RNID study tests Londoners' music volumes
The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) has conducted a study on London streets, which concludes that eight out of every ten people listen to their music at volumes that are far too high.
Eighty percent of the music players that the RNID tested on London's streets were above 80dBA volume, which is sufficient to damage your hearing permanently. According to the organization, what's worse is that the manufacturers don't even tell you how loud the units go, or how potentially damaging they can get up to. Some units go as high as 105dBA at max volue - that's just 5dBA short of a jet engine at takeoff - and that's blasted straight into your ear canal.
Though RNID doesn't directly blame manufacturers for not idiot-proofing their volume setups, the organization does want companies to start helping consumers be more aware of long-term hearing loss. Currently, MP3 players are not required to have any warning label applied to them regarding volume levels.
Dr. John Low, Chief Executive of the RNID, says:
"It's clear that young people are not only shockingly unaware of any risk to their hearing, but also that manufacturers aren't yet doing enough to warn people. We want people to be aware of the risks and take control to protect their hearing and are willing to help manufacturers come up with an effective solution to this growing problem."
