Hearing trouble in store for the iPod generation

Londoners are risking permanent hearing damage by turning their MP3 players up to dangerously high

Figures published today reveal that two thirds of people in the capital are exceeding safe limits.

A survey shows some have the volume close to that of a pneumatic drill, or a jet engine.

Experts warn that hearing problems triggered by overexposure to loud music are a health time bomb for the "iPod generation".

The study, carried out over five days at Tube stations by London clinic the Cubex Hearing Centre, was backed by charity Environmental Protection UK.

Noise damage is caused by two factors — volume and the length of time you listen. Experts agree that a safe volume limit is 85 decibels.

Continued exposure to noise above that level can cause irreparable damage to the nerve endings in the ear, headaches and tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. Of 300 people tested for the study, 66 per cent exceeded the 85-decibel limit.

One man's music was louder than 100 decibels, similar to the level of a pneumatic drill at close range.

Just four minutes of daily exposure at this level can cause irreparable damage. A student at the University of Arts in High Holborn had her music at 110 decibels.

The EU is looking at plans to monitor noise levels from headphones.

There have been test cases in America where people with hearing damage have sued.

Adam Shulberg from Cubex said: "People must cut the wear time, turn down the volume or invest in noise-reducing headphones."

The RNID charity for the deaf is campaigning to educate people about the dangers of listening to loud music.

Director of public engagement Emma Harrison said: "While people wouldn't choose to stand near a drill for very long, many spend hours listening to music at the same dangerous level. We want them to enjoy music safely."