EU warns iPods can damage hearing

Listening to personal music players at a high volume over a sustained period can lead to permanent hearing damage, according to an opinion of the EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks.

According to a WHO news report research shows 5–10% of those who listen to a personal music player for more than an hour a day each week at high volume for at least five years, run the risk of risk permanent hearing loss.

EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said that “we need to raise consumer awareness and put this information in the public domain. We need also to look again at the controls in place, in the light of this scientific advice, to make sure they are fully effective and keep pace with new technology.”

Later this year the Commission will hold a conference in Brussels to evaluate the Scientific Committee’s findings, and to discuss the way forward. The seminar will focus on steps that can be taken to minimise hearing damage and examine whether there exists a need for regulatory measures.

Link

http://ec.europa.eu/health/opinions/en/hearing-loss-personal-music-player-mp3