MP3 players damage teens-hearing

Young people are risking going deaf 30 years before their parents by listening to loud music on their iPods, says new research.

Deafness Research UK, who carried out the study, say that listening for too long to loud music through headphones can permanently damage your hearing.

The study showed that half of those between the ages of 16 to 24 are wired up to their MP3 players for more than an hour a day. Two thirds of those have no idea that listening to loud music can cause lasting damage.

Loud noise destroys the hair cells in the ears that enable you to hear. These cells die off with the ageing process, but listening to music at a loud volume speeds up this loss of hearing.

Chief Executive, Vivienne Michael says: "Hearing loss can make life unbearable. It cuts people off from their family and friends and makes everyday communication extremely difficult. We want people to realise that their hearing is an important as their sight and protect their ears against any potential damage."

The charity have advised that you don't listen to your MP3 player for more than an hour at more than 60 per cent of the volume. They say if other people can hear your music, it's too loud.

Source:www.teenshealth