Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › Members' Lounge (General Discussion) › [AWARENESS] Near-miss or accident while listening to headphone
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

[AWARENESS] Near-miss or accident while listening to headphone

post #1 of 14
6/12/08 at 11:04pm
Thread Starter 
Public concerns about safety of iPod listener. It's not uncommon to read in newspaper or witness that someone was hit by car as s/he didn't hear the car was coming when crossing the road.

I always listen to my iPod while commuting and had couple of near-misses from cyclist, taxis and trams. Also, I've been asked to re-do the safety induction at my workplace as I failed to evacuate during a mock-emergency-alarm (I didn't hear the alarm clearly as I was using IEM at that time)

Have you experienced near-miss or accident or receive fingers while listening to headphone?
And, what's your strategy to prevent that (esp for IEM user)?
Reply
post #2 of 14
6/12/08 at 11:08pm
A) Common sense to not listen too loud and be aware of my surroundings

B) I don't use IEMs
Reply
post #3 of 14
6/12/08 at 11:11pm
I don't listen to closed headphones outside, and usually don't wear anything. Also, I use my eyes.
Reply
post #4 of 14
6/12/08 at 11:11pm
This is why I don't listen to music when I'm walking around. I also only use open cans, so I can hear people shouting at me or smoke detectors. IEMs are only for plane rides.
Reply
post #5 of 14
6/12/08 at 11:14pm
I only listen to headphones when they are connected to immobile gear. In my younger days, I used headphones in my car, and always kept alert for cops, if nothing else.

Laz
Reply
post #6 of 14
6/12/08 at 11:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aaron313 View Post
and usually don't wear anything.
so you're the one that was terrorizing everyone in local elementary school.




I use iems, but I tend not to use it while walking - only for long bus/train rides.

If I do, I look both ways, bring a Pomeranian guide dog, and wear neon pink spandex to be better noticed

Reply
post #7 of 14
6/12/08 at 11:26pm
This is why I'm a non-advocate for running, walking, cycling, etc. in open public while utilizing IEM. I've voiced my opinion on these boards in the past. It's just too much of a liability to fully impede the use of your hearing while 3 ton vehicles whiz-by, or muggers on the prowl.

I used to live in Alaska and frolicking about in the city or woods without the use of your hearing could result in some "Good Eats" for a voracious bear.

My TF-10s only get play-time in the home or at the gym.
Reply
post #8 of 14
6/12/08 at 11:30pm
I am an avid cyclist. It's how I get around. Nothing bugs me more when riding on a trail or on the street than the moron walking or jogging, blissfully lost in his or her own world. They are a danger to themselves, and to others.

Don't be a moron when listening to your IEMs.
Reply
post #9 of 14
6/13/08 at 12:02am
iems are uncomfortable anyways. and when i wear buds in public, i just have 1 in the ear, so im able to hear everything
Reply
post #10 of 14
6/13/08 at 12:03am
1) Use your eyes (and all the more vigilantly since your sense of hearing of your surrounding is practically impaired).

For example, you don't want to be the unfortunate chap 'accidentally' in the way of a police/ambulance/fire brigade vehicle screaming through the road with sirens blasting...

2) I consider listening to music at work a rude gesture to colleagues, esp. with IEMs that practically isolate one away from everyone. At the very least, use earbuds or semi-open headphones that still allow you to stay in touch with what is happening around you.

For example, you don't want to 'accidentally' ignore your manager/boss waiting behind you...
Reply
post #11 of 14
6/13/08 at 1:32am
Here in the states, every business has to have flashing lights with they're fire alarms so deaf people know there's a fire. They're pretty hard to miss.

I use my UM1 during my commute. I walk over a mile as part of the commute. However, I listen at low enough levels that I hear things going on around me. I've never had a near miss in 4 years of using IEMs. I tend to be paranoid crossing a street even without headphones. I look both ways even on a one way street. It serves me well. I've seen cars coming the wrong way a few times outside work and I've never had a problem when traveling somewhere that they drive on the other side of the road.

Since I occasionally ride a bike on the local bike paths, I'm pretty aware there as well. I hug one edge of the path. The paths are busy and I've never had a near miss other than when I was on a bike and another biker coming the other way cuts a corner.

IMO on a bike path, people walking dogs and people walking next to each other talking are more of a problem than one person walking listening to headphones.
Reply
post #12 of 14
6/13/08 at 1:38am
I hate seeing people wearing ibuds while driving. This dad with kids plowed his Honda to a stop about 8 feet past the crosswalk at the intersection. Well, maybe his driving habits just blow?
Reply
post #13 of 14
6/13/08 at 1:42am
Good lord how loud do people listen? Even with my ER-4s stuffed in my ears walking around I can still hear passing cars and idiots with too many subwoofers.
Reply
post #14 of 14
1/16/12 at 7:19pm

Sorry to revive such and old thread, but I thought the head-fi community should once again be reminded about the importance of awareness whilst listening to headphones...

 

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8404263

 

Stay safe!

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Misc.-Category Forums › Members' Lounge (General Discussion) › [AWARENESS] Near-miss or accident while listening to headphone