The facts
Between 50 and 100 million people are estimated to use MP3s on a daily basis BBC News 13/10/08
Up to 10 million people across Europe could suffer permanent hearing loss because music is too loud (Listening for more than 1 hour per day each week at high volume exceeding 89 decibels for at least 5 years. This approximates to 5-10% of the listeners which equates to 10million people in EU) EU study on ‘Newly Identified Health Risks’
The top volume on MP3 players is around 100 decibels (equivalent to hearing pneumatic drill 10ft away, 130dB is threshold of pain) some can reach 105 Db and listening to music at this volume for more than just 15 minutes at a time can cause permanent hearing damage Reuters Health
39% of 18 to 24 year olds listened to personal music players for at least an hour a day and 42% admitted they thought they had the volume to high. Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)
If the sound from an MP3 player can be heard a metre away, then the listener is at risk of hearing damage.
Scientists say those who listen at high volume for more than one hour per day over five years risk permanent harm. BBC News 28th September 2009
It is advised that listening to MP3 players is limited to a “60-60 rule”: a maximum 60 minutes at a time, at 60% of volume capacity. Deafness Research UK
A third of people under the age of 35 have experienced ringing in the ears, a sign of hearing damage, after listening to loud music. Deafness Research UK
More than half of road accidents involving “podestrians” as they have been called, are described as young people, teenagers or children [listening to MP3 players]. Daily Telegraph 8th October 2008
RNID latest research found 72 out of 110 users were listening to their MP3 players above 85Db. The World Health Organisation says listening at 105Db for just 15 mins can cause damage. The Mirror, April 28th 2008
58% of 16 to 30 year olds are completely unaware of any risk to their hearing from MP3 players Deafness Research UK
66% of surveyed MP3 users are listening to louder than 85 decibels which can cause permanent damage to hearing over time. World Health Organisation
By the time the hearing disturbances are noticed, the damage has become permanent and almost always incurable EU press release
The evidence is that particularly young people have no idea they can be putting their hearing at risk Meglena Kuneva, EU Commissioner