I was introduced
to the IPOD by my daughters who felt that if I took the time
to understand it I would appreciate the new gadget.
They were never so right. I am hooked. However like many things
that appear to be good the IPOD can be your worst enemy. If
you have not notice a significant number of young people have
something in their ears all the time. They are listening to
music. It has been suggested by many ENT physicians that the
IPOD will be a major cause of hearing lost for many folk by
the time they get middle age. Good hearing should not be taken
for granted. Repeated loud noises can destroy the hearing mechanism
located in the inner ear. What people don’t realize is
that frequent and constant loud music will cause a permanent
hearing loss that can not be fixed with a hearing aid. Persons
who use the IPOD correctly will have no problem. The current
hearing aid makes sounds louder not clearer as one of my ENT
friends pointed out to me. The same potential for hearing loss
is present when loud music is experience at concerts. Recently
the IPOD has come under close scrutiny because of the potential
of people using it and being involved in an accident while crossing
the street. This is not a health disparity but it is in the
news. I am Dr. Thaddeus John Bell closing the gap in health
care. 2/10/07
