Dr. Charles Fankhauser notes in the December 2007 issue of New Occupational News that it is “well established that personal music listening devices are capable of sound levels potentially damaging to human hearing.”  However, there is no well developed criterion for users of such devices as there are damage risk criteria for workers exposed to loud noises on the job.  Personal earphone sound output is measured in the same way one might measure the output level of a hearing aid.  The A scale damage risk criteria for workers are based on sound field measurements and the two measurement techniques yield significantly different results, by as much as 10-15 decibels.

So what is one to do in order to limit potential hearing loss from these disc players and IPODs? 

We know that the sound levels associated with recreational music depend on earphone type and the environment where listening is taking place.  Dr. Fankhauser recommends the following:

1. Keep the volume down.  Half volume is a good guide.
2. Limit listening time.  Give your ears some quiet time.
3. Upgrade your earphones or ear buds to the kind that block unwanted sound. 
4. Go to www.listentoyourbuds.org for parental and educator resources.  MEDI New Occupational News, Issue 20, December 2007.