iPods hearing threat

TEENAGERS tuning into iPods and other MP3 players are being told to turn down the volume or risk losing their hearing.

The warning from audio experts follows research showing up to 25 per cent of people using portable music players are listening at dangerous levels.

Researchers from the National Acoustics Laboratories analysed the listening habits of 55 people outside Flinders St station and Sydney Town Hall.

Most of those surveyed were aged 15-30, and the research showed males listened to their music louder than females.

The commuters used a range of portable stereos including iPods, MP3 players and Walkmans.
They concluded about one-quarter were putting their hearing at risk, based on the volume and length of listening time each day.

About 20 per cent of Australians have some degree of hearing impairment, while half the people aged 60-70 suffer hearing loss.

Previous studies have shown that workers exposed to 85 decibels for eight hours a day, five days a week, are at risk of hearing problems.

When asked what volume was safe, NAL director Prof Harvey Dillon said people should be able to hear others talking while listening to music through headphones.

"The rule of thumb is that if you're wearing them and you're listening to music, and people can't have a conversation with you, then it's too loud," Prof Dillon said.

"It doesn't matter whether it's an iPod, a portable CD player, a Walkman or a cassette player. It's the amount of sound coming out that counts, and how long you listen to it."

Hearing loss is irreparable, occurs gradually, and can take years, even decades, to take effect, he said. Ringing in the ears -- known as tinnitus -- is another potential danger of listening at loud levels for a long time. Prof Dillon was discussing the research at the launch of Hearing Awareness Week, which begins on Sunday.

Copyright

Herald Sun, 20 August 2005.