Game mode: All
Type of issue: Bug
Server type: N/A
Region: NA
Mods?: No
Edition: Steam
Bug Description:
The sound pressure created by the constant rain sounds in the Jungle region of Exiled Lands is potentially damaging to ear and equipment.
Steps to Reproduce:
This is not my being particularly fussy, I commonly work around ear-piercing noises and wear equipment to protect myself when I’m in a danger zone. As such, I also wear monitoring equipment to ensure ears are on when I’m at risk.
Because most people don’t have this stuff, you can test your environment using your own iPhone. By playing Conan Exiles through my phone, AND by playing on the PC while my phone listened, the Apple-based Health App says there is a very high potential for damaging sound pressure.
Build a house on the islands farthest east in Exiled Lands
Stand with your character idle, inside
Observe how it rains, even indoors, for as long as three real hours – six in-game days straight
Listen to the overall, static-like rain sound effect that is constant
Play for an hour. Craft, goof off, dress your thralls, just have fun
Observe the rain sound pressure objectively
Observe rain sound subjectively, your ears might ring or pop a bit
The point is, and I’m trying not to create a hassle here, an ambient sound in the game is sustained for a very long time. This sound has, irrespective of sound volume, the characteristics of “harmful noise” according to the National Institute on Deafness (aoCD).
I can turn down my volume, and even mute my sound effects. A player on a good quality set of headphones might not know this, and after an hour there may be actual physiological effects.
I see, so a sub-sonic pressure that, with enough time, can lead to some level of damage. How do those levels compare to modern ambient levels, out of curiosity? Yes, you’ll find a range of variances but I’m curious where it stacks in. Most people don’t pay attention to their hearing until long after its been damaged; I got a good ol’ case of the grandpas. Always yelling at people, “Huh? What? Speak up?”.
Actually, yes, depending on whether it causes effects on the physical structures of the ear. This isn’t what I’m meaning with this sound however.
This one is a patterned “fuzz” sound, a lot like a screen of static. Relatively high-moderate frequency.
The issue at hand is when there’s a noise with a sustained pressure level, your inner ear “hairs” or cilia can be set into a state of constant vibration. This can cause them to become cracked, or even break off entirely. One of the states that can occur without permanent damage is a state of spasm, where they create an effect of severe tinnitus. And head pain.
Again this doesn’t so much apply to myself, and it’s something I hope can be corrected with moderate breaks in the rain.
This is an excellent idea. This could potentially protect many from permanent hearing loss especially young ones who would on top of this turn the volume higher than normal and be harmed further unknowingly.
