Initially, i used to see this phenomenon every day on my way to work.Its enthusiasts were mainly college students, presumably, on their way to class.Lately, this meme has crossed over to the working-class, dressed in neatly-pressed suits, well-fitted ties and ladies in skirt-suits and stockings.Thanks to the proliferation of MP3 players and FM Radio-enabled mobile phones this spectacle has extended to the office!
Today, as i await my daily ride to work in a ramshackle public transport vehicle, i can see a handful of them already 'plugged in' at the matatu terminus. With the chronic traffic jams that have become the norm of travel in Nairobi, no one can blame these earthlings for their peculiar behavior.In an increasingly solitary society, attempting to strike up a conversation -in an attempt to make the long, arduous rides to (or from) work more bearable- may be construed by some as a come on or even as an intrusion into 'me space'. So, we turn ourselves 'off' to the world around us and plug in those headphones or earphones. But, have we ever stopped one moment to consider the effects of this gadget on our health, relationships with others e.t.c. Do the benefits outweigh the risks?
Firstly, ear buds attach directly to the ears, decreasing the distance between the ear drum and the actual music.People are causing damage to their ears by listening to music at the same volume as if they were listening to headphones or from a stereo speaker.The closer the ear bud is to your inner ear, the more power you get, so the volume of music heard with headphones is much different from the volume of music heard using ear buds.
Furthermore, much research has shown a recent growing trend of noise-induced hearing loss, especially among young teens, due to exposure to loud volumes for long periods of time. They have lost the ability to hear higher frequencies, which can cause difficulty in following conversations when there is ambient noise.I am definitely a victim of noise-induced hearing loss much of which must have happened in high school during my daily commute to and from home.Majority of the matatus that plied the #23 route were known as 'mobile discotheques' for their obnoxiously loud music.We have God to thank that this no longer goes on for we would be wearing hearing aids by now
Secondly, besides the issue of loud music and the inherent risks it poses to the human ear, another issue of concern is the safety of the person wearing the headphones. One can walk around oblivious to the goings-on around them and this is dangerous. It is important for one to be appraised of their surroundings because only then can they know how to react, and react with speed, to a situation that arises and demands their urgent attention.
On the flip side, there are a handful of benefits brought about by digital music players such the as ability to listen to some inspirational music while jogging early in the morning, listen to a daily devotional or even help one prepare for an exam!
In the end, its not a debate about the technology but rather its use by those who adopt it. As long as the technology is used in a way that is mindful and respectful of other human beings (and self), there is a lot to reap from it.
No comments:
Post a Comment