February 2nd, 2006
Apple Sued Over iPod-Caused Hearing Loss
By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
In a move that should surprise no one, based on the number of studies over the past year linking MP3 players (particularly the iPod) with hearing loss (links later), a Louisiana man has filed a class action suit against Apple Computer for hearing loss attributed to the iPod.
The suit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, Calif., charges that the iPod music player can produce sounds of up to 115 decibels even though some studies suggest that listening to music at that level for 28 seconds a day can cause damage over time. The suit, filed on behalf of John Kiel Patterson and all other iPod buyers, seeks monetary damages to compensate for the hearing loss suffered by iPod users, as well as a share of Apple’s iPod profits. Source: News.com
Links to Prior iPod / MP3 Player Hearing Loss Stories:
Wall Street Journal (Subscription required)
CBS News
StarTribune.com
Playlist
Macworld UK
We Say: A few interesting points from the various stories. Part of the suit would require Apple to limit the output of iPods to 100 dB, which has already been done in France. Also, one of the key studies was a Harvard study in which noted that earbuds are more likely to cause hearing loss because a) the smaller headsets are, the higher their output levels at any given volume-control setting, b) earbuds allow more external sounds “in” than other headsets and thus encourage users to “crank up the volume” (info from StarTribune.com AP story linked above). Finally, the suit was brought by lawyers at Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro, one of two firms that filed the iPod nano scratching suit.
Doug Felteau says:
What? Did you say something?
February 2nd, 2006 at 1:01 pm
David Johnston says:
Oh give me a break! Suing a company that makes music players (or earbuds) for damaging your hearing? Everyone knows that if you listen to your music (or anything really) too loudly, you’re going to lose your hearing. These people are just grabbing for money.
February 2nd, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Michael Santo says:
Yep, I agree, David, but the France thing kinda gives them some ammo, as does the Harvard study. Of course, Apple IS the biggest target
February 2nd, 2006 at 1:38 pm
Mark says:
That’s pathetic. Just because you can listen loudly doesn’t mean you have to. That’s like claiming that Ford is responsible for your speeding because they make cars that can go faster than the posted speed limits.
February 2nd, 2006 at 2:38 pm
Alan says:
Hmm… I wonder if I spill some hot coffee on my IPod while it’s on my lap, will I be able to sue Apple too?
February 2nd, 2006 at 3:05 pm
Jim Park says:
I hope the judge has enough sense to throw this suite out of court. Is there no room left for common sense?!
February 3rd, 2006 at 12:38 am
Lipwah Louie says:
No you can’t sue Apple for the coffee part but the coffee vendor would be a good target for both the burns from the hot coffee and the damage to the IPod
February 3rd, 2006 at 6:07 am
Def Rednek says:
Louisiana…French for “trailer park”.
February 3rd, 2006 at 9:25 am
DX says:
Looks like I’m gonna start sueing websites for making me waste my time on all these senseless issues.
February 4th, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Friday Night says:
Well, I hope this case gets thrown out. So many people are looking for monetary compensation for damage they do to themselves.
February 4th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
Jay Tee says:
Some law firm knows that Apple has deep pockets. Oh, by the way, I found a human ear (sic) in my iPod. Should I sue? LOL.
February 13th, 2006 at 10:41 am
Steve says:
I am going to sue Reebok, because I walked too far and now my ankles hurt. I didn’t see a warning label about excess walking!
March 11th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
Freeware Download | Download Freeware says:
[…] Aug 25 Headphones “tattle” if you crank the volume By Add commentsTech-News There has been a lot of attention paid to hearing loss and MP3 players,especially ones that use earbud headsets. Although some vendors such as Apple have included updates to their software which allows parents to lock the volume level, most do not. […]
August 25th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
New Tech says:
[…] There has been a lot of attention paid to hearing loss and MP3 players, especially ones that use earbud headsets. Although some vendors such as Apple have included updates to their software which allows parents to lock the volume level, most do not. […]
August 25th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Freeware Download | Download Freeware says:
[…] Aug 27 Headphones “tattle” if you crank the volume By Add commentsTech-News There has been a lot of attention paid to hearing loss and MP3 players,especially ones that use earbud headsets. Although some vendors such as Apple have included updates to their software which allows parents to lock the volume level, most do not. […]
August 27th, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Headphones “tattle” if you crank the volume | Etixet Tag Cloud Archive 10.000 Web Site Feed says:
[…] There has been a lot of attention paid to hearing loss and MP3 players, especially ones that use earbud headsets. Although some vendors such as Apple have included updates to their software which allows parents to lock the volume level, most do not. […]
January 7th, 2008 at 1:32 pm