DigitalCMH wrote:
Did you really read the story?  He didn't blame the iPod.  He blames extended use of studio headphones.  Ear specialists have seemingly always been against putting anything in your ears especially noise producing products.  My brother's hearing has always a bit off and he used head phones a lot.  But he also used drugs...so who knows.

Hence me adding "headphones for that matter" in my initial post.

theda wrote:
I can hear the TV on mute.

I can't hear it, but I certainly enjoy it more on mute.

wirehead arts wrote:
It's not iPods, it's that people are being far too cavalier about their hearing and won't realize how dumb they were being until they are 50-60.

That people now have cranked up volume on their iPods feeding earbuds and listening for 8+ hours a day, that's going to make people lose hearing faster.

You got that right! I spent 15 years playing in bar bands, standing in front of cranked up amps ... and I can testify that nothing can replace the missing high end. My slim consolation whenever I hear someone with their car system cranked up to ear bleed levels you can literally hear in the next block is knowing they'll pay for it.

(Nope, I can't hear 'em clearly ... but I can feel the bass.)

Nate Boguszewski wrote:
the iPod is only causing the death of social interaction in public areas.

All hail the ipod!

theda wrote:
All hail the ipod!

yeaarrrgh.

Rick Edwards wrote:
I remember reading a study that said if you could hear a walkman (old study) from across a subway car while the subway was moving, the moron (I mean listener) was playing it at approximately 115 to 120 dB.  120 dB is the threshold of pain and any prolonged exposure over 100 dB would cause long term damage.

I'm a musician and it's actually prolonged exposure to anything louder that 85db that will damage your hearing over time. 85db is a good volume conversation if you're standing next to someone. Our hearing is really only designed to cope with conversation (thats why we're most sensitive to the frequencies that speech occurs in)

Brian Diaz wrote:

I can't hear it, but I certainly enjoy it more on mute.

especially during any mtv programming.. mute is great... wish  i could put the mute on when i'm at my friend's place so i don't have to listen to half those crappy reality shows... egad..

Phil Kimpton wrote:
I know my hearing is screwed up... mainly due to my junior high/high school years I'd be mowing the lawn with my walkman cranked to 10....  And with being at certain metal shows  taking photos I'm practically up against the speakers.. so I'm sure that isn't helping too much.. even with ear plugs... I get this ringing every now & then.. and alot of times I do have to have some repeat what the say as I miss it the first time..

you should get a good pair of earplugs if you shoot shows alot. Musician earplugs just cut intensity, not the quality of sound. They're $120-200 but worth it.

Angelo Lorenzo  wrote:

I'm a musician and it's actually prolonged exposure to anything louder that 85db that will damage your hearing over time. 85db is a good volume conversation if you're standing next to someone. Our hearing is really only designed to cope with conversation (thats why we're most sensitive to the frequencies that speech occurs in)

told you it's been a while since I read the report, I'm sure your numbers are more accurate

Joe Kozlowski wrote:

You got that right! I spent 15 years playing in bar bands, standing in front of cranked up amps ... and I can testify that nothing can replace the missing high end. My slim consolation whenever I hear someone with their car system cranked up to ear bleed levels you can literally hear in the next block is knowing they'll pay for it.

(Nope, I can't hear 'em clearly ... but I can feel the bass.)

Every summer I get them driving down the street.. bass cranked to earbleed.. vibrating the entire house.. at 3am no less... wtf!

That and once at a mall I was leaving it heading back to my car in the parking garage.. I heard this really low bass that was hurting my ears unbelievably.. I looked around while covering my ears.. and saw these 3 or 4 17/18 yr old punks.. driving a souped up car with stereo cranked.. flashing lights all over.. driving by setting off everyones car alarms with the vibration from the bass... They drove by me laughing.. I gave them all the middle finger salute.. figured yelling at them woulda been pointless.. Wish I had a rock handy to toss at their windshelt now... LOL

Angelo Lorenzo  wrote:

you should get a good pair of earplugs if you shoot shows alot. Musician earplugs just cut intensity, not the quality of sound. They're $120-200 but worth it.

Cool I'll look into them.. thanks for the tip.. I've seen some photographer at shows with like the hearing protectors that you'd see people in airport landing strips wear...  Probably a good idea.. but he looks funny as he's got such a small scrawny head.. LOL

Nate Boguszewski wrote:
the iPod is only causing the death of social interaction in public areas.

...and on a crowded subway at 8 am it's an absolute GODSEND

wait, wait, what's that?  I'm sorry, I can't hear you.

Phil Kimpton wrote:
No it's not flat.. your vision is failing you..

Hey it isnt my fault I dont have extended warranty on this body.....lol

R. Olson (RO) wrote:

Hey it isnt my fault I dont have extended warranty on this body.....lol

Neither do I.. and I'm in horrible shape, bad ankle, bad knee occassional kinks here and there.. I need an overhaul.. .. ... I'm thinking when I finally get good money from the lottery or something.. I'll go the route or cybernetics then I'll have both the regular warranty (with maximum plan) then the extended warranty....

Phil Kimpton wrote:

Neither do I.. and I'm in horrible shape, bad ankle, bad knee occassional kinks here and there.. I need an overhaul.. .. ... I'm thinking when I finally get good money from the lottery or something.. I'll go the route or cybernetics then I'll have both the regular warranty (with maximum plan) then the extended warranty....

Ah cybernetics. The sixty dollar man..... lol