Hearing loss no deci-bull

By: Kari Albsmeyer

Posted: 11/19/08

MP3 players are becoming an increasingly popular form of entertainment. Recently, issues have arisen due to the likelihood that these portable digital music players have caused irreversible hearing loss to those who use them. Apple was even sued over the matter in 2006.

Many researchers have looked into the subject, and audiologist Cory D.F. Portnuff has released what he believes to be the key to listening to such devices without the risk of developing hearing loss.

Other researchers have released a recommendation they call the 60/60 rule. This means that a person should listen to their portable digital music player at no greater than 60 percent of the maximum volume for 60 minutes a day. If an individual wishes to listen to their device for a longer period of time, he or she must turn the volume down even lower.

Amanda Silberer, licensed audiologist, and Western Illinois University instructor in audiology, said she agrees that students are ruining their hearing by blasting their iPods.

Silberer said she has not noticed an increase in the number of students and young people with hearing loss, but she also stated that students do not usually come in with concerns about their hearing.

If students feel they may have developed a hearing loss or just want to make sure they have normal hearing, they can get their hearing tested for free by supervised students majoring in audiology, at the Western Illinois University Hearing Clinic in Currens Hall. Appointments can be made by calling 309/298-1955.

If students think there is even a possibility they may have a hearing loss, they need to get their hearing tested. A lot of people do not realize that hearing loss is progressive and nothing can stop the progression once hearing loss is present.

Progression of hearing loss can only be slowed through the use of hearing aids. A lot of myths surround hearing aids. What many people do not realize is hearing aids are not like eyeglasses in that they are not corrective. They will restore some hearing, but there is no guarantee that a person will ever have normal hearing again.

"We know a lot about hearing loss now and it would be in (students') best interest to be smart when listening to these devices," Silberer said.

Tips that people need to keep in mind when listening to their digital music players are to not use the music to block out background noise and never turn the volume up as loud as it will go. Also, makers of these devices did not intend for them to be used for hours on end.

A basic rule of thumb is if a person has to take his or her earphones out of his or her ears to hear a person speaking, then the music is too loud.