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DigitalEl · May 9, 2003, 01:26 AM

So we all spend so much time with our iPods. Not to make a gross generalization, but most of us are probably relatively young. <30 for many of us, maybe?

What will hours and hours of loud portable music listening do to our hearing? Anyone seen any good JAMA studies lately... Because I know you all read the Journal.

Seriously, are we setting ourselves up to trade the iPod for a Miracle Ear later in life?

I'm in a goofy mood. Don't know why this occurred to me tonight. Any thoughts?

G-mac · May 9, 2003, 10:20 AM

I actually do read JAMA sometimes. I haven't seen any news lately, but there is definite proof of hearing damage due to loud music. Docs have been seeing more and more young individuals come in with some degree of hearing loss.

Sometimes I turn up the volume on my iPod in the gym and wonder if I'm already going deaf! I think as long as you keep the volume down modestly low, there won't be much more damage than from noisy highway traffic.

Perhaps Apple should offer a trade-in promotion for that Miracle Ear!

TAZ · May 9, 2003, 10:36 AM

I dont think that this is an iPod issue, but one of loudness. If you dont blast music into your ears, weather you use headphones, earphones or not is not an issue. Unless your earphones and such actually damage your ear physically you should be safe. Personally I thnk youre safer listening to your iPod at normal levels that you are sitting in your car blaring music. As with 90% of the things you do in life, moderation is the key.

crazyjohnson · May 9, 2003, 11:27 AM

Could that be attached to the iPod?

Originally posted by G-mac:
Perhaps Apple should offer a trade-in promotion for that Miracle Ear!

DigitalEl · May 10, 2003, 09:18 AM

Originally posted by TAZ:
Personally I thnk youre safer listening to your iPod at normal levels that you are sitting in your car blaring music. As with 90% of the things you do in life, moderation is the key.

Good point, I reckon.

The Placid Casual · May 10, 2003, 02:19 PM

I don't know if anyone remebers that a few months back (Actually 6+), Apple had to release a firmware update to lower the sound output levels of the iPod in Europe, as it was deemed too loud by EU legislation...

I have no doubt that prolonged usage will cause hearing loss to some extent...

As a guitarist I already have earplugs, and loads of other stuff to protect my ears, but in all honestly, I have noticed that at certain times I perceive that I can't hear as well as I used to when I was younger... I have no evidence for this, but I now always take care...

Peace,

Mrc

michaelb · May 11, 2003, 01:17 AM

An important issue to be sure. But almost inconsequential when compared to the damage done to vision by computer screens and game consoles.

Particularly CRT based screens. (LCD flat panels are slightly better in that they provide a fixed focus point - but it is still a too near focus point).

It would be an interesting study to map the growth of optometrist shops alongside the growth of computer use over the past 15 years.

Dependence on glasses/contacts at a young age will inevitably lead to greater dependence in older age. And there are many hidden hazards in laser eye surgery, so that's hardly a cure-all.

But, as with turning down the volume of music, you can help by regularly re-focussing into the distance away from the screen. It's unfortunately all too easy to become engrossed in the screen for hours on end.

OldManMac · May 11, 2003, 09:46 AM

Did somebody say something?

dettociao · May 11, 2003, 07:24 PM

Originally posted by michaelb:
But, as with turning down the volume of music, you can help by regularly re-focussing into the distance away from the screen. It's unfortunately all too easy to become engrossed in the screen for hours on end.

I too have heard that this helps reduce the damage done by staring at screens for hours on end.