A recent study conducted in the European Union shows that teenagers are at risk of hearing loss from listening to their MP3 players too loudly for more than five hours a week. The report said that those who listened for only five hours a week at high-volume settings exposed themselves to more noise than permitted in the noisiest factory or workplace.
The study targeted “leisure noise”, including noisy cell phones and MP3 players, as a source of stress for the ears. The report says that listening to music over 89 decibels for just five hours a week exceeds the work-place limits, and more than that can cause permanent hearing loss after 5 years. The scientists calculated that the number of people who fall in that category of permanent hearing loss is about 10% of listeners, or 10 million in the EU. Scientists speculate that an increase in listening volume levels is dues to advanced technology which allows us to play our music at louder volumes without any distortion.
There is good reason for concern for your hearing if you regularly use a mobile phone and MP3 player, particularly if you enjoy them at higher volumes.