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Watch the Volume on Your iPod
Prolonged or loud use can lead to hearing loss, researchers warn
By Alan Mozes
HealthDay Reporter
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FRIDAY, Oct. 20 (HealthDay News) -- Maxing out the volume on a typical MP3 player -- such as the popular Apple "iPod" -- for anything more than five minutes a day can permanently damage a listener's hearing, new research says.
And listening to an MP3 in a noisy environment appears to encourage higher-than-safe volume use, which should be avoided altogether or offset by using noise-reduction-style earphones that allow for listening at lower volumes, the researchers added.
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Both cautionary notes were struck Thursday by researchers presenting studies at a conference titled Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Children at Work and Play, in Covington, Ky. Organizers described it as the first conference ever convened in the United States to specifically address hearing loss among children.
The study authors said their research applies equally to a five music players tested, including the iPod, iPod Nano, and iPod Mini, as well as Sandisk Sansa and Creative Zen Micro players.
"What people should think about is that all personal music players are capable of producing levels that are potentially dangerous to their hearing, but all of them can be used in a safe manner as well," said Brian J. Fligor, a co-author of two conference studies and director of the diagnostic audiology program at Children's Hospital Boston.
In one study, Fligor teamed with audiology doctoral student Cory Portnuff from the University of Colorado, Boulder, to measure sound levels produced by MP3 players through the stock in-ear "bud" headphones that come with the players. The researchers also tested optional "isolator" earphones that block background noise and "supra-aural" earphones that sit over the ear.
After determining that all the players operated at similar volume levels, Fligor and Portnuff sought to define uniform safe listening recommendations. The researchers' listening advisory was set with an eye toward established U.S. government guidelines that indicate hearing loss can begin at volumes of 85 decibels.
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Copyright © 2006 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved.
Last updated 10/20/2006
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SOURCES: Brian J. Fligor, Ph.D., director, diagnostic audiology program, Children's Hospital Boston, and Harvard Medical School; Anil K. Lalwani, M.D., Mendik Foundation professor and chairman, department of otolaryngology, and professor of physiology and neuroscience, and professor of pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine and Medical Center, New York City; Oct. 19, 2006, presentation, Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Children at Work and Play, Covington, Ky.
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