iPod Health Risks

iPods are a great way to stay entertained while you work and travel. With iPod touches, you can also play many different games. While the iPod presents no major health risks, there are several potential risks to be aware of. Paying attention and being proactive will help keep you more healthy. Set a good example by sharing good iPod practices with your friends and family.

Volume

• The most common health risk for any iPod is hearing damage. Teens in particular often turn up the volume high enough to damage their hearing, and in-ear headphones can cause slightly more damage. A general rule for volume is that you should still be able to hear people talking in a normal voice. It's also the length of time as much as the volume itself; the ear can withstand brief loud noises but not sustained ones.

Thumb Joints

• According to a report by the British Chiropractic Association, repeatedly using the scroll wheel on iPods can damage your thumb joint through repetitive stress injury. This is less of a risk on an iPod touch, but it's still good to vary your finger use. Hold the iPod in one hand, then use a finger from the opposite hand to scroll.

Paying Attention

• Listening to an iPod, especially at high volume, can keep you from paying attention to the world around you. For pedestrians, it's especially important that you look and listen at crosswalks. For drivers, looking down at the iPod controls and taking your hands off the wheel can lead to accidents.

Eye Strain

• Looking at the iPod screen for extended periods of time, especially from less than two feet away, can cause eyestrain. You can recognize eyestrain from bloodshot eyes or your eyes feeling tired. This is very unlikely to cause long-term damage, but it can lead to headaches and sore eyes. Avoid this risk by taking frequent breaks if you're playing an intense game, and try holding the iPod a little farther from your eyes.