News & Press
Londoners Risk Health with MP3 Players | 11 Jun 2010
Two thirds of Londoners play their MP3 players at volume levels exceeding the safe limit, according to a survey carried out during Noise Action Week.
Cubex Hearing Centre hit the streets of London during 26-30 April, measuring the levels at which people use their ipods/MP3 players with the help of two interactive acoustic mannequins.
They tested almost 60 people every day and discovered that 66% of the people tested exceeded the safety limit of 85 decibels, with "some of them listening to their iPods at a volume similar to a pneumatic drill or a jet engine".
One gentlemen, who listened to his music louder than 100 decibels, was experiencing the classic signs of tinnitus including ringing in the ears and headaches. Another young lady was listening at 110 db, equivalent to a propeller aircraft taking off.
"Even more interesting was that she was aware that she could be damaging her hearing," said Cubex's Adam Shulberg. "Only after a thorough discussion with us she understood how important is to put the volume down a notch. Hopefully she'll remember this for the future."
Shulberg added that unless people take steps to protect their hearing they could be risking permanent damage to their ears, resulting in problems such as tinnitus and hearing loss.
"Cubex is urging people to be aware of the risks to hearing from over exposure to loud music in clubs, at concerts and from their iPods/MP3s so they can continue to enjoy their favourite music," he said.
Playing MP3 players at a high volume can also cause nuisance for those around you.
"Listening to headphones too loud for too long, whether it be on the street, when travelling or while at work, can seriously harm our hearing. Noise escaping from headphones is also really annoying to anyone in earshot," said Mary Stevens, Policy Officer at Environmental Protection UK.