A new EU study has shown that 1 in 10 people who regularly use personal MP3 or CD Players could suffer permanent hearing loss because they are listening to music that is simply too loud. So, with Christmas around the corner and many more young people hoping for MP3 players and other music devices in their stockings, Oxford Hearing Centre is offering two ingenious solutions to help combat the threat of hearing loss.

Oxford Hearing Centre senior partner, Richard Moss, RHAD, FSHAA, MRSH, has been offering advice to the iPod generation for some time and hopes this latest research will open more ears to good advice.

"I have no desire to be a killjoy, I do understand the appeal of loud entertainment,” Richard explains, “but the number of younger people with hearing loss is dramatically increasing. And the culprit seems to be noise – particularly when delivered via loud headphones."

One reason why headphone volumes are set so dangerously high is because music players are used in environments where general background noise competes with the sound coming from the personal stereo – especially when used outdoors. The standard headphones worn with MP3 players simply rest in the bowl of the ear, giving a poor acoustic seal and poor reduction of background noise. This leads to the wearer needing to increase the volume.

Solution One – Audiology Technology for Christmas

To combat the issue of turning up to hear, Oxford Hearing Centre is now offering custom moulded ear pieces, into which the standard earphones attach.

Clients will need to visit Oxford Hearing Centre in order to have impressions made of the inside of their ears (a simple and painless process). These impressions are then made into the bespoke moulds – these are similar devices as fitted to Oxford Hearing Centre’s musician clients for on-stage monitoring.

These tailored earphones are extraordinary, because they enable a much better acoustic seal; the user notices two immediate benefits:

1. The volume is reduced because they hear less competitive background noise, and,

2. The sound quality is much better.

"If we can provide better earphone technology to help people save their hearing, then as an Audiologist, that is my job well done! says Richard. “Our job is as much about hearing preservation, as it is about fitting hearing aids.”

If you’re a concerned parent, a music lover, or wear earphones a lot, it could be a sound investment this Christmas for your ears to get a set of custom made ear moulds from the Oxford Hearing Centre.

Solution Two – Turn it Down for Christmas!

The other alternative, and cheaper solution, is of course, just to turn it down! Sounds easy but in practice it’s a different story.

"With personal stereos and iPods, turning down the right amount can be tough, since manufacturers don't mark their volume dials in decibels.” says Richard. “ Our own tests at the Oxford Hearing Centre have found that under headphone maximum volumes ranged from 91 decibels to 121 decibels. The latter can cause hearing damage in a matter of seconds."

"In general, remember the 60-60 rule – stereo headphones are safe for up to 60 minutes a day of listening with digital music players at 60 percent of their maximum volume. But be sensible. Turn up for your favourite track perhaps, but moderate the volume for general listening.”

So remember this Christmas, whether you’re giving or receiving any music device. Hearing is a precious gift and once it’s damaged, it’s damaged forever. It may not be cool to turn down the volume but, no matter how technologically advanced hearing aids become, it’s still cooler than making yourself deaf.

About the Oxford Hearing Centre

The Oxford Hearing Centre was formed in 1982 as a hearing aid and audiological centre of excellence. The practice is a founding member of AIHHP – The Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals. AIHHP is a professional body representing the leading independent hearing aid audiologists in the United Kingdom. Full members of the association have to meet rigorous clinical standards and are subject to peer evaluation before admission.

As well as helping people to hear, the Oxford Hearing Centre provides individual and organisational guidance on hearing conservation.

Richard Moss also acts as consultant to the music industry, advising many famous professional and amateur musicians on issues of hearing protection and healthcare.

The Oxford Hearing Centre’s diverse client list covers all walks of life, from royalty to rock stars.

Oxford Hearing Centre
157 Eynsham Road
Oxford OX2 9NE
Tel. 01865 861 861

www.oxfordhearingcentre.co.uk

Published: November 2008