New User ? Sign Up  |  Sign In  |  Help
Strange Questions
Get the Answers at Strange Questions!
ask
answer
explore
Search for questions :
My Profile

Fooey

Open Questions Bookmark and Share

Can iPods and MP3 players cause hearing loss?


I keep hearing that iPods are causing hearing loss. How serious is the threat? Should I stop listening to my iPod?

5113 day(s) ago

    Comment(s) (0)
    Report Abuse
   Find Interesting  
   Email to Friends  
   Bookmark  
   Subscribe to Answer Alert  
No comments yet !!!     Be the first to comment !!!
Answers (2)

leonamccauley
Using an iPod won't hurt your ears unless the volume is set too loud. Because the ear-buds fit into the canal it is important to make sure that you keep the volume to a reasonable level, because it doesn't take as much loudness to do damage when the sound source is so close to the ear. But long exposure to loud sound can lead to hearing loss. more info on http://www.metrohearing.com/hearing-loss-types-causes-symptoms.html

Posted 4181 day ago

( 0 )
( 0 )
    Comment(s) (0)
   Report Abuse
No comments yet !!! Be the first to comment on this answer !!!


BobToday
MP3 players and iPods have been taking a lot of heat lately for causing hearing loss. The fact of the matter is that the risk of hearing loss imposed by MP3 players and iPods is no greater than that caused by anything else capable of producing loud, sustained sounds. MP3 players are merely a new technology being used for old purposes. You can just as well lose your hearing from a cassette player or even someone singing directly into your ear.

Loud noises can cause hearing loss by damaging thin hair-like cells in the inner ear. Hair cells in the ears can recover from some damage, but if they are destroyed, they do not grow back. It is the destruction of the cells that lead to permanent hearing loss. It is estimated that about 10 million people in the U.S. suffer from hearing loss induced by loud sounds.

Some MP3 players are capable of producing sounds at up 120 decibels. This is the equivalent of a chain saw or emergency vehicle siren. When the ear is exposed to such high-decibel noise, hearing loss can occur. The problem with portable music players is that the sound is directed into the ear through headphones. Some doctors have theorized that in-ear headphones are more dangerous than over-the-ear headphones, but, so far, studies on the subject have shown no difference. Other doctors have also argued that iPods are worse than old technology music systems because they hold more music and the batteries last a longer time. No studies have confirmed a link between these facts and increased rates of hearing loss.

To prevent any possible hearing loss from music or sounds, it is suggested to listen to music no louder than 80 decibels. This roughly translates to music players being set at no higher than 60% of their maximum volume.


Posted 5113 day ago

( 0 )
( 0 )
    Comment(s) (0)
   Report Abuse
No comments yet !!! Be the first to comment on this answer !!!

Edit your answer. Click save when done.
Question Title Can iPods and MP3 players cause hearing loss?
Your Answer
Character Count ( Max. - 5000 ) : 114
Email this question link to friends
Please enter e-mail address and name for each friend..
Friend #1 -
Friend #2 -
Friend #3 -
Friend #4 -
Friend #5 -
  Your comment on this question
Max Allowed : 5000 Characters Current Count : 0
  Your comment on this answer
Max Allowed : 5000 Characters Current Count : 0

Copyright © 2024 Terms & Conditions