Over 30 million Americans are affected by hearing loss and 5.2 million are 6-19. Over the past 10 years, the percentage of 8th graders with hearing loss has increased over 400 percent.

As iPods and other portable music devices (MP3 players) become more popular, hearing experts worry that the number of people with hearing loss will become as commonplace as the devices themselves. Exposure to music through these devices can be both loud and long. Sound quality, portability and convenience translate into more time spent listening to music, which increases the potential for hearing damage.

Unfortunately, the hearing loss that occurs from loud noise is permanent, irreversible and may not become apparent for several years. Any sound above 90 decibels may cause some hearing loss if the exposure is long enough. Most MP3 players can produce sound up to 120 decibels. That is louder than a chain saw!

The best treatment for hearing loss induced by noise is prevention. The best prevention while using MP3 players is to make sure your music is not played too loud. Take steps to protect your hearing and you will be able to enjoy music and other sounds for many years to come.

Here are tips for preventing hearing loss when using MP3 players:

• Keep your volume at 60 percent of the maximum volume or less
• Do not turn up the volume so loud that you can no longer hear conversations going on around you
• Keep the volume down so that others cannot hear your music playing while your earphones are in your ears
• Turn down the volume if you find yourself shouting instead of talking when you respond to someone while your earphones are in place