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The IPod and the Fury by Gregory Molt


Intriguingly enough the information contained in this essay wasn't surprising to me. I knew there were many things that could damage ones hearing, especially personal music devices. However one thing that did catch my attention was HOW much personal music devices, such as the one apple created, MAY cause hearing damage, and WHAT causes hearing damage. According to Molt, “hearing damage occurs when loud sound destroys tiny hair cells in the inner ear". Another interesting tidbit of information was that, " a fairly sophisticated sound level meter, Hull found typical listening levels approaching 120 decibels". That leaves me to wonder what level the subjects had their ipods set to? Is it true that many people simply "crank up " the volume all the way. Additionally if that were true do the IPods have a safety setting for their maximum volume, why is the decibel level so high? Also should some earphones be taken off the market for their ability to increase the magnitude of sound? Or are all of these decisions left up to the consumer?Personally I feel if is up to the consumer to make all of these decisions about what to buy and HOW to use it. Additionally I feel that it is up to the consumer to resist the temptations of having the shiniest loudest most expensive piece of audio equipment. If its possible for people to resist drugs, alcohol, smoking, etc, then it is very possible for people to resist doing something that will damage their hearing. However I feel the reason many people to not resist these temptations of audio overdose, is that unlike many harmful habits it is very gradual. It may start with ringing in the ears very once and a while, and the occasional “huh" or "what". Thus people aren't as likely to realize what has transpired until it is to late