Users of MP3 players at risk from ear damage
Rushda:
September 12th, 2007
It is something most of us take no notice of when it comes to listening to music on our MP3 players, but new findings have shown alarming links between high use of music players and loss of hearing. Apparently more than two-thirds of young people who use MP3 players regularly are on course for premature hearing damage because the volume is too high.
The warnings come from the charity The Royal National Institute for Deaf People, who believe that the issue is very serious, especially as millions of MP3 players are sold each year, often to young children. They argue that manufacturers should put clear warnings on their packaging to alert users of the potential dangers. They also advise users to invest in in-ear filters for any headphones they use as they cut out background noise and make it less tempting to increase the volume as a result.
The research has found that the majority of users of MP3 players play their music too loud, with 72 out of the 110 users they tested in Brighton, Manchester and Birmingham listening to volumes over 85 decibels (the recommended limit to protect your ears). You might not think it, but this is the equivalent of a loud alarm clock continuously ringing next to you. Not only this, but the charity found that over half the users they studied listened to their player for more than an hour a day and a quarter listening for more than 21 hours a week.
What is most worrying is that the majority of those who were studied were unaware of the risk they were putting themselves in, with almost 60% having never been concerned about it and almost 80% never having seen any warnings on packaging. The latter is particularly serious news and the charity believes that manufacturers should take action. As Brian Lamb, chief executive of RNID, says:
“MP3 manufacturers have a responsibility to make their customers aware of the dangers by printing clear warnings on packaging and linking volume controls to decibel levels. It’s easy to crank up the sound levels on your MP3 player to damagingly loud levels, especially on busy streets or public transport. But if people can hear the music from your headphones from just a metre away, you’re putting your hearing at risk.”
Music does not have to be at deafening levels to be enjoyable, and it is important for everyone, especially young people, to take care of their hearing by understanding the dangers and acting accordingly.