Compressed music might be harmful to the ears – The Economist

Catch up on global daily news
Dive into compelling long reads
Tune into captivating conversations
Watch engaging short films
Gain insights from experts
Curated news, direct to your inbox
Unlimited digital access to all reporting, podcasts, newsletters and events
The fictional band Spinal Tap could make their instruments louder with the help of amplifiers that went up to 11. Lesser musicians must find other ways to pump up the volume. One well-established trick is compression, which makes music sound fuller by hushing the loudest parts of a track and making quiet parts noisier.
China’s export restrictions may boost scientific innovation
The resemblance increases over time
Climate change could be to blame
Some say the trial is unethical. Others, that not doing it would be immoral
Childhood exposure to a common gut bacterium could be responsible
But there are lessons to be learned
To enhance your experience and ensure our website runs smoothly, we use cookies and similar technologies.
Registered in England and Wales. No. 236383 | Registered office: The Adelphi, 1-11 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6HT | VAT Reg No: GB 340 436 876
© The Economist Newspaper Limited 2025

source