1.23.2006

Hearing Damage From the iPod


The popular iPod may be doing more harm than good, especially to the hearing of the user, doctors say. According to Christine Albertus, an audiologist with the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, Wisconsin, iPod users should limit their use of the device to two hours or less per day.

The problem lies in the in-ear headphones Apple offers for the device. Before, music blasted from the speakers of their home audio systems. With the advent of the Walkman, the sound moved closer to the ear through muff-style headphones.


Now, with the iPod and other MP3 players, sound is now pumped directly into the ear, which is a potential health issue. "We're moving sound closer and closer. It's really increasing pressure on the ear," Albertus said.

Hearing damage can also accumulate, says Albertus. Even at reasonable levels, damage can occur after continuous listening. This problem is becoming prevalent in today's youth. "Fast forward, and they may be hearing aid candidates by the time they're in their early 40s," she said.

This is an impending health crisis. As more and more of the younger generation listen to the wildly popular iPod, many of them will end up with hearing loss at the rate we're going here. Maybe Apple will have to come out with the iHearing Aid.




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