Hearing Loss Persuasive Speech

Hearing loss in teenagers is up 30 percent from the 1980s and 1990s. While in-ear headphones were first introduced in the 1980s, they didn’t become widely popular until the early 2000s when the iPod came out. “Many experts believe it [increased percent of hearing loss] is due... to the increased use in headphones” (American Osteopathic Association). This is a plausible explanation seeing as music seems to be more available and used more often. Hearing loss due to exposure is a growing concern. To combat this growing concern, should a limit be set on how loud headphones are allowed to go? The recommended level of unprotected exposure for sound is 8 hours a day at 85, decibels, as recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Overexposure to loud noise can cause loss of hearing in everyone. Some music players can go up to 105 decibels at which the maximum amount of time a person should be …show more content…
Manufactures can limit the noise output to a point where it will not cause hearing damage but they do not. Hearing loss will continue to be a problem if regulations and limitations are not put into place. Hearing loss will end up costing individuals and insurance companies money that could be spared. However there is a point to where government control should end. Music and other things played through headphones are a way of expression along with they way they are played. It should remain up to the listener how loud they want their music. It is a widely known fact that listening through headphones at high levels can cause hearing damage and yet people chose to do so. It should remain their choice. This choice is one that has no major effect on others because headphones are a device that only really affects the listener. Government regulation of such devices as headphones would cost a great deal of money that could be used for things the government has a right to be involved