Shhhhhh! I’m Listening to My iPod
Me? I am half deaf. My dad was always irritated by my constant “Huh? What?” growing up, thinking it was more teenage angst rather than an inability to hear. Since then, I have worked in the incredibly loud industries of radio and nightclubs, yet my hearing, amazingly, doesn’t seem to be any worse for the wear. But, I must say, as anyone that has traveled on a train can attest to, people have been listening to their iPods Really Really loud! While I find it amusing that I can hear the teenage boy next to me listening to the Supremes and the guy in a suit across from me blaring old school gangsta rap, I wonder how they keep their ears from ringing the rest of the day once they are forced to surrender their ears to school and work.
As you most likely know, there has been much controversy over varying degrees of hearing loss from listening to iPods at unreasonably high volumes. At high volumes, the ear buds that accompany iPods are more damaging due to their close proximity to the inner ear drum. Well, Apple, despite the high volume, is hearing the complaints loud and clear.
Sound check
Just last week, Apple introduced a free software update for the iPod nano and 5th generation iPods to allow users to set their own maximum volume limit on their iPod. Just think, the next time you are too drunk to think on your own, your sober self will have already protected your fragile little ears. Better yet, and more in keeping with Apple’s thinking, parents can set password protected limits for their child or teenager who is still too young to realize the permanent damage they might do.
Keeping lawsuits at bay
In the suit that caused much hubbubb and noise, Seattle law firm Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro initially proposed the nationwide class-action suit, potentially seeking other consumers to jump on board in the future. This McDonald’s-esque “Oh you mean hot coffee may be hot” type suit is just the type of thing that makes me wonder how people cross the street without getting squished like Frogger everyday. Regardless of my own angst at modern society, Apple has answered the call well, providing an alternative for the otherwise volume addicted. And heck, protecting children is always good PR.
Visit www.apple.com/ipod/download to get the download now or check out www.apple.com/sound for more information on the science of sound and keeping your ears safe and fully functioning.
For those of us, like myself, who have an older generation of iPods, we must continue to show restraint. So, no matter how much you are lost on a trip down memory lane listening to Def Leopard or Stone Temple Pilot’s version of “Pour Some Sugar on Me”, focus on the air guitar maneuvers and back away from the volume controls nice and easy. Good.
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Comments
I’m not quite half deaf but I do have hearing problems, so that only adds to me turning my iPod volume up. I do go over the top sometimes though with the volume and my ears ring for an hour or so after I’ve finished listening. I’ve learned to control it now though, and there’s the thing.
I’m sensible enough to be able to “control” it. In all honesty, if a grown man can’t control his iPod volume and wants to sue Apple, then he needs to be sent back to school to learn the fundamentals of’control’.
Nice article.
Song spotting on strangers is a wonderful sport. Just yesterday I found proof that Jefferson Starship is listened to by teenagers. Too bad they won’t listen for too long if I can make it out from seven feet away on the subway.
...but one can see that these issues get more press these days, especially as many people discover they want better phones for their iPods and are introduced to IEMs and closed phones by the community.
nicely written article easy to relate to and understand especially for who is new to all this tec hnology
Maybe Julie could be designated as such on Apple Matters
How can people be so retarded to listen to music at SUCH high volumes? Apart from it damaging their hearing permanently, and Apart from the fact everyone sees who exactly is the retard sitting on the train who is so stupid they’re going to lose their hearing, and Apart from the fact they should be embarrassed because they’re pissing everybody off more than if they were standing naked and putting their crotch in people’s faces; we can all hear the absolutely ridiculous music they listen to, loud and clear.
I mean seriously, have some shame.