Inside this Issue:

Social Media...Are You In Tune?
See how familiar you are with some of the evolving social media tools. Match the tool with its description.

Are You Hearing Phantom Ring Tones?
If you live and breathe by your cell phone, it may be time to take a break.

Huh? Are Personal Electronic Devices Causing Hearing Loss?
Choosing headphones over earbuds may save your hearing

Social Media...Are You In Tune?

See how familiar you are with some of the evolving social media tools. Match the tool with its description.

(Answers at bottom of page)

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Are You Hearing Phantom Ring Tones?

If you live and breathe by your cell phone, it may be time to take a break.

Have you ever thought your cell phone was ringing, actually heard its tinkle or trill, but then realized that there was no call coming in?

Many people are reporting this “phantom ringtone” phenomenon, according to “I hear ringing and there’s no one there. I wonder why,” by Brenda Goodman in The New York Times. Experts believe that people have become hypervigilant to the sound of their phone ringing and are living in states of constant alertness for the tones. That’s why hearing sounds that might sound like a phone ringing activates the brain and the person actually fills in the rest and hears the ring of the phone.

People seem to be experiencing phantom rings when they are watching television, showering, using a blow dryer, etc. Another reason people might be so vigilant when it comes to hearing these tones:  Ringtones are usually in the 1,000 to 6,000 hertz range.  Scientists say that our ears give these sounds particular weight and are extremely sensitive to their frequency. Why? Simple, the experts say they are in the same range as babies’ cries.

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Huh? Are Personal Electronic Devices Causing Hearing Loss?

According to an InformationWeek article by Gregg Keizer, earbud-style headphones can cause serious hearing loss. Keizer spoke to Northwestern University professor and audiologist Dean Garstecki, who said that earbuds could raise the signal by six to nine decibels—the difference between, say, the sound of a vacuum cleaner and a motorcycle.

Earbuds are the type of headphones that rest inside the ear and are often packaged with personal electronic devices, such as the Apple iPod.

Garstecki says that just one hour of high-volume listening with these devices can cause permanent damage.

What should music lovers who use these devices do to reduce their chances of hearing loss? Garstecki recommends limiting listening time to no more than one hour per day, switching to over-the-ear headphones, and turning the volume down (below “6” on iPods).

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