MP3 users risk premature hearing loss

14/09/07

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) say regular use ofMP3 players may cause premature hearing damage. The charity is urging manufacturers to include warnings on their product packaging and to link volume levels to decibels - so people know when they've reached a damaging volume.

To support its campaign, the RNID has reported results of a survey showing that more than two thirds of 18-30 year olds listen to their MP3 players at "dangerously high volumes". The charity tested 110 volunteers' MP3 players and 72 people were listening to music at over 85 decibels.

Brian Lamb, Acting Chief Executive of RNID, said:

"It's easy to crank up the sound levels on your MP3 player to damagingly loud levels, especially on busy streets or public transport. But if people can hear the music from your headphones from just a metre away, you're putting your hearing at risk