Users of iPods, MP3 players 'at hearing loss risk'

London, Dec 10 (ANI): You might love listening to your favourite song on the Mp3 player or iPod, but a charity has warned that people who hear music at too loud a volume on gadgets are at risk of irreversible hearing damage.

A new survey conducted by Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) found that two thirds of people tested played their MP3 players at levels, which can cause hearing loss.

The charity warns that dangerously loud levels may cause permanent hearing damage.

The survey involving more than 246 people, revealed that 66 per cent were listening at levels louder then 85 decibels.

The charity also found that 54 per cent of iPods and MP3 player lovers were listening to their favourite music at dangerously high volumes for longer than the four hour recommended daily limit.

"Our research found people around the country are listening to their MP3 players at unbelievably high levels, with more than one in five blasting their ears with sound levels of 100 decibels or more - the equivalent of hearing a pneumatic drill 10 feet away," the Telegraph quoted Emma Harrison, from RNID as saying.

"One MP3 user was listening at 118 decibels for one hour each day, a volume they shouldn't be exposed to for more than 14 seconds per day," she added.

She warned that listeners could be more at increased hearing damage risk during festive season.

"Many music lovers, already running the risk of damage through listening to their MP3 players too loudly, will be partying to even more loud music during the festive season, completely oblivious to the danger to their hearing," she said.

"With more people receiving MP3 players as Christmas gifts, it's essential they're aware of the risk and be able to make informed choices and take the steps to protect their hearing so they can enjoy music for longer," she added. (ANI)