[Alu]

So I went to a generalist doctor today because I felt some pressure in both my ears, and sometimes I have a ringing coming from the right one, he told me it had something to do with a cold after checking my ears, and that there was nothing wrong with them...well anyways...

I told him that I listened to headphones frequently on a very low level of volume, after which he asked if I'd listen to an mp3 player. I, of course, told him that I listened at home. He then said something that I found to be quite amazing: "Try to avoid using headphones at home, much rather use speakers. They're not good for your ears and can damage your brain over a long period of usage." I replied jokingly with something along the lines of: "And this after I spent horrendous amounts of money!" He didn't laugh...he's known for not laughing at all, as is his wife, who is also a doctor. But that's not the point anyways.

The point is that a doctor just suggested me NOT to use headphones as they're more damaging than speakers according to him. Even though the driver is up close to your ear shouldn't it only be the volume that would matter in this case, speaker and headphone alike?

EDIT: His headphone comment was a general one and not directed at my specific condition.

 

[CookieFactory]

Pfft, what do doctors know anyway? Personally I'd rather listen to and believe anonymous, online people.

 

[digitalmind]

I'd love to hear a scientific explanation for his statement.

 

[mulveling]

Different doctors will have different opinions on the matter. It's not been proven that headphones are inherently more damaging than speakers, and this likely varies from person to person. There's still too much that's not understood about the human hearing system, but good luck getting the typical egotistical doctor to admit that

You're more likely to get the knee-jerk "headphones are the problem" statement because of all the instances where kid are cranking their ipods to 100% near 24-7. The doctors get tired of dealing with it, and as soon as you mention "headphones" he associates you with the ipod kiddies.

The ipod kiddies can't crank speakers like headphones because they usually live with their parents

 

[iancraig10]

You know, in the early 60's, they said that TV was bad for your eyes and I can still see. I can't see how damage is done as long as you listen at low volume. I also can't see what mp3 has to do with it.

Ian

 

[Alu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulveling What you SHOULD do is take a break and see if your ears get better. If so, start (slowly) using headphones again - if the problem reappears, well then you might have a problem with headphones.

Ah, well he told me to use some antibiotics as I seem to have slime between my ears and my nose and whatnot...and that my problem wasn't linked to the ear itself really. I think I'll go to a specialist nevertheless, just to make sure.

 

[YamiTenshi]

I would have pressed him for more info. (What reasons does he have for saying that speakers are better? What if the headphones are set at lower volumes? Headphones vs. earbuds vs. IEM?) Better than to come to a headphone forum afterwards and ask for advice.

 

[MusicJunkie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alu "...and can damage your brain over a long period of usage."

I've never heard of this before. Does anyone have any info regarding this?

MJ

 

[Wodgy]

Headphones can't damage your brain (unless he's talking about the effects of EM radiation which are still far from proven, and you do get greater exposure from typical cell phone use).

However, your doctor's advice isn't that bad. The problem with headphones is most people are terrible judges of how loud they're listening. If you haven't calibrated your listening levels or attempted to determine quantitatively how loud you're listening, it's impossible to say if you're listening at safe levels. He is likely erring on the safe side by advising you to do some of your listening on speakers. Remember, a typical physician's consult these days is 15 minutes or less, you can't expect him to go into detail about calibrating your listening levels with a 1 or 2 kHz signal or discussing whether he feels OSHA listening guidelines are adequate. He's just giving quick, fairly safe advice.

You can damage your hearing with loudspeakers too, but it's a lot harder. You have a better reference, loudspeakers generate more audible distortion as they get louder, and neighbors/spouses complain.

Btw, to see just how easy it is to get inadvertent hearing damage, do a search and find the thread where people were polled on whether they had Tinnitus. I was really surprised by just how many Head-Fiers had mild or moderate Tinnitus.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Dr.House has been seen many times using headphones (iBuds specifically), what more proof do you need that they aren't dangerous?

 

[Oistrakh]

doctors are generally very committed and caring people, hard working, and smart (Its hard and competitive to get into medical school). I would trust their opinions over a used car salesman.

 

[YamiTenshi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock&Roll Ninja Dr.House has been seen many times using headphones (iBuds specifically), what more proof do you need that they aren't dangerous?

Actually in an earlier episode he used a Bose Triport!

 

[Alu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wodgy The problem with headphones is most people are terrible judges of how loud they're listening. If you haven't calibrated your listening levels or attempted to determine quantitatively how loud you're listening, it's impossible to say if you're listening at safe levels.

You certainly do have a point. I'm thinking about buying an SPL meter lately, just to see how I'm doing volume-wise (I read on how people measure their listeninglevels with an additional piece of cardboard).

 

[smeerkaas]

The problem with headphones is that too many people play them too loud.

Which leads to the general statement that headphones are bad

 

[iancraig10]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wodgy Btw, to see just how easy it is to get inadvertent hearing damage, do a search and find the thread where people were polled on whether they had Tinnitus. I was really surprised by just how many Head-Fiers had mild or moderate Tinnitus.

Many people have tinnitus and have never realised until they are told about it and asked to listen.

After reading that thread, I asked kids to listen late at night to their ears - any noises? Most were hearing noises and had never been aware. They were 14 years old. (200 kids) I often visit schools to talk about music.

Ear noises are common, but being aware of it is not as common. As headphone listeners, we are more acutely aware of it I suppose.

Ian