Ear-Bud Earphones...A Budding Problem?
By Civia Wiesner
December 19, 2007
EAR-BUD EARPHONES…A BUDDING PROBLEM?
By Civia Wiesner, M.A., CCC/SLP; Speech/Language Pathologist
Listening to your iPod or MP3 player using ear-bud earphones for too long or too loudly could permanently damage your hearing, according to the American Academy of Audiologists and iPod manufacturer Apple Computer Inc. The greatest risk may occur when listening to music at greater than 60% of the peak volume of the device for longer than 60 minutes per day along with the use of ear-bud earphones.
The ear-buds increase the volume 7 to 9dB over traditional over-the-ear phones. This volume increase bombards the eardrum and, in turn, the delicate nerve cells in the cochlea (inner ear) which helps sound impulses travel to the brain. While our hearing often recovers from temporary bombardment, the impact of listening to music at too loud a volume may cause permanent problems in the long-term. Some researchers suspect we will begin to see 20 to 30 year olds with hearing losses if care is not taken early on to protect their hearing.
How loud is too loud? Consider this – iPods can reach a maximum of approximately 110 to 120dB which can be compared to the loudness of a jackhammer or ambulance siren. Loud rock concerts often reach 100dB of loudness. Have you ever experienced the sensation of “fullness” or ringing in your ears at the end of a loud concert? This is a symptom of possible temporary hearing damage which typically clears within a day or two. Imagine listening to earphones at “concert” volume daily & for hours at a time! Compare the 100dB volume of a concert to normal conversations which are approximately 60dB, vacuum cleaners about 85dB and hairdryers 90dB.
To reduce the risk of hearing loss there are several good options.
1) Listen at the lowest possible volume; don’t increase your iPod/MP3 loudness to block out all other sounds. Never go past the 60% maximum volume. You may be able to listen longer than 60 minutes if the volume is lower.
2) Take advantage of a free volume limiting download provided by Apple Computer for the iPod nano and 5th generation iPod. Check the Apple website for this. Using a combination code, users and parents can set and lock in volume limits.
3) Invest in headphones that block outside noises so it is less tempting to increase the volume.
4) Look into safer ear-bud earphones that limit the volume no matter how loud the volume is turned up.
As we head into the gift giving season, it is important to still think of long-term safety
for our children and ourselves. To hear all the wonderful sounds of the season this year and every year in the future, take care of your hearing today! Happy Holidays!
References: http://www.health.uab.edu/17730; http://cccslp.truman.edu/podcasts/podcast_hearing.html
video: www.nbc11.com/health/8150122/detail.html
possible earphones (I’ve not seen them yet…) http://ingemicorp.com/ihearsafe.html
