I I ♥ My IPod♥ My IPod

How often do you listen to your MP3 Player or IPod? How often do you listen to your MP3 Player or IPod?

Do you like to put on your headphones and Do you like to put on your headphones and crank up the volume on your favorite song?crank up the volume on your favorite song?

Can others hear your music before they see Can others hear your music before they see you?you?

If you answered If you answered yesyes to the to the last two questions, you may last two questions, you may want to consider adjusting want to consider adjusting your IPod or MP3 player your IPod or MP3 player usage.usage.

The usage of portable music players has The usage of portable music players has become a part of our everyday lives. In become a part of our everyday lives. In fact, an estimated 22 million Americans fact, an estimated 22 million Americans own an IPod. own an IPod.

We often incorporate it into normal daily We often incorporate it into normal daily routines such as: studying, exercising, routines such as: studying, exercising, commuting, and in our spare timecommuting, and in our spare time

Listening to music can be an enjoyable Listening to music can be an enjoyable experience that often helps us complete experience that often helps us complete our daily tasks and routines. However, one our daily tasks and routines. However, one must consider some of the risks that we must consider some of the risks that we are exposed to as we listen to our favorite are exposed to as we listen to our favorite tunes. tunes.

. .

What is at risk?What is at risk?

Adverse long-term effects could result from Adverse long-term effects could result from improper usage of headphones and improper usage of headphones and excessive volume. excessive volume.

The following items are compromised: The following items are compromised:

Hearing Hearing

SafetySafety

While portable music players are a While portable music players are a source that hold our music, the main source that hold our music, the main culprits that put music enthusiasts at risk culprits that put music enthusiasts at risk are:are:

HeadphonesHeadphones

VolumeVolume

So, what does this have So, what does this have to do with your music? to do with your music?

To begin to understand the effects that To begin to understand the effects that loud music can have on our hearing, we loud music can have on our hearing, we must have an understanding of how must have an understanding of how our hearing works…our hearing works…

The Human EarThe Human EarThe ear is The ear is

made up of made up of three three different different sections:sections:

1.1. Outer EarOuter Ear

2.2. Middle EarMiddle Ear

3.3. Inner EarInner Ear

How It All WorksHow It All WorksBasic Process of Human HearingBasic Process of Human Hearing

When we are exposed to a noise the sound travels down the When we are exposed to a noise the sound travels down the ear canal. When the sound waves hit the eardrum in the ear canal. When the sound waves hit the eardrum in the middle ear, the eardrum starts to vibrate. middle ear, the eardrum starts to vibrate.

When the eardrum vibrates, it moves three tiny bones in When the eardrum vibrates, it moves three tiny bones in your ear. These bones are called the hammer (or malleus), your ear. These bones are called the hammer (or malleus), anvil (or incus), and stirrup (or stapes). They help sound anvil (or incus), and stirrup (or stapes). They help sound move along on its journey into the inner ear.move along on its journey into the inner ear.

The vibrations then travel to the cochlea, which is filled with The vibrations then travel to the cochlea, which is filled with liquid and lined with cells that have thousands of tiny hairs liquid and lined with cells that have thousands of tiny hairs on their surfaces. There are two types of hair cells: the outer on their surfaces. There are two types of hair cells: the outer and inner cells. and inner cells.

The process continues…

The sound vibrations make the tiny hairs move. The outer The sound vibrations make the tiny hairs move. The outer hair cells take the sound information, amplify it (make it hair cells take the sound information, amplify it (make it louder), and tune it. The inner hair cells send the sound louder), and tune it. The inner hair cells send the sound information to your hearing nerve, which then sends it to information to your hearing nerve, which then sends it to your brain, allowing you to hearyour brain, allowing you to hear

Now that we understand how hearing Now that we understand how hearing works let’s discuss how loud music can works let’s discuss how loud music can impact it.impact it.

While listening to music, the tiny hairs on the innermost part While listening to music, the tiny hairs on the innermost part of the cochlea sway back and forth in fluid as the sound of the cochlea sway back and forth in fluid as the sound waves hit our eardrums. waves hit our eardrums.

However, if the sound is too loud, these hairs sway too far However, if the sound is too loud, these hairs sway too far and can get damaged. This results in damage to the hearing and can get damaged. This results in damage to the hearing and could also lead to hearing loss. and could also lead to hearing loss.

The hairs of the cochlea are responsible for sound clarity. The hairs of the cochlea are responsible for sound clarity. Once these hairs are damaged they do not grow back. Once these hairs are damaged they do not grow back.

So what’s the big So what’s the big deal ?deal ?

Headphones are placed closely to our ears thus Headphones are placed closely to our ears thus exposing us to the loud sounds that can damage our exposing us to the loud sounds that can damage our hearing. hearing.

