The iPod generation is seriously addicted. Perhaps the addiction is good in the way that music is good for the soul.  Earbuds are now a part of the experience of youth. The Blackberry Thumb has been followed by the iPod ear. Hearing loss induced by loud music is a painful reality for hundreds of iPod listeners. This has been corroborated by doctors who have seen young people with symptoms of hearing loss – symptoms that usually occur much later.

The iPod as well as music systems that are turned on loud are to blame. To be fair even driving in heavy traffic and loud television are culprits in this crime. Although the Sony Walkman was earmarked as a machine that would give rise to similar issues, the next gen MP3 players are something that are different in many ways. They have long lasting batteries, so even listening to music directly in the ear for a long time at a moderate volume may produce disastrous results.

The noise induced hearing loss problems began with portability of music machines and full time usability. Since 1971 auditory disorders have grown by 100 percent and then some among Americans of age 3 or older. High school students are a major victim of this sort of hearing loss. At peak level of 120 Decibels iPods are just too loud/ With iPods being sold to children below the age of 5, a new sort of problem arises.

So remember the old adage – too much of a good thing is not good at all! Listen to good wholesome music on your iPod and remember to keep the volume down.