MP3 PLAYERS & HEARING

MP3 PLAYERS & HEARING

This review indicates that, although there is little direct evidence that personal music players cause hearing loss, there is cause for concern. The use of MP3 players has risen dramatically in recent years, and it seems reasonable to assume that playing music at high volume through earphones placed directly in the ear canal may damage hearing. As the author rightly concludes, further studies are needed to clarify the risk to hearing from listening to MP3 players, with the aim of developing evidence-based guidelines for safe usage and volume limits.
This news report is based on an editorial in the British Medical Journal. The article reflects the opinions of the author following his assessment of the current levels of preventable hearing loss and related evidence. The news articles are based on an editorial published in the British Medical Journal. This opinion piece was written by Professor Peter Rabinowitz from Yale University School of Medicine. The article was commissioned and was not externally peer-reviewed.

This review indicates that there is little direct evidence that personal music players cause hearing loss. However, their use has risen dramatically in recent years, and it seems a reasonable assumption that playing music at high volume through earphones placed directly in the ear canal could damage both short- and long-term hearing. As the author rightly concludes, further longer-term studies are required to clarify the role of personal music players in hearing loss, with the aim of developing evidence-based guidelines for safe usage and volume limits.

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Written by Dr Martin Harris, Doctor and Mohel for Jewish Circumcision Clinic in London Bris Mila Brit Milah.
www.circumcisionlondon.co.uk

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Contact Dr Martin Harris