"The levels (of sound) IPods and other headphone systems produce are quite sufficient to put a person at risk," says Brian Fligor, a pediatric audiologist at the Children's Hospital in Boston.

Research shows you will greatly reduce your risk of ear damage if you limit listening to one hour or less per day, with the device turned up to 60% of maximum volume.

"It's that repetitiveness and exceeding maximum exposure that in a few years will cause you problems," says Fligor.

However, he says this is a controversial topic because the negative impact of such devices has yet to be fully observed.

It can take years to develop ear damage, although sometimes it happens spontaneously; for example, from high levels of noise at a NASCAR race or rock concert.

"Hearing loss can be very hard to detect," says Fligor.

While ear damage can be difficult to identify, it's incredibly common, he says.

HEARING LOSS

An estimated 28 million people in the United States have hearing loss, with 10 million of those cases caused by exposure to high levels of noise.

Any level above 85 decibels has the potential to wear out the ears, says Adele Lewchuk, an Edmonton audiologist who works out of the Audiology Clinic of Northern Alberta.

"If parents are walking past their kids and can hear music blaring, that's too loud," she says. "The kids should be able to hear it, but not use excessive volume."

Ear damage caused by noise exposure results in permanent hearing loss, but it is one type of "sensorineural hearing loss" that can be prevented if you don't expose yourself to excessive noise.

NO PAIN INVOLVED

Lewchuk says kids have a hard time recognizing the importance of this because "there's no pain involved with damaging your ears."

When cranked to the max, most entertainment devices, like CD Walkmans, IPods and MP3 players, exceed 100 decibels.

Your car stereo is not as problematic because, unlike headphones, speakers are not pressed right against the ear.

"Cellphones are also a different animal," says Fligor.

"We could turn up the levels, but we use this device for communicating and our ear tolerates regular spoken levels."

When it comes to entertainment - the IPods and MP3 players - "we have a tendency to want more," he says.

People need to hear loud and clear the risks posed by these devices, but that doesn't mean scratching them from their Christmas lists.

"Parents should still buy their kids these toys. Don't hold back. Just encourage moderation," says Fligor.

Signs you may have a hearing problem include ringing in one or both ears after exposure to a noisy environment; your hearing seems muffled, like you have cotton in your ears; you're told you're mumbling when you don't think you are; or you have trouble understanding someone who's talking to you in a busy place, such as a restaurant.

Fligor suggests people get their hearing tested every two years.

"I can't stress this enough," he says. "It's the only way to know how well your ears are working for you."

By Jennifer Parks, Edmonton Sun
http://www.edmontonsun.com/Lifestyle/Health/2005/12/09/1345576-sun.html