Look & Listen Before Crossing The Street

Thursday, February 8th  

 

Seeing people sport iPods around town is no longer a novelty.  In fact, it seems strange when people say they do not have or know how to work an iPod.  Even more strange would be that rare individual that does not own a cell phone.  How did we get by without those cell phones anyways?  Whether it is the Apple iPod Nano, the new shuffle that conveniently clips or the Apple iPod with video screen, people want them, have them and love them.  Pretty soon, New Yorkers may have to cool their love affair with their electronic devices while commuting to work and crossing the streets.  What?  Put my iPod and cell phone away for more than 2 minutes?  Detach from my electronic world?  Yes, put that iPod, video game and cell phone away while crossing the streets in New York or face a $100 fine.  That is the proposal that New York State Sen. Carl Kruger is taking to the legislature. 

 

Three people have died in one Brooklyn district even after bystanders tried to shout and warn the victims.  Being distracted is a major cause of accidents while driving and while walking.  Another issue is how loudly people are listening to these devices.  Some general recommendations from audiologist Brian Fligor of Boston's Children's Hospital to prevent hearing damage include the following:

1.  Remember that the amount of time you listed to headphones is less important than the volume.  You can damage your hearing after just 5 minutes of music at full volume. 

2.  The average young person can listen to music for more than four hours at 70% volume without damaging his or her hearing.

3.  Avoid listening to music in noisy environments because the tendency is to turn up the volume.  Instead use noise-blocking headphones in these environments.

4.  Individuals can safely listen to iPods for 90 minutes a day with the supplied earphones if the volume is at 80 percent of maximum levels without greatly increasing the risk of hearing loss.

 

Even if the ban is not passed, consider it an easy step to ensure your personal safety.  Maybe moms should be advising kids to look both ways, turn off your iPod, put down your video game AND LISTEN before crossing the street.  Accidents can happen in a flash.  Protect yourself and your ears!