As a Dr. Ellen Finkelstein, a board certified audiologist quoted in the article, notes, how long young people are exposed to loud noises from cell phones and iPods plays a big part in hearing damage. Not just the decibel level is to blame here.

Over 85 decibels, sounds are considered dangerous, and those exposed may suffer permanent hearing loss over time. Though it may be hard to imagine how loud 85 decibels is, it’s a fact that the new iPods are capable of producing sounds as loud as 130 decibels. That’s quite a bit more than 85, and, as the article points out, the battery allows people to listen continuously — much longer than Walkmans allowed.

Dr. Finkelstein also mentions in the article that they “usually see hearing loss initially in the higher frequency ranges.”

So what to do about hearing damage and hearing loss from loud music and iPods? For some, the simple advice may be tough to follow: if it’s too loud, turn it down.

Do You Have Hearing Damage?

If you suspect or know that you have hearing damage, Hearing Aid Express is proud to offer free hearing evaluations. There is no obligation to buy hearing aids with this offer. And if you have any questions about hearing loss or hearing aids, our friendly, knowledgeable staff will be happy to help you.

We carry an impressive selection of hearing aids at our stores, which are conveniently located in Austin, Dallas and Houston. From Starkey hearing aids to Unitron hearing aids, to ReSound hearing aids, we will likely have something for you. We also now feature a new tinnitus treatment.

Stop by one of our hearing aid stores, or contact us online.