The Consumer Electronics Association is collaborating with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to educate consumers on the safe use of personal audio devices such as MP3 players and portable DVD players.
The effort focuses on development of ASHA’s Web site www.listentoyourbuds.org, a resource for children, parents and teachers about the possible long-term effects of improper usage, as part of ASHA’s campaign, “America: Tuned In Today … But Tuned Out Tomorrow?”
The site has games for kids to play while learning about safe listening.
CEA’s recommendations for consumers include setting their volume control at a low setting, and slowly increasing the sound until it can be heard comfortably and clearly without distortion.
Once a comfortable sound level is determined, set the dial and leave it there, CEA advises. Headphones or earphones that are noise-canceling or sound-isolating also can help, as consumers won’t have to raise the volume to compete with outside noise.
For more information, visit www.asha.org or www.ce.org.
