A suit has been filed against Apple Computer in a California court. The ubiquitous iPod music player of the organization has been called defective, and capable of damaging the hearing of users.
A suit has been filed against Apple Computer in a California court. The ubiquitous iPod music player of the organization has been called defective, and capable of damaging the hearing of users. The case has been filed by John Kiel Patterson of Louisiana.
Patterson's lawsuit contends that the iPods sold in the US are capable of pumping out sound of between 115 and 130 decibels, about the level of an air raid siren. Furthermore, the design of the bud-like headphones channels the sound deep into the ear canal increasing the danger of hearing loss.Audiologists have repeatedly warned that even moderate listening to digital music players at high levels can severely damage hearing and Patterson claims that the iPods are inherently defective in design and are not sufficiently adorned with adequate warnings.
Though the iPod's user's manual does include a warning that ‘permanent hearing loss may occur if earphones or headphones are used at high volume,’ the suit contends that Apple does not advise listeners as to what a safe volume level is, or include a meter to alert users with regard to the decibel level.
Edited (IANS)