Additionally, many people use earbuds when listening Additionally, many people use earbuds when listening to portable music players. Since earbuds are placed to portable music players. Since earbuds are placed directly into the ear this further puts its user at risk for directly into the ear this further puts its user at risk for hearing damage. hearing damage.

Furthermore, some audiologists warn that the use of Furthermore, some audiologists warn that the use of earbuds could boost the sound signal by as much as six earbuds could boost the sound signal by as much as six to nine decibels. to nine decibels.

What is a decibel?What is a decibel?

A decibel is a unit of measurement A decibel is a unit of measurement used to indicate how loud a sound used to indicate how loud a sound is. Continuous exposure to sound is. Continuous exposure to sound above 80 decibels could be harmful. above 80 decibels could be harmful.

Relating to Everyday LifeRelating to Everyday LifeDecibel levels of common sounds

60 db Every day conversation, ringing telephone

70 db A restaurant

80 db Heavy city traffic, alarm clock at 2 ft. away, factory noise, vacuum cleaner, garbage disposal

90 db Subway trains, motorcycle, lawnmower

100 db Chainsaw, drill

110 db Dance Club

120 db Rock concert speaker sound, sandblasting, thunderclap

130 db Jet take off, gunfire

150 db Rock music peak

Consider this…Consider this…Keep in mind the decibel levels of common sounds Keep in mind the decibel levels of common sounds found on the previous chart. Audiologists have found on the previous chart. Audiologists have known students to listen to music at 110 to 120 known students to listen to music at 110 to 120 decibels. Exposure to this level of sound is enough decibels. Exposure to this level of sound is enough to cause hearing loss after only about 1 hour and 15 to cause hearing loss after only about 1 hour and 15 minutes. minutes.

Headphones usually allow us to listen to music at Headphones usually allow us to listen to music at higher volume than loud speakers. Scientists have higher volume than loud speakers. Scientists have measured sound levels of MP3 players. At 70 percent measured sound levels of MP3 players. At 70 percent of volume they pump out 85 decibels. Pairing both of volume they pump out 85 decibels. Pairing both of these could spell danger for a person who uses of these could spell danger for a person who uses headphones to listen to a portable music device.headphones to listen to a portable music device.

Now, consider the Now, consider the decibel level at which decibel level at which

you listen to your you listen to your music!music!

You are not alone…You are not alone…

Audiologists estimate that 15 to 25 percent of Audiologists estimate that 15 to 25 percent of MP3 player users listen at hazardous levels.MP3 player users listen at hazardous levels.

In a 2001 study, researchers at the U.S. In a 2001 study, researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported noise induced hearing loss in 12.5% reported noise induced hearing loss in 12.5% of Americans between the ages of 6 and 19of Americans between the ages of 6 and 19

In previous research young adults between In previous research young adults between the ages of 18-24 were more likely than older the ages of 18-24 were more likely than older adults to exceed safe listening limits.adults to exceed safe listening limits.

Putting It Into PerspectivePutting It Into Perspective

The risk of hearing damage from listening to loud The risk of hearing damage from listening to loud music on headphones is high.music on headphones is high.

Exposure to loud noise for any duration of time can Exposure to loud noise for any duration of time can result in temporary and/or permanent hearing loss.result in temporary and/or permanent hearing loss.

If the noise around you is so loud that you have to If the noise around you is so loud that you have to shout to be heard, there is a chance that your ear shout to be heard, there is a chance that your ear can be injured.can be injured.

While hearing damage from excessive noise While hearing damage from excessive noise exposure is not always permanent be aware, over exposure is not always permanent be aware, over time permanent hearing loss can occur. time permanent hearing loss can occur.

Hearing damage can be gradual, cumulative and Hearing damage can be gradual, cumulative and without obvious warning signs. However, signs of without obvious warning signs. However, signs of exposure to excessive sound include ringing in the exposure to excessive sound include ringing in the ears, hissing, clicking, or buzzing sounds. These ears, hissing, clicking, or buzzing sounds. These sounds are also common of tinnitus. While in many sounds are also common of tinnitus. While in many cases the tinnitus ringing may not be serious; it cases the tinnitus ringing may not be serious; it could be quite annoying to hear constant ringing in could be quite annoying to hear constant ringing in your ears. your ears.

Combining normal hearing depreciation that occurs Combining normal hearing depreciation that occurs with age, exposure to high volume on headphones with age, exposure to high volume on headphones could accelerate hearing loss. could accelerate hearing loss.

