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Pop a Pill, Save Your Hearing

Posted by michael on from the pull-string-gun-go-boom dept.

powlow writes "People who've had their ears damaged by gunfire, jackhammers or punk rock have traditionally had two choices: get hearing aids, or suffer in silence. But a new set of drugs, about to be tested on Marine recruits, is showing promise as a way to protect ears against the din."

5 of 70 comments (clear)

  1. Science fun by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    At the University of Michigan, for example, guinea pigs were blasted for five hours with 115 decibels of sound -- about the equivalent of a chainsaw.

    I like that word 'blasted'. Where can I get a job blasting helpless animals like that?

  2. A prophylactic, not a cure by WayneConrad · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Stop giggling at the title... you know what I mean.

    The first sentence implies that this is a cure; the second that this is a preventative measure. The second sentence is right. It can prevent hearing loss, but won't recover already lost hearing.

    If it were me, I'd take the pill and wear hearing protection. The pill seems like a great idea for those who simply can't have ear plugs.

    I understand that war doesn't stop for a soldier to insert ear plugs, but do soldiers use hearing protection at the firing range?

    1. Re:A prophylactic, not a cure by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      So basically you put these pills in your ears and that dampens the noise? ;-)

  3. Oh great.... by rasteri · · Score: 5, Funny

    Soon I'm going to have to take TWO pills to go to clubs...

  4. damaged ears by Amiga+Lover · · Score: 5, Funny

    People who've had their ears damaged by gunfire

    I immediately wondered how a pill would protect against being shot in the side of the head.