Thomas Wulf wrote:

>George Marshall wrote:
>
>> ..  using headphones, even at low levels, spoils your hearing because
>> parts of your hearing system become, in effect, redundant.
>
>and Jeff Harris wrote:
>
>> I've also read that some hearing loss is also associated with listening
>> to music from an MP3 or other compressed audio format.  The reduced
>> frequency range of those formats caused (or could in theory cause) the
>> ear to become less able to hear the high and low frequencies which are
>> stripped.
>
>these assumptions semm 100% ridiculous to me.  pretty much like: reading
>books (or watching TV) spoils your ability to see in 3D because you don't
>use it..  BS
>
>:):):)  Thomas    mailto:[log in to unmask]

Well, not so ridiculous as to merit three:) s; perhaps half a one! 
It is a firmly established anatomical and physiological fact that unused
organs and functions atrophy.  (Two better known examples are: (1) when
thyroid insufficiency is treated with Thyroxin tablets -- as it has to
be -- one undesirable but unavoidable side-effect is atrophy of the
thyroid gland; and (2) when, as in a well known experiment, perfectly
healthy young students, aged 18 - 20, are paid to stay in bed for a month
as totally bed-ridden patients, when the experiment ends they are unable
to stand for a time (although, of course, they will totally recover).

So, now coming to sounds and music:

(1) Since the stripped low and high frequencies occur in nature, the
ill effect described by Jeff Harris would occur only if the earphones
are worn all (or almost all) the time.  I like to believe no one does
that.  However:

(2) Use of earphones for listening to music for long periods--as a
professional musician or an ardent enthusiast may do--will over longish
periods result in general decline of hearing, i.e.  decline of fine
hearing, just as prolonged work with hands results in the formation
of calluses.

I apologize for this longish explanation, but it may be helpful since
it is hard to think of anything more important for a musician than
hearing.

Peter Harzem