You know how fond I am of gadgets, particularly portable MP3 players like the iPod and iRiver H320 that can teach you a great many things rapidly while you're exercising.
An interesting piece in yesterday's Chicago Tribune addressed the only downside of using MP3 players and mobile phones: The effect these devices can have on your hearing.
Noise-induced hearing loss is escalating, and not only among the elderly. More than 7 percent of Generation Xers have damaged ears, according to the Better Hearing Institute (BHI). The problem: The explosion of devices that use amplified sound to send noises directly to your ear canal.
Some places have gotten the hint. IPods sold in Europe can only produce sounds up to 100 decibels. Stereo headphones set at that level can harm ears in just two hours.
Some common sense tips provided by BHI to protect your ears over the long haul:
- Limit your exposure to noisy activities and give them breaks of silence to recuperate.
- Turn down the volume of your MP3 player.
- Avoid drugs that can impair your hearing.
Chicago Tribune August 14, 2005 Registration Required