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Safety
For information about hearing aids and digital wireless phones
Wireless Phones and Hearing Aid Accessibility
http://www.accesswireless.org/hearingaid/
FCC Hearing Aid Compatibility and Volume Control
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/hac_wireless.html
Caution:
Avoid potential hearing loss.
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds (including music) is the most common
cause of preventable hearing loss. Some scientific research suggests that
using portable audio devices, such as portable music players and cellular
telephones, at high volume settings for long durations may lead to
permanent noise-induced hearing loss. This includes the use of
headphones (including headsets, earbuds and Bluetooth® or other wireless
devices). Exposure to very loud sound has also been associated in some
studies with tinnitus (a ringing in the ear), hypersensitivity to sound and
distorted hearing. Individual susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss and
other potential hearing problems varies.
The amount of sound produced by a portable audio device varies depending
on the nature of the sound, the device, the device settings and the
headphones. You should follow some commonsense recommendations
when using any portable audio device:
• Set the volume in a quiet environment and select the lowest volume at
which you can hear adequately.
• When using headphones, turn the volume down if you cannot hear the
people speaking near you or if the person sitting next to you can hear
what you are listening to.
• Do not turn the volume up to block out noisy surroundings. If you choose
to listen to your portable device in a noisy environment, use noise-
cancelling headphones to block out background environmental noise.