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Hearing Conservation and teaching people to be  aware of the possible damage to their hearing is  a ongoing issue.   In a world where its cool to turn up the music, listen to mp3 players,  and talk on  cell phones  raises the question, whats the effects of theses devices on  a persons hearing.

Its well recognized that exposure to excessive loud noise levels that exceed 80dB can harm a persons hearing.  In the work environment exposure to loud sounds is regulated and limits are set in place to ensure the saftey of workers ears.  The sound loudness  level  and length of time exposure are all contributing factors when it comes to hearing loss.

Common knowledge is  that music played to loud will effect a person hearing overtime.  People who listen to music through their Mp3 players are often listening for hours at a time.  Most Mp3 players can generate sound volume in excess of 80db and some models can generate sound as high as 120dB.   This volume of sound is equivalent to  a jet taking off.   Listening to sounds at this level can  trigger temporary hearing loss and overtime permanent hearing loss.  In September of 2009 the European Union is now taking a look at mandating manufactures to limit the output  of Mp3 players that are manufactured, and sold in Europe.   An EU scientific advisory body says that between 2.5 million and 10 million Europeans could suffer hearing loss from listening to MP3 players at unsafe volumes.  This is important to notice that a huge majority of that group are younger.

Its hard to convince people  especially kids to turn down their music.  Hearing loss can be very slow to notice.  In the hearing aid industry the numbers are growing as the generation of music lovers start to notice their hearing loss.  ”I think we need to see the writing on the wall and just turn down the music.”

Related articles by Zemanta

• EU to set volume limits on MP3 players (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Music player noise limit planned (news.bbc.co.uk)

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