Foundation for the Deaf Welcomes Move by Apple
31st March 2006
National Foundation for the Deaf Welcomes
Move by Apple to Set iPod Volume Cap
The National
Foundation for the Deaf (NFD) – the charity representing
some 450,000 Deaf and hearing impaired New Zealanders - has
welcomed a move by Apple to introduce a software update that
will allow iPod users to set an upper volume limit on the
latest generations of the device.
As well as enabling iPod users to set maximum volume limits, it also gives parents the ability to set a maximum volume limit on their child’s iPod and lock it with a combination code.
Marianne
Schumacher, executive manager of the National Foundation for
the Deaf,
said she is pleased Apple has responded to
growing concerns about the risks of hearing damage caused by
personal stereo users turning up the volume to
dangerous
levels.
“This is a very positive step in the right direction and we would urge other manufacturers of personal music players to follow suit,” said Ms Schumacher.
"There is still a lot of work to be done to educate music lovers that there is a very real danger that long-term use of personal music players at high volumes can permanently damage people’s hearing.”
The earbuds commonly used by iPod listeners are placed directly in the ear increasing the sound signal into the ear. Coupled with the extended battery power these devices now offer it means people are exposed to louder noise levels for longer periods of time.
“We don’t want to discourage people from listening
to personal stereos and enjoying music we just want to urge
them to be sensible so that they can enjoy music well into
later life,” concluded Ms Schumacher.
Some guidelines
people can take for safer listening:
- Take regular breaks from your headphones to give your ears a rest.
- Turn down the volume a notch - even a small reduction in volume can make a big difference to the risk of damage to your hearing.
- Avoid using the volume to drown out background noise, for example the sound of traffic while on public transport
ENDS