In todayÂ’s Guardian, Alexis Petridis wrote an article concerning fostering music taste in his young daughter, Esme. He explains that he used to believe moulding musical tastes by forcing oneÂ’s own tastes on that of their children was not only arrogant but also stifling. His philosophy changed, though, when Esme began listening to music and requesting (screaming for) her CDÂ’s be played (constantly) in the car. In PetridisÂ’ words: (more…)
Archive for October, 2009
Could Moulding Your Child
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009Holiday Gift Ideas for Pampering and Hearing Protection
Friday, October 23rd, 2009The silly season is right around the corner. Have you started your shopping or perhaps you enjoy the thrill of shopping on Christmas Eve and scooping up on the big sales. I canÂ’t believe there was a time in my life where I waited until Christmas Eve to shop for everyone on my list. In one evening, IÂ’d have all the shopping done in 3 hours and then spend the next few hours with a bottle of wine and rolls of wrapping paper.
Not anymore! With children, you have to plan quite some time in advance, and my days of a relaxing Christmas Eve shopping and wrapping presents are long done. The one salvation of Christmas shopping these days when you have children is the internet! No more paying a sitter so you can shop or asking your spouse to “baby sit” and then hear all the grumbling when you arrive home. DonÂ’t you just love hearing those disparaging remarks after youÂ’ve just spent 5 hours searching every store for the most popular toy of the season? “Why did it take you so long? Did you make the toys yourself?” Ugh! (more…)
Time to Fall Back: What Will You Do with Your Extra Hour?
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009One of my favourite days of the year is when we get to set the clocks back an hour. In fact, I usually donÂ’t set the clocks back until later in the day so I can have that lovely feeling of gaining an hour. ItÂ’s kind of nice to be in the middle of a task, see the time as being noon and having the realization: “Oh, itÂ’s only 11! My morning isnÂ’t over yet!” This year, IÂ’ve been so busy with work (which is a good thing) that IÂ’ll be spending my extra hour sneaking in work. What will you do with your extra hour? (more…)
Earplugs for Convertible Drivers?
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009IÂ’ve blogged about motorcycle earplugs, but what about earplugs for other vehicles? Do we really need earplugs when we drive cars or trucks? Perhaps so. In a recent press release about hearing damage, a study on the damaging effects of driving a convertible was cited.
The study printed in the Journal of Otolaryngology found that the noise to the left and right of a convertible driver can reach more than 88 decibels at speeds over 50 mph. Higher speeds may increase those figures to even higher, more damaging, decibel levels. Remember, permanent hearing damage can occur after repeated exposure to decibel levels at merely 85. (more…)
Inner and Outer Noises
Sunday, October 18th, 2009I recently read some interesting stuff on sound. We tend to think about sound in terms of music, voices, sounds in nature and so forth. Sound is very important. ItÂ’s how we communicate and it can be a great form of entertainment. At the same time, it can be annoying or even menacing if it disturbs our sleep.
Protecting your hearing with noise-reducing earplugs or musicianÂ’s earplugs can ensure a lifetime of hearing sweet sounds. You can also use earplugs such as sleeping earplugs to block the types of sound that cause distress. But what about the sound you hear in your own head? Do you need to protect yourself from sounds that have nothing to do with your ears? (more…)