Tag Archives: music

HOW OUR GADGETS DULL OUR PERCEPTION OF OUR SURROUNDINGS (GUEST POST)

The move from vinyl to personal music players, whether walkmans to the iPods that we have now, stirs some musical debate as to what is the proper way to listen to music; which gives us the most benefit as a consumer and which allows us to pick up the richest sound which the artist meant to deliver when producing the record. However, we sometimes forget that in essence we are blasting loud noises directly into our ear drums when listening through ear buds or headsets. For those of us who work in jobs which require headsets, like in retail, security, telemarketing (just to name a few industries or occupations) that is a lot of time with stuff in our ears, which surely can’t be healthy. 

We are certainly more “plugged in” than we once were, say fifteen years ago; a fact which has its own social discussion points, but also health and safety problems. With music players getting smaller and becoming integrated with other devices like our phones, we are more likely to have things in our ears whenever and in more situations, like travelling. Bluetooth and speaking to people through headsets also creates a mental distraction and some find it difficult to multi-task and pay attention where they should. This can be dangerous when outside, if we are not fully aware of our surroundings and in our own worlds, listening to music. For instance, if someone shouts to us to warn us of something we are not aware of, like something falling down, a cyclist or a car speeding around a corner, we wouldn’t realise it. Many safety initiatives now target kids listening to music at crossings because of the amount of accidents that occur in these circumstances. 

Below are a few tips to take on board to ensure your gadgets don’t distract you or get into too much trouble: 

1) Ensure your headphones work properly, and you’re not having to turn them up louder than you should. According to experts, just ten minutes a day of having an iPod up to the full volume can damage hearing. It may very well be worth buying the best set of buds or headphones, and spending that much more, because the cheaper ones tend to require turning the volume up to make up for the poor quality. 

2)Take a break and read more. Many people take headphones with them to keep their minds busy on trips. If you pick something else to distract you, like a magazine or a book, or just the view around you, you’ll save your hearing and find that you’re more social with others. If I’m in a new place I make an effort not to listen to personal music, so I can take in the whole atmosphere and make it a unique experience. 

3) Use speakers when you can. If you’re in the comfort of your home, save your headphones for when you’re in public, or if you’re work allows it, play music at a low level (this will require consulting with your management). 

4) If your headphones do break on one side, fix them yourself or buy new ones; don’t struggle alone with only one side working and turning it up on that side to make up for it. 

5) If you work with headset or earpiece, try to avoid using headphones that day outside of work. Ensure your employer has fully-working equipment. Many industries have very noisy atmospheres, so protecting your hearing with the right equipment is of the utmost importance.

There are ways to clean your ears if you feel like there is a wax build-up that might be causing you to turn up your music louder than you ought to. These consist of home remedies or medical procedures. One way is to pour warm olive oil into the ear canal and keep it in there for two minutes; on gently rubbing the area around the ear (parallel with temple) and then tilting the oil out, any wax should fall out as well.Numerous cinnamon health benefits have been lauded before by many, and this problem is no different; a combination of honey and cinnamon powder (but not cinnamon supplements in capsule form) should be consumed, with half a cup at night, and another half-cup in the morning. A more drastic treatment, though it is by no means considered highly risky, is to have your ears syringed to remove wax that way, though of course this should be carried out by a doctor, and should not be tried at home with a similar tool. Similarly cotton swabs for the ears should not be pushed too far in. 

Paul Ellett has suffered with hearing issues through listening to music for extensive periods of time, and in promoting club nights at university. He has used several of the tips listed above with various levels of success.

YOU CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC!

Our beloved “Music City”, Nashville, has become a devastated area, following heavy thunderstorms and flash flooding, which caused the Cumberland River to rise almost 12’ above flood level last weekend.  At least 30 deaths in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi have been blamed on the recent storms.  The Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, Opryland Hotel, and Opry Mills have been inundated with water.  The field of the Tennessee Titans was flooded, as well.  Ironically, this is “National Music Week,” stressing the role music plays in our lives.  Several country music stars lost valuable equipment in storage, as well as damage to their homes.  They, along with entertainers across America, have been performing to raise money to help residents who have lost everything.
Here are some helpful tips for those who are trying to retrieve whatever they can from their flooded property:

  • Extreme caution should be used because of possible chemical and electric hazards.
  • Also wear rubber or plastic gloves, boots, and other protective clothing to guard from contact with floodwater.
  • Be sure tetanus shot is current (within 10 years).
  • Hazardous waste and chemical containers may be moved or buried by floodwaters far from their regular storage places, which are risky for those who come in contact with them.  The fire department or police should handle these circumstances.
  • Maintain good hygiene during cleanup operations, wash hands with soap and running water as often as possible during the day.
  • Do not allow children to play in floodwaters, or with toys that have been in floodwaters.
  • Wear eyewear and head protection.  Sunscreen needs to be worn, as well.
  • Take precaution from insect and mosquito bites.
  • Get medical attention for all animal bites immediately.

It will take time to rebuild the attractions that draw tourists to Nashville and the surrounding area, but with the determination their citizens have shown, it will happen.  We can’t stop the music; it will always be what keeps us all going!

Sources:  OSHA Natural Disaster Recovery: Flood Cleanup
EPA-Homeland Security