Hearing loss?

I have been reading a lot of stories lately about the risk of hearing loss associated with earbud-style headphones. As a rabid audiophile, I feel that the issue deserves immediate attention from consumer advocacy groups.

Imagine a product that often causes permanent injury to consumers. Imagine that the longer one uses it, the harder it becomes to use it safely. Imagine that most users start before the age of 18.

The example of cigarettes comes to mind. We now know the health risks. We know that nicotine is addicitive - some say more so than heroin. Studies have also shown that most people will never start smoking if they don't already by the age of 18.

Likewise, listening to headphones too loud for too long is harmful. Even at levels that feel comfortable, there may be damage occurring. I read recently (I forget where) that listening to an iPod at 60% volume is only safe for about half an hour! Additionally, the more impaired your hearing, the louder you will turn it up - and it is still doing damage. And a recent poll demonstrates that teenagers are the most susceptible.

Unlike tobacco, earbud headphones can be made much, much safer. Apple sells a different version of its standard earbuds that molds to the contours of the ear canal, blocking much of the outside noise that interferes with listening. Since purchasing a pair, I can listen to most music at about 40% volume on the bus and about 10% at home. It's a little more expensive than the standard pair, but well worth the additional cost if it will help preserve what remains of my hearing.

I propose a two-tiered solution: that a) Apple and other manufacturers of portable music players include noise-blocking headphones with their products, and b) these manufacturers reduce the volume scale by at least 30% (the iPod already allows you to manually reduce the playback volume on selected songs). If advocacy groups go after Apple, Creative, etc., with half the furvor that they have with the tobacco companies, I'm sure that these simple goals could be accomplished.

Consumer issues aside, we still have a personal responsibility to protect our own hearing as much as we can. If you love music, invest in noise-blocking headphones and reduce the volume. I wish I had - before I started to experience tinnitus and hearing loss.

On that note, here's what's on my iPod today:

1. Saturday Looks Good to Me: All Your Summer Songs
2. Spoon: Girls Can Tell
3. Boards of Canada: The Campfire Headphase
4. TV on the Radio: Young Liars
5. Sinéad O'Connor: The Lion and the Cobra
6. Iggy Pop: The Idiot
7. Cat Stevens: Tea for the Tillerman
8. Lou Reed: Transformer