IPod Earbuds Damage Hearing

Iria · Dec 19, 2005, 10:41 PM

Everything old is indeed new again, including fears that prolonged exposure to loud music from portable-media devices can lead to significant hearing loss. Northwestern University audiologist Dean Garstecki has issued a warning to the roughly 37 million iPod owners to turn down their tunes -- or else.

Those ubiquitous white buds that are barely visible in the ears of most iPod users ship as standard equipment with every iPod purchase. Garstecki, chairman of Northwestern's Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, said his warning is similar to those issued in the 1980s when Walkmans and portable compact disc players were all the rage with music listeners.

"We're seeing the kind of hearing loss in younger people typically found in aging adults," Garstecki said. "Unfortunately, the earbuds preferred by music listeners are even more likely to cause hearing loss than the muff-type earphones that were associated with older devices."
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Read More / Source: Newsfactor

riles9262 · Dec 19, 2005, 10:51 PM

Of course this is old news...I'm just amazed at the people that use the stock ipod earbuds; they sound like shit.

Iria · Dec 19, 2005, 11:12 PM

True enough, but it's interesting that the evidence continues to mount. As far as why people use them, probably because they're small and easy to carry. I can't see any other reason, since their performance lacks, as you say.

**dj_stick** · Dec 19, 2005, 11:15 PM

it coukd be because they don't know the difference, want to look "cool" or simply are too lazy/cheap to buy read ear/headphones

Master Shake · Dec 20, 2005, 12:41 AM

I work in a factory and I have to be around loud machinery for forty hours a week. I know people are losing their hearing because whenever I talk to someone who has been working there for a few years they're like "huh? what? I can't hear you!!" You don't hear anyone saying anything about that. What about loud trucks or cars without mufflers. The list could go on and on. There is lots of pollution in the air and water that is damaging more than your hearing and etc. Why are they always focusing on stupid sh*t like this and video games instead of the things that are either killing us or destroying our country?

Lelisevis · Dec 20, 2005, 01:14 AM

Sorry but from now on could we all use a larger font, years of staring at computer monitors has reduced my eyesight.
Goodgrief I think all of the authors of these occasional 'new' studies should be given life long memberships to the university of the bleeding obvious. I can't believe people get paid for studying this shit I mean really what sort of guy sits and works out the environmental impact of methane in cow farts just for example

.
When I die I want to know I used and enjoyed my body besides isn't shouting 'speak up boy' a perk of getting old?

Sandok · Dec 20, 2005, 06:07 AM

I want something portable and not BIGGER than my Nano... And since I'm still a student, I can't find good headphones.

That's the typical argument of many.

Necrosis · Dec 22, 2005, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandok

I want something portable and not BIGGER than my Nano... And since I'm still a student, I can't find good headphones.

That's the typical argument of many.

Pick up a pair of Koss Plugs. Dirt cheap, and great sound.

**dj_stick** · Dec 22, 2005, 12:01 PM

on the matter of protecting my ear, when i go out to places where there may be loud continous sound, even carols by candlelight, i wear a set of etymotic earplugs
I greatly recommend getting a pair of these

Sandok · Dec 22, 2005, 12:35 PM

But you know, all earplugs damage the ears... Of course, if you put em max they'll kill you but I don't see how my Koss are any safer than my PSP or Ipod headphones.

Lelisevis · Dec 22, 2005, 09:44 PM

They are only safer because your less likely to get mugged on the subway for whats on the other end of them LOL

**dj_stick** · Dec 23, 2005, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandok

But you know, all earplugs damage the ears... Of course, if you put em max they'll kill you but I don't see how my Koss are any safer than my PSP or Ipod headphones.

it allows you to listen at lower volumes as it blocks out more ambient noise

Necrosis · Dec 23, 2005, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

it allows you to listen at lower volumes as it blocks out more ambient noise

Plus they sound better too.

Dec 19, 2005, 10:41 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	IPod Earbuds Damage Hearing Everything old is indeed new again, including fears that prolonged exposure to loud music from portable-media devices can lead to significant hearing loss. Northwestern University audiologist Dean Garstecki has issued a warning to the roughly 37 million iPod owners to turn down their tunes -- or else. Those ubiquitous white buds that are barely visible in the ears of most iPod users ship as standard equipment with every iPod purchase. Garstecki, chairman of Northwestern's Communication Sciences and Disorders Department, said his warning is similar to those issued in the 1980s when Walkmans and portable compact disc players were all the rage with music listeners. "We're seeing the kind of hearing loss in younger people typically found in aging adults," Garstecki said. "Unfortunately, the earbuds preferred by music listeners are even more likely to cause hearing loss than the muff-type earphones that were associated with older devices." ____________ Read More / Source: Newsfactor

Dec 19, 2005, 10:51 PM	#2
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 72 System Specs	Of course this is old news...I'm just amazed at the people that use the stock ipod earbuds; they sound like shit. __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

Dec 20, 2005, 01:14 AM	#6
Lelisevis Howlin at the moon Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,663 Rep Power: 0	Sorry but from now on could we all use a larger font, years of staring at computer monitors has reduced my eyesight. Goodgrief I think all of the authors of these occasional 'new' studies should be given life long memberships to the university of the bleeding obvious. I can't believe people get paid for studying this shit I mean really what sort of guy sits and works out the environmental impact of methane in cow farts just for example. When I die I want to know I used and enjoyed my body besides isn't shouting 'speak up boy' a perk of getting old?

Dec 19, 2005, 11:12 PM	Thread Starter #3
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	True enough, but it's interesting that the evidence continues to mount. As far as why people use them, probably because they're small and easy to carry. I can't see any other reason, since their performance lacks, as you say.

Dec 20, 2005, 12:41 AM	#5
Master Shake DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 310 Rep Power: 0	I work in a factory and I have to be around loud machinery for forty hours a week. I know people are losing their hearing because whenever I talk to someone who has been working there for a few years they're like "huh? what? I can't hear you!!" You don't hear anyone saying anything about that. What about loud trucks or cars without mufflers. The list could go on and on. There is lots of pollution in the air and water that is damaging more than your hearing and etc. Why are they always focusing on stupid sh*t like this and video games instead of the things that are either killing us or destroying our country?

Dec 20, 2005, 06:07 AM	#7
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	I want something portable and not BIGGER than my Nano... And since I'm still a student, I can't find good headphones. That's the typical argument of many.

Dec 22, 2005, 12:35 PM	#10
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	But you know, all earplugs damage the ears... Of course, if you put em max they'll kill you but I don't see how my Koss are any safer than my PSP or Ipod headphones.

Dec 22, 2005, 09:44 PM	#11
Lelisevis Howlin at the moon Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,663 Rep Power: 0	They are only safer because your less likely to get mugged on the subway for whats on the other end of them LOL