4 Mar, 2008
Apple to launch iPod with automatic volume control that can protect your hearing
Listening to music non-stop has never been easier since the iPod came along.
But future versions of Apple's MP3 player are to be adapted to prevent users from playing tracks at full blast through their earphones for too long.
Amid growing fears that listeners could cause irreversible damage to their hearing - the highest setting is as loud as a chainsaw - Apple is developing an automatic volume control.
A new patent reveals that the next iPods and iPhones could automatically calculate how long a person has been listening and at what volume, before gradually reducing the sound level.
The device will also calculate the amount of "quiet time" between when the iPod is turned off and when it is restarted, allowing the volume to be increased again to a safe level.
The patent states: "Since the damaging effect on users' hearing is both gradual and cumulative, even those users who are concerned about hearing loss may not behave in a manner that would limit or minimise such damaging effects."
Listening to volumes below 70 decibels is considered safe. But iPods can currently reach volumes of over 100 decibels - the equivalent to standing 10ft from a pneumatic drill - and enough to cause permanent damage after just 15 minutes.
Emma Harrison, head of campaigns at RNID, said: "If the next generation iPods do what the patent claims, it could help to protect the hearing of millions of its customers."
photo courtesy images.google.com & story dailymail.co.uk, 12/25/07
Can you hear me?
Isaiah 40:18-28 (NLT)
18 To whom can you compare God?
What image can you find to resemble him?
19 Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold,
overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains?
20 Or if people are too poor for that,
they might at least choose wood that won’t decay
and a skilled craftsman
to carve an image that won’t fall down!
21 Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand?
Are you deaf to the words of God—
the words he gave before the world began?
Are you so ignorant?
22 God sits above the circle of the earth.
The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!
He spreads out the heavens like a curtain
and makes his tent from them.
23 He judges the great people of the world
and brings them all to nothing.
24 They hardly get started, barely taking root,
when he blows on them and they wither.
The wind carries them off like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me?
Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.
26 Look up into the heavens.
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
not a single one is missing.
27 O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
28 Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
In today's God's Story scripture, what do the words of Isaiah teach us about hearing from God?
The prophet Isaiah spent the first 39 chapters of this book calling on Judah, Israel, and the surrounding nations to repent of their sins. You might say that in today's passage, he is telling the people that if they turn down the "volume" of their worldly ways, they wouldn't be deaf spiritually. They should listen to the words of God.
Tyndale's LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE notes add these thoughts:
40:12-31 Isaiah describes God's power to create, his provision to sustain, and his presence to help. God is almighty and all-powerful; but even so, he cares for each of us personally. No person or thing can be compared to God (40:25). We describe God as best we can with our limited knowledge and language, but we only limit our understanding of him and his power when we compare him to what we experience on earth. What is our concept of God, especially as revealed in his Son, Jesus Christ? Don't limit his work in your life by underestimating him.
Turn down the volume on your iPod and anything else in this world that has your ear. Be still. You will hear from the great iAm.
- Praise God that He is always ready to listen to you. Let His Spirit clear your head and heart. Tell God that you want to hear from Him.....now just listen....
- Read today's passage aloud every day this week. As you think about these truths about God, you will hear from Him again and again...
- Your loving Heavenly Father wants to hear your needs and requests, but whenever you pray, try to save time to just be still and listen.
- Whenever you use your iPod or earphones this week, let it remind you to think about taking the time to hear from God rather than becoming spiritually deaf.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story scripture and our story to others?
This one is easy to think of, but you should pray for Jesus to give you the courage you need to follow through on the idea. The next time you're with friends and you have those buds in your ears...take a break and compare volume levels...get their opinion on possible hearing damage...share what you learned in today's story about volume controls...listen to their response...ask them if they have ever "heard" from God...talk about your desire to be still and quiet every once in awhile so that you can hear from God...listen for their response...be ready to tell more of your story and God's story.
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