adaptive volume 'feature' that CRANKS the volume when it picks up ambient noise to damaging levels? I just answered as it was a normal call, no speaker option and I am certain I did not increase volume after the call began. I've never experienced it going this loud.

Also, since I've never experienced an acute hearing injury like this, should I be going to ER? This happened within the past hour and while there's no bleeding coming out of the ear, I do have high pitched constant ringing (in just that ear) Is there anything that can be done or am I just screwed if it caused damage?

Comments

Comment by charlie0simmon 18 hours ago

Please go to an urgent care or ER now. Sudden hearing damage with persistent ringing (tinnitus) within the first hour is a medical emergency. Early treatment can make a significant difference in recovery.

Also, document everything - screenshot the call log, note the exact time and circumstances. You may need this for Apple support or potential legal action later.

Hope you recover quickly.

Comment by DustinEchoes 17 hours ago

I am not a doctor.

If you go to the ER, they may be able to start you on a course of prednisone or similar, which helps lessen damage from acoustic trauma if started within 24 hours.

Comment by joecool1029 16 hours ago

Thanks, I’ll play it safe and head to ER. Others suggested roughly same thing you did that knocking inflammation down may lessen damage and I’d rather take the cautious route to limit potential losses if possible. (as it’s still ringing/hurting)

Comment by joecool1029 2 hours ago

Just an update, went, had my ear powerwashed as they needed to have it clear to inspect for a perforation, there is none which is good.

That leaves it achier than before, still ringing, but they said it should self-resolve mostly and I will follow up with ENT after the storm.

I think what I can do to test the earpiece volume in loud env vs quiet is attempt to use an old earpiece microphone (suction cup mic) I have and run the levels directly into a sound card, it won’t give me absolute volume but I can at least compare the levels and see if it warrants further investigation past that.

Comment by Eaglo 17 hours ago

[dead]

Comment by peapicker 18 hours ago

Have had iPhones since the 5s. On a 17pro now. Never had this happen as an apple software thing, but the new ones (I last had a 14 and didn't have this problem, not sure when the button placement changed) make it easier to accidentally place the user's thumb on the volume buttons (up -or- down) and end up cranking it or silencing it unintentionally.