Apple iPods do Not Increase Risk of Hearing Loss

Boston (DbTechNo) - The year of 2009 ended on a good note for Apple after a federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled the company not responsible for the potential hearing loss in people who listen to iPods.

According to the suit filed by plaintiffs Joseph Birdsong and Bruce Waggoner iPod ear buds pose a risk of hearing loss to those who use them because of the way they embed in the ear canal.

They wanted financial damages, Apple to test iPod users for potential hearing loss, and for the company to provide better headphones.

According to the appeals court, the plaintiffs did not show how the iPods could be dangerous at all, but actually showed how they could be used safely.

“The plaintiffs do not allege the iPods failed to do anything they were designed to do nor do they allege that they, or any others, have suffered or are substantially certain to suffer inevitable hearing loss or other injury from iPod use,” Senior Judge David Thompson wrote.

“At most, the plaintiffs plead a potential risk of hearing loss not to themselves, but to other unidentified iPod users.”