Teens won't turn down their MP3 players

When I was 16 I'd walk the two miles to work with my new Sony Walkman orange headphones blasting Let's Hear It For The Boy from the Footloose soundtrack. I had the volume turned up to 8 or 9 most of the time, way over the safe decibels level. From my youthful point of view these new earphones were so awesome I could turn up the volume to the point of pain. I wonder if this is why I now have trouble deciphering table dialogue in a loud restaurant.

According to recent focus group research teenagers feel invincible to hearing loss. Students admitted awareness of the hazards of loud music, but they also reported keeping their MP3 players at maximum volume. What else is new? This is right in line with their self-perceived immortality about lots of risky behaviors.

Researchers also determined many parents are not in the loop regarding hearing risks associated with MP3 players. Most of the students interviewed never had to nod their head to a parental warning. Researchers suggest not only do parents need to discuss responsible use of MP3 players with their kids, manufacturers should equip MP3 players with danger zone decibel indicators. Here's a guide for now -- to stay within safe volume levels do not turn your earbuds higher than 60 percent of full capacity. For over-the-ear headphones, 70 percent capacity is the recommended max.