MP3s 'can lead to hearing loss'
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:22 pm
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.
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.
