Tech Shout!

It may be ‘cool’ or probably the so-called ‘in’ thing to listen to music on an iPod or MP3 player, with ear buds plugged directly into the ears; however Dean Garstecki, a Northwestern University audiologist, cautions that these ear buds might increase the risk of hearing loss.

Garstecki says that ear buds associated with modern devices the likes of iPods, MP3 players, etc, increase sound signals by as much as 6 to 9 decibels, and are likely to result in loss of hearing.

According to Garstecki, an increasing number of young people are now experiencing the kind of hearing loss found in aging adults, which can be traced back to their music habits.

Students are found to listen to music at nearly 110 to 120 decibels, capable of causing hearing loss after just about an hour of listening; with ear buds placed directly in the ears, adding to the damage caused.

As key to the problem, Garstecki recommends use of muff-type ear phones associated with older devices, as against the ear buds preferred by music fans today. He adds that lowering of volume levels while listening to music is advisable aswell. Another option is to use noise-cancelling headphones, which eliminate background noise unlike ear buds.

But Garstecki says that thanks to the higher cost and larger size of these headphones they may possibly do down very well with fashion-conscious youth.