Headphones: The New Hearing Danger

Although iPods and earbud headphones have given us the freedom to listen to music at our leisure, they also increase the risk of hearing loss. Studies have shown that a whole generation is being exposed to dangerously high sound levels through personal listening devices. If set to a reasonable volume, listening to music with headphones can be safe and enjoyable. But, all too often, people are listening at damaging volumes and, with the increased battery life of mp3 players and cell phones, they aren’t giving their ears enough rest. This technology presents new challenges for the hearing community. As more and more people plug in, regular hearing screenings become more important for ears of all ages.