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Earbud Headphones May Cause Hearing Loss
benr writes "According to an AP report, the earbud headphones that are so popular for ipods and other portable devices may lead to hearing loss. From the article: "The big culprits aren't the devices themselves, but the tiny 'ear bud' style headphones that the music players use. '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'""
Loud stuff hurts ears.
'my ear still isn't at "peak efficiency". Won't make that mistake twice.'
It could be beneficial to make the mistake twice... at least your hearing would be balanced.
!sig
I'm fairly sure the loudness in movie previews is caused by a tendency in recent years for audio producers to make a sound "louder" by amplifying the audio signal.
You're fairly sure it's louder because they're making it louder?
"Sufferin' succotash."
I really don't see the point you're trying to make with that statement.
He's trying to prove that music elitists can find some way to insert a jab at popular music in any conversation, regardless of the relevance.
Obviously, we need more muff-type devices! I mean really, what problem couldn't be solved by making things more muff-like?
Are you the guy that hums along to elevator music?
The rule of thumb suggested by researchers at Boston Children's Hospital is to hold the volume of a music player no higher than 60 percent of the maximum, and use it for only about an hour a day.
Unfortunately, this recommendation is likely to fall on deaf ears.
Dear Will, the plums were poisoned. -- Cheese Club
Sweet, I have a pair of those too! You don't need to turn them up nearly as much as a pair of earbuds to get the same quality of sound, but yeah, I agree that turning it up just to block out background noise isn't just anti-social, it's unhealthy.
;-)
Those that say it's necessary in some situations (on a bus/train/etc) should really reconsider where and how they listen to music. Truly, the most enjoyable and healthy way to listen to music is with a quality stereo system in your living room, but if you must take your tunes to go, may I suggest this: use a pair of earbuds in your nose.
No, seriously. Place each earbud in your nostrils, close your lips but leave your jaw open. Then plug your ears and enjoy -- just remember to breathe every once in a while. Not only does this produce a really cool voice-in-your-head effect, you can crank your player to the max, and cut out the background noise without fear of hearing loss because it's resonating in your sinuses and mouth instead of your ear canals.
The downside: it diminishes the stereo effect some and people tend to look at you funny -- a small price to pay.
This sig rocks the casbah.