MP3s 'can lead to hearing loss'

[TexasStooge]

By STEVE STOLER / WFAA ABC 8

A University of North Texas professor says people who listen to MP3 and other portable music players could be playing with danger.

He warns people who listen to their tunes too long or too loud could face permanent hearing loss.

The UNT professor says some MP3 players can play music at 113 decibels. That's louder than standing next to a jet engine.

"It depends on how loud you have the volume control, as well as how long you're wearing them," said UNT Speech and Hearing Sciences professor, Dr. Amyn Amlani.

The problem, he says, is with the ear buds.

Unlike headphones, they fit inside the ear. The distance from the sound source to the ear drum is closer, increasing the chance of hearing loss.

"I guess it's the superman complex, where you just don't think it's going to happen to you, no matter what," says UNT student, Doug Sutherland.

He says he likes to crank up his favorite rock tunes.

"I don't want to lose my hearing, and I guess when I get older, I'll probably be more concerned about it than I am right now."

Dr. Amlani says the potential problems caused by listening to MP3 players do not discriminate by age. He says the risk extends from children to baby boomers. Kids as young as ten-years-old have reported hearing loss.

But to MP3 users we talked with, it's not cause for concern.

"I really don't think it matters whether it's inside your ear or not. If you listen to it soft, it's not going to affect you more than if you listen to it loud," says UNT student Hunter Tharp.

The professor's advice: keep the volume levels down and protect your hearing. He says, once it's gone, it's gone for good.

[alicia-w]

actually, it's the length of time that your ears are exposed that contributes to the hearing loss versus the earbuds themselves. In the past, we had walkmans and tape players... they played an hour's worth of music at most. with the compression rates of these new devices, there are HOURS worth of music available and so you're potentially subjecting yourself to loud music for longer periods of time.

[wxmann_91]

I don't use my MP3 player that often since all the music is on my computer. And I am not really obsessed with listening to music anyway so I have no intentions of bringing it to school.

OTOH - the students at my school - 2 out of 3 have them, and listen to them for the majority of the day.

[Stephanie]

I used to use headphones (still have them too!) that I would hook up to my stereo when I would be up late studying for school.

This is not a new problem, but it is a good reminder!

[Skywatch_NC]

Speaking of LOUD noise...can't wait until the music team at my church tones it down a few decibels!

Eric

[Kim_in_MN]

I don't use my MP3 player that often since all the music is on my computer. And I am not really obsessed with listening to music anyway so I have no intentions of bringing it to school.

OTOH - the students at my school - 2 out of 3 have them, and listen to them for the majority of the day.

The kids here came from home from school a couple of weeks ago with a revision of the policy book banning MP3 players, cell phones, etc. I think they can have them, as long as they are turned off - if they get caught using them, they are gone.

Kim

[weatherlover427]

Sigh, tell me about it. With me living in such a "trendy" area, LOTS of younger kids have things like cell phones, iPods, pagers, etc. They didn't have things like that 6-7 years ago when I was still in high school.

[azsnowman]

"WHAT?"......I CAN'T HEAR YOU, "WHAT?"

Dennis

[tornadochaser1986]

ya agree so can walkmen i mean if other people can not only hear it but can actuallly understand the song then ur playing ur music to loud