Personal Audio Devices Fuel Hearing Loss

Editor: In recognition of Better Hearing and Speech Month (May), Hollins Communications Research Institute has published a press release that highlights the danger of personal audio devices. If you're thinking this is the same old thing, you may be pleasantly surprised by some of the information in this article.

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The surge in the use of iPods and other MP3 players, supported by persuasive advertising slogans including "live life loud," is fueling the nation's hearing-loss epidemic, according to Dr. Ronald Webster, executive director of the Hollins Communications Research Institute (HCRI) in Roanoke, Virginia.

Research data suggests that people are resisting repeated warnings from audiologists, hearing associations, and published reports to "turn down the volume" on their personal music players and protect their gift-of-hearing for the long term.

With May designated as Better Hearing and Speech Month, hearing advocates hope to change the tide and educate consumers on the importance of hearing protection and screening.

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) cites that more than 30 million Americans have some form of hearing loss, with more than one-third or 10 million attributed to excessive sound exposure. Audiologists across the country are seeing a swell in hearing loss cases and are treating increasing numbers of young adults and teens for noise-induced hearing damage.

A recent study commissioned by the American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association (ASHA) revealed that more than half of high school students surveyed who used personal music players reported at least one symptom of irreversible hearing loss.

Last month Apple, Inc. announced iPod sales have topped the 100 million mark. In addition, industry reports suggest there are 41 million other types of MP3 players that are expected to be sold across the U.S. this year. An April 2007 study by James Media indicates continued, escalated sales of MP3 players. More than half of respondents who don't own an iPod or other MP3 brand indicated intent to buy in 2007.

"With nearly 150 million personal music players on the market - and sales continuing to climb, hearing loss will become as prolific as these devices," Dr. Webster said. "IPod users are ignoring warnings that loud and prolonged exposure will give them permanent hearing damage."

According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, frequent and extended exposure to sound pressure in excess of 85 decibels can cause long-term hearing loss. Many MP3 users listen at much higher levels - often without realizing the risk. Some personal music players can reach more than 115 decibels, representing significant potential for damage in a matter of a few minutes.

Advancements in personal audio technology and design help drive the nation's growing hearing-loss trend. Today's music players give consumers enhanced portability, song storage and battery life, which promote more frequent listening at longer durations. The popular in-ear headsets, called ear buds, pump music directly into the ear canal and produce higher decibel output than over-the-ear models. This causes more damage to tiny hair cells of the inner ear that are responsible for sending sound information to the brain.

"People don't think about taking care of their ears because there are no overt or alarming symptoms that create a sense of urgency. Noise-induced hearing damage occurs gradually over time before people notice they are having hearing difficulties," Dr. Webster explained.

"More awareness and education is essential, and electronics companies need to step up and do more to protect their customers' hearing health. It's not just a matter of adding volume control features, like those available with iPods," Dr. Webster advises. "Preventing hearing damage requires giving consumers information and tools to understand risks and determine appropriate, safe listening levels."

Awareness initiatives such as Better Hearing and Speech Month, which was launched in 1927 by the Council for Better Hearing and Speech, call the public's attention to hearing-loss issues, preventive measures and the importance of annual hearing screenings. Other resources and programs such as BHI's screening day in May, ASHA's student-focused Web site, listentoyourbuds.com, and a plethora of hearing resources on health-related Web sites support the much-needed consumer educational effort.

Products on the market such as volume controls, noise-canceling earphones, and various types of ear plugs help address the growing hearing-loss problem by reducing decibel output. Consumers must determine on their own when they need to use these products.

A new hand-held device, Ear3 (http://www.Ear3.info), helps address this issue by using calibrated electronics to assess sound levels, determine hearing threats, and alert users when they are in danger of permanently damaging their hearing. Developed by HCRI, Ear3 features a sound chamber that simulates the human ear canal for accurate sound readings when using ear buds or headsets, and when evaluating sounds from more distant sources. Colored lights indicate sound safety levels so users can take immediate action by using ear plugs, adjusting sound volume, or changing environments.

Resources on Hearing Loss Treatment and Prevention:

- Better Hearing Institute: http://www.betterhearing.org

- Hollins Communications Research Institute Hearing Center: http://www.hcrihearing.org

- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: http://www.asha.org

- Ear3: http://www.ear3.info

- Hearing Loss Association of America: http://www.shhh.org