Quick Music tip: Prevent hearing loss by going 60 for 60

by Brad Isaac on December 29, 2005

There have been a ton of reports of hearing loss as a result of the influx of IPODs and portable MP3 players into our lives. 

One report states:

"We’re seeing the kind of hearing loss in younger people that’s typically found in aging adults," said Dean Garstecki, an audiologist and professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. 

"Unfortunately, the earbuds are even more likely to cause hearing loss than the muff-type earphones that were used on Walkman and portable CD players," he said.

It goes on to say many listen to music at 110 – 120 decibels (equivalent to the level of rock concerts).  One hour and 15 minutes at that level can cause hearing loss.

I was watching the news when a doctor came on to talk about it.  He recommended an easy to remember formula for preventing hearing loss.  60% of the volume for no more than 60 minutes.  So 60 for 60…

Good advice huh?  Huh?  what did you say?

Technorati Tags: IPOD, hearing loss, health, music

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{ 3 comments }

B. Riley December 30, 2005 at 8:24 am

This is a good suggestion. I have an issue with the 60 minutes though. 60 minutes just isn’t enough for me in a listening session.

Brad Isaac December 30, 2005 at 9:22 am

Well, you do have the option of lowering the volume if you want to listen longer.

But you do make a good point, what about those long plane trips across the country or in the car? Those longer listening sessions do present a risk to hearing.

anna February 18, 2007 at 9:24 pm

I find that it gets really annoying! What I tend to do is have it down enough so i can still be in conversations… like background noise. for more i use my speakers. But today im getting noise cancelling headphones so i gues there wll be no (hopefully) damage from now on!

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