Popular Music Players May Damage Hearing
By Maggie Faust

Are iPods hazardous to your hearing? Many experts believe they are.

At the University's Ram’s Head Center, many students listen to their iPods while working out. And though some wear head phones, most use the “ear buds” that come with their iPods. Experts say using ear buds instead of regular headphones can boost the intensity of music by nine decibels, a difference that can hurt your ears.

But audiology professor Jack Roush thinks the real issue is how loud iPods can get, not what type of hearing device you use.

"Whether it's one that goes around the ear, or down the ear canal, the most important thing is the sound level that's reaching the ear,” said Roush.

Many experts agree that iPods can hurt your hearing because they can be turned up to 130 decibels, which is about twice as loud as a vacuum cleaner.