Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Ipods, awesome but potentially hazardous

Let’s talk about something we should actually worry about. Ipods and other MP3 players have catapulted the 21st century into a digital age. They provide hours if not days of music without having to repeat a cd, rewind a cassette, or what ever you do with an 8-track. Is this a crime? Most certainly not! What should be considered carefully though, is the volume at which they are played. An article on usatoday.com said that according to some independent research, Ipods can play music at up to 120 decibels. If that number doesn’t say much, go for a stroll down a runway and listen to the airplanes taking off. Or, you can attend your favorite concert, just be sure to get a spot near the speakers for the full effect.
In France, the government contacted Apple and requested the Ipods imported into their country be set at 100 decibels, “only” about as loud as a chainsaw. This is one attempt to save hearing loss for later years. Please, enjoy your music as much as you want, but remember to enjoy your hearing more.

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