All iPods come with a warning "permanent hearing loss may occur if earphones or headphones are used at high volume." Now the European Commission wants all MP3s and cell phones to have a built-in, removable noise limit of 80 decibels. Should the U.S. follow suit? Currently, MP3 default volumes range from 80 to 115 decibels. Earphones or Earbuds add up to 9 decibels. Normal conversation is about 60 dB, street noise 80, a loud rock concert 115, a plane taking off -- 115 + decibels. The BBC sited a recent study that showed that listening to music at high volumes for more than one hour a day over five years can lead to permanent damage, and that one in ten MP3 users is at risk.
Audiologist Dr. Stephen Glasser, AuD., director of Long Island Audiology (Great Neck and Rockville Centre), is available to comment. He is also able to test ipod volume at events..
October is Audiology Awareness and Protect Your Hearing Month.
