As a response to the recent national attention on music-induced hearing loss and portable music systems, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), sent a formal letter (published on the Congressman's web site) to Dr. James Battey at NIDCD, on January 26, 2006, asking for answers to the following questions:
- Do portable music players contribute to premature hearing loss? If so, to what extent?
- Short of giving up their personal music devices, what can consumers do to protect their hearing?
- What research is currently available with regard to safe volume limits and exposure time for recreational listening?
- According to the Washington Post, Apple has declined to provide information on the maximum output level for its iPod devices. What information is readily available to consumers regarding the maximum output level for various portable music devices?
- According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), "Loud noise above 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss." How can consumers determine whether they are listening to music at levels that put them at risk for hearing loss?
- Do earbuds increase the risk of hearing loss more traditional earmuff style headphones?
- Are sound-minimizing headsets (either "noise-canceling" or "sound-isolating" headphones) better for your hearing than traditional headphones or earbuds?
Copies of the letters and related press releases and information can be found on Rep. Markey's web site:
