I'm at a loss...NOT!
One of the things that bothers me about advances in technology is that sometimes those same advances help contribute to irreversible damage. Let's take the iPod hearing loss case. Common sense tells us that exposure to loud noise, especially over a prolonged period of time, can result in damage to the delicate mechanisms of the ear and lead to hearing loss.
Those of us who’ve ever been to a shooting range know that while there, eye and ear protection are a must. It just seems like common sense. Likewise, when you shove those little iPod ear buds in your ear canal and crank up the volume really loud, you have to expect that might have a damaging effect, as well.
Personally, I hate ear buds as they never seem fit into my ears properly and seldom stay put. As a runner, I like to listen to music when I’m running, however, the ear buds block out so many of the sounds around me that I can't hear cars coming or horns blaring. If I do take along my iPod, I use "open air" headphones instead. These soft headphones "float" over my ears in a foam pad that allow me to hear the noises around me while I also listen to my favorite tunes. While I can't blame the iPod (or any portable music player for that matter) for hearing loss, I do think the ear buds have to go. Still, I know plenty of folks who disagree -– blocking out unwanted sounds is exactly why they use their ear buds! Â
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