After concluding that prolonged exposure to loud noise from personal music players could cause permanent hearing damage, the European Union is setting new limits that will cap the maximum volume of the devices at about 80 decibels. Decibel levels (dBA) above 85 will harm hearing over time; anything above 140 dBA can cause damage to hearing after just one exposure. For comparison, the following are typical decibel levels of common outdoor noises.

COMPILED BY CARLY WEEKS, GRAPHIC BY TRISH McALASTER/THE GLOBE AND MAIL 8 SOURCES: REX BANKS, CHIEF AUDIOLOGIST AT THE CANADIAN HEARING SOCIETY; LISA BONNEAU, DIRECTOR OF AUDIOLOGY, THE HEARING LOSS CLINIC IN CALGARY; HEALTH CANADA

THRESHOLD OF PAIN: 140 dBA140125 120 120125 120 120 115–130115–130

110 110100 90 85 8080

6042

20

Thunder Ambulancesiren

Car hornCar stereo Trafficnoise

Normalconversation

Residentialarea - night

Rustlingleaves

Crowdedrestaurant/patio

LawnmowerGarbagetruck

MP3 player(max volume)

MP3 playerJackhammerAirplanetakeoff

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The new EU legislation proposes a maximum default setting of 80 decibelsfor portable music players.

Who is most at risk to the effects of noise damage?

People of all ages are vulnerable to the effects of hearing damage due to excessive noise. Hearing experts often warn about the risk personal music players pose to youth, but their concern centres on the excessive volume and long periods of time young people may be using the music players. Another problem facing young people is that their environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV and MP3 players, which could cause them to experience the effects of hearing loss sooner than older generations.

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pose problems. But cranking up

How long does it take for my hearing to get damaged from listening to a personal music player?

Listening to an MP3 player at moderate levels likely won’t pose problems. But cranking up the volume changes things. You face significant risk of permanent hearing loss if you listen to music for 45 minutes or more a day that's so loud a person standing 30 centimetres away must shout to be heard. You face serious hearing loss risks if you listen to music for five minutes a day that's so loud a person must shout into your ear to be heard.

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Who is most at risk to the effects of noise damage?

People of all ages are vulnerable to the effects of hearing damage due to excessive noise. Hearing experts often warn about the risk personal music players pose to youth, but their concern centres on the excessive volume and long periods of time young people may be using the music players. Another problem facing young people is that their environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV and MP3 players, which could cause them to experience the effects of hearing loss sooner than older generations.

Who is most at risk to the effects of noise damage?

People of all ages are vulnerable to the effects of hearing damage due to excessive noise. Hearing experts often warn about the risk personal music players pose

Who is most at risk to the effects of noise damage?

People of all ages are vulnerable to the effects of hearing damage due to excessive noise. Hearing experts often warn about the

and long periods of time young people may be using the music players. Another problem facing young people is that their environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV and MP3 players, which could cause them to experience the effects of hearing loss sooner than older generations.

young people is that their environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV and MP3 players, which could

effects of hearing loss sooner than older generations.

environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV

effects of hearing loss sooner than older generations. effects of hearing loss sooner than older generations.

and long periods of time young MENUand long periods of time young

due to technology, such as TV and MP3 players, which could cause them to experience the effects of hearing loss sooner than older generations.

due to technology, such as TV and MP3 players, which could cause them to experience the effects of hearing loss sooner than older generations.

young people is that their environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV and MP3 players, which could

young people is that their environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV and MP3 players, which could

Who is most at risk to the effects of noise damage?

People of all ages are vulnerable to the effects of hearing damage due to excessive noise. Hearing experts often warn about the risk personal music players pose

Who is most at risk to the effects of noise damage?

People of all ages are vulnerable to the effects of hearing damage due to excessive noise. Hearing experts often warn about the risk personal music players pose

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and don’t keep competing noise

What’s worse? Ear buds or over-the-ear headphones?

Some experts say that ear buds could present more of a potential risk to listeners because they sit closer to the ear and don’t keep competing noise out as effectively as traditional headphones. Ear buds that don’t block out noise well may cause the user to turn the volume up, which could lead to hearing loss over a period of time. However, experts point out that listening to music too loudly and for too long presents a risk, no matter what type of headphone is worn.

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headphones on the market that

How can I protect myself from potential hearing loss?

There are several steps consum-ers can take to avoid hearing loss. There are many types of noise-cancelling headphones on the market that help eliminate background noise that may otherwise push users to turn up the volume on their MP3 players or iPods. Another step is to adjust the maximum volume of the music player to a lower default level. Many types of music players, such as the iPod, allow users to adjust the maximum volume settings, which can help protect hearing. But the most effective step experts recommend? Turn the volume down – period.

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around you. Other signs include

What are some early signs my hearing might be damaged?

You may experience what’s called “temporary threshold shift,” or the feeling that it’s harder to hear what’s going on around you. Other signs include ringing in the ears and the sensation your ears are “full” or blocked, a familiar feeling to anyone emerging after several hours at a noisy nightclub. But the side effects of loud noise can also be similar to those of a bad sunburn – they may not appear until years later.

personal music players pose to music player is set too high: If

How can I tell if the volume on my iPod or MP3 player is loud enough to cause hearing damage?

There are three simple signs that the volume on your personal music player is set too high: If you have it turned on and can’t hear someone talking to you in a normal speaking voice from a distance of three feet, it’s probably too loud; if a person sitting next to you can hear the music from your ears, it’s definitely too loud; and if you have to shout to hear yourself talk while listening to a personal music player, it’s up too loud.

Who is most at risk to the effects of noise damage?

People of all ages are vulnerable to the effects of hearing damage due to excessive noise. Hearing experts often warn about the risk personal music players pose to youth, but their concern centres on the excessive volume and long periods of time young people may be using the music players. Another problem facing young people is that their environments tend to be noisier due to technology, such as TV and MP3 players, which could cause them to experience the effects of hearing loss sooner than older generations.