What can you do now?What can you do now? Limit earphone listening to an hour per day at a reasonable Limit earphone listening to an hour per day at a reasonable

setting no greater than six on a ten notch scale, using 60% of its setting no greater than six on a ten notch scale, using 60% of its potential volume.potential volume.

Remember to turn down the volume when wearing headphones. Remember to turn down the volume when wearing headphones. If someone can hear the music from your earphones from several If someone can hear the music from your earphones from several feet away, it is more than likely too loud!feet away, it is more than likely too loud!

Give your ears a rest once in a while. Challenge yourself to go Give your ears a rest once in a while. Challenge yourself to go one day without using your headphones.one day without using your headphones.

If you experience constant ringing or swishing sounds in your ears If you experience constant ringing or swishing sounds in your ears or are concerned about your hearing or are concerned about your hearing visit your physician.visit your physician.

Use noise cancellation headphones, but with caution. Use noise cancellation headphones, but with caution.

Noise Cancellation Headphones

Noise cancellation headphones reduce unwanted outside noise (crying baby, chatty neighbor, heavy traffic, etc.)

We often turn up our headphones to drown out the sounds around us. With noise cancellation headphones you are able to enjoy your music while not having to turn up the volume excessively. This allows you to listen to your music at lower decibel levels therefore you can listen to your music longer than with regular headphones or earbuds.

These headphones also provide better clarity and sound quality. Additionally they tend to be more comfortable on the ears.

If Noise Cancellation Headphones are so great, why caution

its use?

It is important to be aware of your surroundings

If you are walking alone you should consider removing your headphones or turning the volume low so that you can hear. You don’t want to be a target for a crime!

You should also consider removing your headphones or turning the volume low if you are walking in a heavy traffic area or one that may contain heavy machinery. This is important so that you hear sirens, horns, or anything meant to warn you.

I ♥ MEI ♥ MEMP3 players and IPods are helpful and MP3 players and IPods are helpful and enjoyable to listen to. However, it is enjoyable to listen to. However, it is important to always important to always keep safety firstkeep safety first. .

While we may love our portable music While we may love our portable music device, we should love ourselves even device, we should love ourselves even more and use them responsibly to reduce more and use them responsibly to reduce risks to our health. risks to our health.

Quiz Your Knowledge1.1. Approximately how many Americans own an IPod?Approximately how many Americans own an IPod?

2.2. What areas are compromised by improper usage of headphones and What areas are compromised by improper usage of headphones and excessive volume? excessive volume?

3.3. The main culprits that put music enthusiasts at risk are_______ and The main culprits that put music enthusiasts at risk are_______ and ________.________.

4.4. The ear is made up of __________different sections.The ear is made up of __________different sections.

5.5. If sound is too loud what can happen to the tiny hairs in the cochlea?If sound is too loud what can happen to the tiny hairs in the cochlea?

6.6. What is a decibel?What is a decibel?

7.7. Continuous exposure to sound above ____decibels could be harmful.Continuous exposure to sound above ____decibels could be harmful.

8.8. In previous research young adults between the ages of _______were In previous research young adults between the ages of _______were more likely than older adults to exceed safe listening limits.more likely than older adults to exceed safe listening limits.

9.9. What are noise cancellation headphones?What are noise cancellation headphones?

10.10. How can loud volume on headphones compromise your personal How can loud volume on headphones compromise your personal safety?safety?

Answers1.1. an estimated 22 million Americans own an IPod.an estimated 22 million Americans own an IPod.

2.2. Hearing and safetyHearing and safety

3.3. Headphones and volumeHeadphones and volume

4.4. The ear is made up of three different sections.The ear is made up of three different sections.

5.5. If sound is too loud what these hairs sway too far and can get damaged.If sound is too loud what these hairs sway too far and can get damaged.

6.6. A decibel is a unit of measurement used to indicate how loud a sound is. A decibel is a unit of measurement used to indicate how loud a sound is.

7.7. Continuous exposure to sound above 80 decibels could be harmfulContinuous exposure to sound above 80 decibels could be harmful

8.8. In previous research young adults between the ages of 18-24 were more likely In previous research young adults between the ages of 18-24 were more likely

than older adults to exceed safe listening limits.than older adults to exceed safe listening limits.

9. Noise cancellation headphones reduce unwanted outside noise (crying baby,

chatty neighbor, heavy traffic, etc.)

10. See slide 24.

For More information check out these websites!

Better Hearing.orghttp://www.betterhearing.org

American Speech-Language-Hearing Associationhttp://www.asha.org

Howard Hughes Medical Institutehttp://www.hhmi.org/senses/

Hear It.orghttp://www.hearit.org

Hearing Testhttp://www.audiorelief.co.uk/en/tinnitus_test.html

Test Your Hearinghttp://www.egopont.com