Don’t jeopardise hearing with personal music players warns health expert

Youngsters listening to loud personal music players may be jeopardising their hearing warn experts.

The use of popular music devices such as ipods exceeding 120 decibels can generate the same level of sound as a jet engine, particularly from headphones placed into the ear canal.

Research published today on the BMJ website by Professor Peter Rabinowitz from Yale University School of Medicine calls for more “hearing health” guidance to help protect young people from excessive noise exposure.

“Personal music players provide a reminder that our hunger for new technology should be accompanied by equally vigorous efforts to understand and manage the health consequences of changing lifestyles,” Professor Peter Rabinowitz concludes.