http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/ Engadget Comments for Switched On: Listen Up, 'Buds http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/
Good god, maybe they'll come with built-in DRM protection so that they'll only play the music when inserted in the ear of the person who purchased the music. If people want to go deaf, let 'em. Thins 'em out.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/
As far as protection from excessive volume Sony used to sell all their mini/discmans in the 90's with a circuit (similar to MegaBass) that would automatically damp down on the volume during dramatic increases in loudness. You could set it to 'off' or one or two levels of responsivness. I think they used to call it AVL (auto volume limiter) or something.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/Dec 19th 2005 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/
The headphones that block out noise are better because you don't have to turn it up as loud to combat outside noise. So at one level of "perceptible volume", the noise-blocking headphones aren't producing as many decibels.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/
We must understand that the only thing that is important with ear damage is the dB (decibel) level and distance from the eardrum. The background noise does NOT matter.

If there is a ton of noise (say a 90 dB train going by at 100 mph), one must turn up the volume on their Portable Music Player to compensate (maybe to 120 or 140 dB, let's say). It doesn't matter that the train is making noise at the 90 dB level, the only thing that matters with respect to damaging your hearing is the earbud volume, which could be pushed above 140 dB to compensate for the loud environment. This level is clearly unsafe.

Really, the high tech earphones that attempt to eliminate background noise aren't too much safer. The better alternative is to listen to headphones sparingly, and at most 1 hour intervals. Try taking 5 minute Ear Breaks every hour to let your ears adjust back to normal.

Even better, don't listen to any headphones.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/
I feel really old having used the phrase 'young people.']]>Dec 19th 2005 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/
One day you don't uncomfortable things in and around your ears to listen to music, you can directly pass the sound to your brain. In fact, some deaf people are already using implants for this.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/Dec 19th 2005 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/
There is of course the third type that employs fancy digital trickery to wipe out repitive background noise but not sudden noise great for drowning out the roar of new york traffic but not the sudden blast of car horn of the taxi driver to warn you to get out of his way. Benifit low volume playback and you can respond to non repitive background noise]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/28/switched-on-listen-up-buds/
If you haven't tried them out I highly recommend ordering a pair from Amazon or your friendly neighborhood store with a good return policy. Once you try them out you will never want to go back to the old way again!]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:06AM