The shocking truth of iPods

Jimmy 2004 · Jul 16, 2007

You may think twice before listening to you iPod during a thunderstorm after reading this story. A number of cases in the US suggest that listening to an iPod (or presumably any other device that uses headphones) can increase the severity of injuries suffered if you are struck by lightning. Obviously there aren't too many cases of people being struck by lightning in general, so the evidence is a little patchy, but the latest issue of the New England Journal of Medicine claims that while lightning will normally flash over a victim's skin (admittedly that is harmful enough by itself), the iPod's headphones can act as a conductor and direct a bolt of electricity straight into a listener's ear, potentially rupturing eardrums. One case is of a 37 year old man who was struck by lightning when jogging passed a tree listening to music. "Although the use of a device such as an iPod may not increase the chances of being struck by lightning, in this case, the combination of sweat and metal earphones directed the current to, and through, the patient's head," the doctors wrote - as a result the man lost over 50% of his hearing. So although it is relatively rare, you may want to keep this in mind if you want to get the safest experience whilst being struck by lightning.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

infrared · Jul 16, 2007

That's funny! :laugh:

DaMulta · Jul 16, 2007

Nemesis881 · Jul 16, 2007

thats a pretty extreme picture DaMulta :rockout:

jurrasstoil · Jul 16, 2007

Why does this news refer to Apple/ipod especially?

This could happen with any other player or phone (those mp3 ones...) or even with a hearing device. It's like saying: There is a chance of being hit by a lightning while taking a dump and get your balls burned off...

It's funny none the less

spectre440 · Jul 16, 2007

Jimmy 2004 said:
a 37 year old man who was struck by lightning when jogging passed a tree listening to music.

talk about your list of "dont's" during a thunderstorm... hahahaha.... :laugh:

WarEagleAU · Jul 16, 2007

Thats pretty wicked, the picture at least.

They also said the same thing about taking a bath or shower while a lightning or thunder storm is coming. Weird..

anticlutch · Jul 16, 2007

What kind of idiot would be outside jogging in a thunderstorm? Serves him right to get shocked...

mdm-adph · Jul 16, 2007

I've also heard that being in possession of a large mass of "gray" matter composed of at least 75% H20 and controlled by various electrical signals and neuro-receptors can cause you to be struck by lightening, as well.

Better rid yourselves of any objects fitting that description immediately.

newbielives · Jul 16, 2007

Can't lightning and ppl just get along

newtekie1 · Jul 16, 2007

I'll have to keep this in mind the next time I plan to get struck by lightning.

Basard · Jul 16, 2007

this is news? and why are they picking on ipods? i hate the things just as much as the next guy, but who really cares.... if you have any metal shoved in your ears, dont run outside in a lightning storm... more like propaganda than news, and i hate propaganda more than ipods

mdm-adph · Jul 16, 2007

Basard said:
this is news? and why are they picking on ipods? i hate the things just as much as the next guy, but who really cares.... if you have any metal shoved in your ears, dont run outside in a lightning storm... more like propaganda than news, and i hate propaganda more than ipods

You're right -- this is probably pro-Zune-based fearmongering.

Or maybe it's Apple trying to promote the image of their product as "dangerous" and "cool."

Who knows.

Jimmy 2004 · Jul 16, 2007

jurrasstoil said:
Why does this news refer to Apple/ipod especially?

I just think it's because iPod is often used as a generic term for MP3 player by less technically knowledgeable people - I'm just basing it on what the source says. I personally found it quite funny, it's not a dead serious news post, and I doubt it is really going to affect many people's lives.

Jonnycat · Jul 16, 2007

Jimmy 2004 said:
One case is of a 37 year old man who was struck by lightning when jogging passed a tree listening to music.

What kind of music do trees listen to?

mdm-adph · Jul 16, 2007

Jonnycat said:
What kind of music do trees listen to?

Enya.

Casheti · Jul 16, 2007

Apparently lightning comes up from the ground and then back down again? And as far as I know you can feel a small static charge just before it strikes, maybe I'm just talking BS I dunno...

Wile E · Jul 17, 2007

Casheti said:
Apparently lightning comes up from the ground and then back down again? And as far as I know you can feel a small static charge just before it strikes, maybe I'm just talking BS I dunno...

You're right about it coming up from the ground first. They've caught it on film. What looks like several, small bolts of electricity, called "feelers", come up from the ground. The strike only connects with one of them.

Many people that survived lightning strikes, also reported their hair standing on end, just like when you touch a Vandergraph Generator.

Casheti · Jul 17, 2007

Apparently some guy wearing jeans got struck and the zip in his jeans fused to his you know what...

OUCH.

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The shocking truth of iPods

Jimmy 2004

New Member

infrared

DaMulta

My stars went supernova

Nemesis881

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jurrasstoil

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spectre440

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WarEagleAU

Bird of Prey

anticlutch

mdm-adph

newbielives

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newtekie1

Semi-Retired Folder

Basard

mdm-adph

Jimmy 2004

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Jonnycat

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mdm-adph

Casheti

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Wile E

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Casheti

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