MP3 players equal a deaf generation?

Written by Musical Miester

Friday, 16 September 2005

Anyone who hasn't been living in a cave can see that MP3/digital audio players are here to stay. Whether it's an Apple, Creative, or iRiver device, it doesn't really matter. Portable digital music is here: and there isn't anything the record labels can do about it. But with this audio freedom, there is also a price: technologically induced deafness. Typically of people, when it comes to enjoyment, never is enough, and this can lead to some serious hearing problems...

Back in the good ol' days of the walkman, people were still becoming used to the fact that you could have your own music whereever you went. But let's face it, the quality sucked and if you ever intended to travel anywhere, you always had to have a huge back-pack of casette tapes. Then, of course, the battery of such devices was not usually recharable and only lasted a few hours...

Ahh.. how times have changed. Digital audio devices allow you to have your own music collection on hand at any time of day: and we are not talking a few CDs worth here - we are talking hundreds of songs. With this new-found freedom however, comes something of a new social issue. No one wants to hear each other on public transport, in a crowded office, or any other matter of boring social situations. Therfore, it's onyl naturual to crank up the volume on your digital audio device. Block everyone and every sound out. Sounds good? Get back to grooving when all around you is dull.

The problem is, most people don't really recognise one simple fact: sticking a headphone bud in your ear and cranking it to max volume is just about the best way to damage your hearing. Sure your rave parties and rock gigs have excessive amplified volume: but the key difference with headphones is that they are 5mm away from your ear drum. Most people equate loudness with potential hearing deafness - right? Wrong! A little headphone is so close to your eardrum it can do way more damage than a typical club or rock gig setup.

So why the bitching? Well, listen here, if I can here you iPod cranking away and I'm a few metres away from you: it's too loud! Not for me, it's just an annoyance. But for you, it is doing serious damage. Music is cool, it's great to listen too. But don't confuse sheer volume with listening quality. Look towards the old skool rock'n'roll guys: too much time in front of massive amps screwed their hearing over, and yet you want to stick the same thing right in your ear?

Digital music players are a godsend... but please folks...keep 'em low if you value hearing anything in a few years.

Let's be careful out there.

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