Potential health risks of exposure to noise from personal music ...

Health risks from exposure to noise from personal music playerscaution, this allowable time can be calculated by using the equal energy rule and the 3dB exchange rate as described in the background. Assuming that an average PMP userlistens for 7 hours per week (1 hour/day), this would exceed the Noise at WorkRegulations if the sound level for the PMP exceeded 89 dB(A). However, since thesedevices have been introduced in the market only very recently, there is inevitablyinsufficient population data on hearing impairment. In assessing the likelihood of hearingloss, consideration of other environmental sources of high level sound emissions need tobe taken into account.As for non-auditory effects of sound exposure from PMPs, no level of noise emissionsafeguarding the health could be established so far.Answer 2b, priority issues for further research:In the face of an increasing population at risk of hearing loss and tinnitus due to i)increasing PMPs use and acceptance in the EU and ii) the possibility to use PMPs at highsound levels, there is a lack of data concerning:a) the current PMP use pattern, duration, output level, choice of loud levels and exposureof users to other high level sound sources.b) the contribution of loud sounds to hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as cognitive andattention deficits in children and young people.c) long-term studies using more sensitive hearing impairment measures to assess theimpact of PMPs on hearing and to identify the potential sub-groups more ‘at risk’ (e.g.children, genetic sub-groups and environmental sub-groups such as those who commuteto work or school in noisy surroundings).d) the biological basis of individual susceptibility to noise and the benefits frompharmacological treatment.e) whether excessive voluntary PMP-listening leads to lasting and irreversible cognitiveand attention deficits after the cessation of the noise.62