EU Body Finds Reason To Turn Down The Volume
We've all heard it before -- "turn that music down, or you'll lose your
hearing!" According to a European Union scientific body, said phrase
has never been truer. According to new data released this week by the
EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks
(what a mouthful!), up to ten million young Europeans are "in danger of
damaging their hearing by playing their MP3 personal music players too
loud."
Rather obviously, the study found that "listening to MP3 players and other personal music players at high volumes for long periods of time could cause loss of hearing and tinnitus, a ringing sensation in the ears." In more interesting news, it also discovered that between five and ten percent of MP3 users risk permanent hearing loss if they listen to a personal music player for more than one hour per day, each week at high volume settings for a period of at least five years. Of course, this becomes all the more serious when you consider that there's currently no cure for hearing loss or tinnitus.
Stephen Russell of the pan-European ANEC consumer safety group stated:
"Let's be frank -- we are looking at a catastrophe unless something is
done soon." Quite honestly, that statement seems a bit sensationalist
to us, but we don't deny that listening to music at remarkably high
levels is harmful to one's health. Looking for a tip on how to prevent
it? Take that volume dial down a notch or two, and make sure your
youngster does the same.
Rather obviously, the study found that "listening to MP3 players and other personal music players at high volumes for long periods of time could cause loss of hearing and tinnitus, a ringing sensation in the ears." In more interesting news, it also discovered that between five and ten percent of MP3 users risk permanent hearing loss if they listen to a personal music player for more than one hour per day, each week at high volume settings for a period of at least five years. Of course, this becomes all the more serious when you consider that there's currently no cure for hearing loss or tinnitus.
Stephen Russell of the pan-European ANEC consumer safety group stated:
"Let's be frank -- we are looking at a catastrophe unless something is
done soon." Quite honestly, that statement seems a bit sensationalist
to us, but we don't deny that listening to music at remarkably high
levels is harmful to one's health. Looking for a tip on how to prevent
it? Take that volume dial down a notch or two, and make sure your
youngster does the same.
