Happiness of Headphones; an Argumentative piece countering the Anti-Headphone movement

Virginia Heffernan explores the epidemic that is hearing loss due to headphones. She does a very good job explaining her case with many reputable sources. She also goes through and explains the backstory of headphones and how/ why they are used. “But the downside is plain, too: it’s antisocial.” One of the reasons people choose to use headphones, according to Heffernan, is because they want to be alone and block everyone out. She also says that using headphones cause hearing loss in those who use them. Both of these points have merit, but they do not explain everything.

Heffernan explains a few upsides of headphone’s power to block out everyone. But her examples didn’t hit home with the reader. She talks about headphones only being useful for “sound professionals, like intelligence and radio workers.” This doesn’t let anyone want to side with her, if she had referenced a broader group of people then perhaps she would have more people siding with her. I believe that blocking out your surroundings with music can be very beneficial to those who want to be creative, people who need their inner character to speak, people who need to relax, people who need to get amped up. The list goes on and on, the bottom line is that headphones are useful.

Heffernan’s rebuttal to that would go along the lines of, “The number of teenagers with hearing loss — from slight to severe — has jumped 33 percent since 1994.” I cannot face away from this fact. There is a concerning rise in teenagers with hearing loss. Heffernan says that the solution is to, “ use headphones less”, but I disagree. We do not have to use headphones less, we just have to use them properly. Turning up the volume is what damages ears. If the user of the headphones keeps the volume down then they can listen to music all they want with no damage. Using headphones less, but still keeping the volume dangerously loud, will still cause injuries to those listening.

Heffernan brings up some very valid points, but she does not fully elaborate on her topic, and while she uses good sources, she does not fully support these sources with her own ideas. Overall, headphone users around the world should be properly informed of how to use the devices, as well as why they should be used properly.

Works Cited:

Heffernan, Virginia. “The Argument Against Headphones.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 Jan. 2011, www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/magazine/09FOB-medium-t.html.