“The ear buds commonly used by iPod listeners are placed directly into the ears and can boost the audio signal by as many as nine decibels, comparable to the difference in sound intensity between an alarm clock and the lawn mower,” according to Prof. Dean Garstecki, Chairman of Northwestern’s Communication sciences and disorders Department.

Though the ear buds used with many iPods are more stylish today, they do not always fit snugly into the ears, often allowing background noise to seep in, which causes listeners to crank up the volume. But people do not realize that turning up the volume can damage the hearing.

“This danger is not confined to MP3 user such as iPod listeners. Compact Disc players and walkmans also use ear buds and carry the same risk,” warn the audiologists. What makes the iPods more risky is the longer battery life and higher music storage capacity.

Many youngsters are not aware that loud music may lead to life long hearing loss or they are not willing to change their life style.

Prof. Dean Garstecki suggests that these youngsters stick to 60/30 rule to minimize the risk of hearing loss; Sound levels should not exceed 60 percent of the maximum volume and iPod use should not exceed 30 minutes a day.

Samsung, the South Korean electronic giant has come out with a new washing technology called Silver Nano Health System. Washing clothes in silver removes 99.9% of odour- causing bacteria including e-coli, says Samsung. The clothes are sprayed with jets of cold water containing nano  silver ions since there is no need for hot water or bleach, it is ideal for delicate garments and modern fabrics. 

In the new washing technology, water passes through silver electrodes. Electricity passes through these electrodes, generating nano ( one millionth of a millimeter in diameter ) silver ions. 

Using silver for washing may be new but water treatment facilities in hospitals already use silver ions. 

Another form of silver ‘Colloidal silver’ has been used as a natural antibiotic till 1938.but slowly faded out of use in favour of cheap, chemical antibiotics. 

Dr. Robert O. Becker discovered that silver kills some 650 disease organisms whereas an antibiotic kills about 6 disease organisms. Moreover silver is non-toxic. He calls silver as the mightiest germ fighter. 

The Indians knew the medicinal value of silver thousands of years ago. They used silver plates, silver glasses and silver spoons to feed the infants and their guests.

It is unfortunate that banks have stooped to the level of selling movie tickets! The number of irritating and unwanted calls from the reputed banks trying to sell you a credit card, personal loan, or an insurance policy has created a negative image about these banks and is spoiling their reputation.

These uninvited pests, affect your time and privacy. The callers have a readymade script and talk non-stop like an automated message. They test your patience to the core. They won’t leave you till you buy or you die.

There must be some initiative from the consumer groups to curb this menace. Consumer Protection councils can step in to weed out this nuisance.

In India, one of the mobile phone operators Hutch has taken the bold initiative called ‘Do not Disturb’ and stopped its telemarketing activity. The industry leaders such as Tatas and Reliance have supported the initiative and have taken steps to curb unwanted telemarketing calls. They have recommended that companies that violate the regulations must be penalised.

How many of us have the experience of sitting next to an obese man on a long-haul flight? He spills all over you. And in case he dozes off, it is a nightmare! Given the fact that the average airline seat is 17” and one-third of the passengers are wide –bodied, the problem is growing faster than the waistline. 

Cases have been filed against the airlines, both by obese passengers and passengers affected by obese passengers. Some airlines such as SouthWest airlines have a policy of asking obese passengers to buy an extra seat. When this policy went to the court, it was upheld by the court with just one amendment that it must be implemented only when the flight is full. 

For passengers, affected by other obese passengers, airlines have a policy of offering compensation – in the form of upgrades, free tickets or shopping vouchers – but only if you complain! 

Obese passengers cause not only untold discomfort for other average-sized passengers; they also contribute to an increase in the ticket prices, by increasing the expensive aviation-fuel consumption.