Say What? Convertibles Harm Hearing

Are earbuds to blame?

(NEWSER) - Oh no, mom was right: It looks like those always-blaring headphones actually are hurting our ears. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that one in five American teens now suffer some form of hearing loss, a 31% rise since researchers studied the phenomenon in the mid-1990s, notes NPR . Though the exact causes are unclear, a leading audiologist says earbuds and volume are probably to blame. More»

Subjects identify sounds better when paired with touch

(NEWSER) - What you feel can influence what you hear, a new study suggests. People were better able to identify aspirated sounds—those requiring a puff of air, like “pa” or “ta”—when the sound was paired with a puff of air on the back of the hand or neck. If that puff of air accompanied non-aspirated sounds likes "ba" or "da," accuracy dropped. The study, published in Nature , adds to the growing body of evidence that multiple senses contribute to seemingly one-sense tasks. More»

A generation of adults will suffer hearing loss well ahead of its time

(NEWSER) - The popularity of iPods and similar devices may leave a generation of adults with impaired hearing decades ahead of their time, the Boston Globe reports. Sensory cells in the ear can only take so much bombardment, and frequent, pulsing music causes irreparable damage. New research also shows that boys often listen louder and that peer pressure influences volume. More»

(NEWSER) - Ikea says it’s unveiling a car March 31, but the day after that is—you got it—April 1, Jalopnik reports. The Leko, which is touted by its “designer” on a French website set up by the Swedish home-furnishing giant, will be modular, able to operate as a coupe or a convertible, and has the support of World Wildlife Fund France. Apparently, it’s very environmentally friendly, but no word yet on whether you assemble it at home. More»

Noise legislation means musicians are playing musical chairs, the real game

(NEWSER) - A new law in Europe to protect employees from ear-damaging noises is stifling a surprise industry—orchestras. Conductors are taking it down a notch to comply, in one case canceling a world premiere because it exceeded the allowable decibels in rehearsal, the New York Times reports. At the Royal Opera House, musicians have to wear earplugs—akin to telling a "race-car driver they have to wear a blindfold," said one oboist. More»