Connecticut Consumer Protection Department Warns Children at Risk of Hearing Loss or Ear Injuries from iPods & Personal Audio Players
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection warns of Risk to Children of Serious Ear Injury or Hearing Loss from personal audio players, iPods, MP3 players and other personal audio devices
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, children’s ears are at risk of serious injury, including hearing loss, from the loud, in the ear sounds produced by today’s iPods, MP3 players, and other personal audio devices. While these products may not have been deemed defective, it’s the fact that they work so well that makes them dangerous. These electronic music players are some of the most requested holiday and special occasion items on our kids’ wish lists. They are also marketed to and purchased directly by kids who are good savers, or who have a successful paper route, internet business, or if they were lucky enough to have a valuable trading card to sell.
These devices are small, powerful and have battery lives that allow the user to listen for longer than the old Sony Walkman-esque music players. Most include “ear buds” or “in-the-ear”-type earphones, creating direct paths to the eardrum. Many players are capable of producing sound up to 120 decibels. That’s the equivalent of a jumbo jet taking off, or a rock concert near the speakers (see Wiikepdia under “120 decibels”). At levels above about 85 decibels, children are exposed to a serious risk of early hearing impairment, especially when used for prolonged periods of time, according to experts in child hearing loss. iPods, and some other brands have a volume limiting setting that parents can control, and can make permanent by also using a security code to lock it in place. Because the user may not always be in a place where parental monitoring is possible, these types of protections can make a difference.
Another method of reducing the risk of serious injury to the ears of children, and adults, too, is to use noise-cancelling ear-buds or headphones, which are usually only available as an aftermarket item, but which allow for listening at lower volumes by reducing outside noise.
However, all must acknowledge the risk of serious injury to children’s ears and hearing if they are allowed to listen without limiting the time and volume. The harm might be unseen on the outside, but it is certainly going to leave a mark on the inside. If you, your child, friends or relatives have suffered an injury to the ear, of have suffered hearing loss from excessive noise exposure, know your rights by contacting a personal injury attorney experienced in handling claims for serious personal injuries.
iPod Use Now Can Mean Deafness Later
12-22-08 McClatchy-Tribune, by Jodi Mailander Farrell
