Level 3 - Source on Personal Music Players & Hearing

• 1. Why do personal music players raise health concerns?
  • 1.1 When are we exposed to noise and sound?
  • 1.2 What are noise and sound?
• 2. How is sound measured?
  • 2.1 What are the units for measuring sound
  • 2.2 What are the methods for measuring sound
• 3. What are current sound protection limits?
• 4. In what ways can hearing be impaired?
  • 4.1 How is hearing loss defined and classified?
  • 4.2 How is speech comprehension affected by sound exposure and hearing loss?
  • 4.3 What is tinnitus?
  • 4.4 How is hearing affected by age?
• 5. How can sound exposure lead to hearing loss?
  • 5.1 How many people are affected by sound-induced hearing loss?
  • 5.2 What sound levels are we exposed to in our daily lives?
  • 5.3 What is the relationship between sound exposure, hearing loss and age?
  • 5.4 How do loud sounds affect the inner ear?
  • 5.5 What factors can change the way sound exposure affects us?
• 6. Hearing damage diagnosis, vulnerability & treatment
  • 6.1 How is hearing damage diagnosed?
  • 6.2 Are certain individuals particularly vulnerable to sound exposure?
  • 6.3 How can sound-induced hearing loss be treated?
• 7. What are the characteristics of personal music players
• 8. How are personal music players typically used?
  • 8.1 At what volume settings and for how long are they typically used?
  • 8.2 How many units have been sold on the EU market?
• 9. How can listening to music harm hearing?
  • 9.1 Is hearing loss increasing among young people?
  • 9.2 Can using personal music players raise the hearing threshold?
  • 9.3 Is tinnitus more frequent among users of personal music players?
  • 9.4 How can attending concerts and night clubs affect hearing?
• 10. In what other ways can sound exposure affect children and adolescents?
• 11. Conclusions on health risks of personal music players
  • 11.1 Are users of personal music players exceeding current sound exposure limits?
  • 11.2 What are the risks of prolonged exposure to loud sounds from personal music players?
  • 11.3 Under what condition can listening to personal music players be considered safe?
  • 11.4 What further research is needed?