A new EU study has shown that 1 in 10 people who regularly use personal MP3 or CD Players could suffer permanent hearing loss because they are listening to music that is simply too loud.

Many more young people are using MP3 players and other music devices,  here are some solutions to help combat the threat of hearing loss.

AIHHP professionals have been offering advice and we hope this latest research will open more ears to good advice.

"AIHHP professionals have no desire to be  killjoys, we do understand the appeal of loud entertainment, but the number of younger people with hearing loss is dramatically increasing. And the culprit seems to be noise – particularly when delivered via loud headphones."

One reason why headphone volumes are set so dangerously high is because music players are used in environments where general background noise competes with the sound coming from the personal stereo – especially when used outdoors. The standard headphones worn with MP3 players simply rest in the bowl of the ear, giving a poor acoustic seal and poor reduction of background noise. This leads to the wearer needing to increase the volume.

Solution One – Audiology Technology

To combat the issue of turning up to hear, we are now offering custom moulded ear pieces, into which the standard earphones attach.

Clients will need to visit an AIHHP member in order to have impressions made of the inside of their ears (a simple and painless process). These impressions are then made into the bespoke moulds – these are similar devices as fitted to the Practice’s musician clients for on-stage monitoring.

These tailored earphones are extraordinary, because they enable a much better acoustic seal; the user notices two immediate benefits:

1. The volume is reduced because they hear less competitive background noise, and,
2. The sound quality is much better.

"If we can provide better earphone technology to help people save their hearing, then as  Audiologists, that is our job well done! Our job is as much about hearing preservation, as it is about fitting hearing aids."

If you’re a concerned parent, a music lover, or wear earphones a lot, it could be a sound investment for your ears to get a set of custom made ear moulds.

Solution Two – Turn it Down!

The other alternative, and cheaper solution, is of course, just to turn it down! Sounds easy but in practice it’s a different story.

"With personal stereos and iPods, turning down the right amount can be tough, since manufacturers don't mark their volume dials in decibels. Tests have found that headphone maximum volumes ranged from 91 decibels to 121 decibels. The latter can cause hearing damage in a matter of seconds."

In general, remember the 60-60 rule – stereo headphones are safe for up to 60 minutes a day of listening with digital music players at 60 percent of their maximum volume. But be sensible.

Turn up for your favourite track perhaps, but moderate the volume for general listening."

So, remember this, whether you’re giving or receiving any music device. Hearing is a precious gift and once it’s damaged, it’s damaged forever. It may not be cool to turn down the volume but, no matter how technologically advanced hearing aids become, it’s still cooler than making yourself deaf.