Louder and Louder

Natalie Pressman’s Oct. 15 letter describes in exquisite detail the frustrations related to television sound levels: It is infuriating to have that necessary evil--commercials--punched up to a high-decibel blast, day and night.

I have called the stations more than once to complain, only to be told that it is my “imagination . . . we do not turn up volume on commercials.� That is a lie. As Pressman knows, and every other viewer knows.

I would think sponsors would be smarter than this. It does not endear one to their products; it is stupid to annoy the customer.

It is also health-endangering: I could break a leg running to turn down the set from across the room where I am putting on lipstick--lipstick that, when the blast comes on, winds up nearer the eyebrows than the lips.

LEE RAY

Los Angeles