Robert Novak, director of clinical education in audiology at Purdue University said they are researching the sound levels produced by iPod and MP3 music players at their clinic.

"We are seeing young people that have a head start on the hearing aging process," Novak said. "They are losing some sensitivity that we wouldn't see until the 30, 40 and 50-year-old decades."

People have an "addiction to iPod use," Novak said and technology allows people to use them all day, everyday. People also turn up the volume when they are in noisier areas, such as a bus or a gym, which does even more damage.

"People have something coupled to their ear more hours a day," Novak said. "Your ears have much less rest time."

Jerry Punch, a professor in the Department of Audiology and Speech Sciences said if you can hear music from headphones that other people are wearing, it is potentially dangerous to his or her hearing.

There is a susceptibility factor, though, Punch said.

"You can take your chances, but many people are very susceptible to hearing loss," he said.

One reason hearing quality is declining, Punch said is that children in elementary school are tested regularly, but by the time they are in college it is mostly forgotten about.

"People take their hearing for granted," he said. "If a physician mentions it during a physical exam, they usually won't get it checked out."

A way to protect against hearing loss that is becoming more and more prevalent, is using earplugs while doing loud activities such as mowing the lawn or going to a rock concert, Punch said.

"Do anything you can to protect your hearing by not exposing yourself to loud noise and of course, using earplugs," Punch said.

The main sign of hearing loss is ringing in the ears, but other signs include speech sounding muffled and not being able to hear people at a distance.

Although digital hearing aids have become dramatically better than they were 10 years ago, Punch said they cannot make hearing normal or restore perfect hearing.

"People become isolated in not being able to go out in social situations," Punch said.

Perry Goldberg, a no-preference freshman, said he listens to music on his headphones everyday. He said that he feels "impermeable to any damage."

"Personally I like to listen to my music loud," Goldberg said. "I guess you can call me in 30 years and see if I can hear you."

But Punch said everyone, especially young people should be concerned about taking care of their ears.

"People should know that just because they are young they should not assume they can't have hearing loss," Punch said.

By Jennifer Toland