Leading charity Deafness Research UK is releasing its top tips for the safe use of MP3 players in advance of the summer holidays – when more leisure time could lead to an increased risk of long exposure to dangerously high noise levels – particularly in youngsters. The top tips follow research by the charity showing too many people are putting their hearing at risk by listening to MP3 players too loudly for too long.

Vivienne Michael, CEO for Deafness Research UK, said: “Our research shows that too many people are putting their hearing at risk by listening to their MP3 player too loudly and for too long. There are simple ways to minimise the likelihood of damage and reduce the risk of hearing problems in later life. Our tips apply to the whole population but we are especially worried about young people, who are generally the heaviest users of MP3s and other mobile music devices - and often the most at risk because they don’t understand the dangers.

”There is a real role for parents and teachers to play here in acknowledging the risk and getting the message across to young people at every opportunity.”  

Deafness Research UK’s top tips for safe MP3 usage include:

• Always use the noise limiter on your MP3 player
• Parents should look for a locking feature on the player and use it to set the maximum volume using a special code
• Check that your player is not one with a maximum volume that exceeds statutory and Health & Safety limits - see the Which? website for details
• Adopt the 60:60 rule - only use your MP3 player at 60% of its maximum volume for 60 minutes a day
• Never have your MP3 player so loud that you can’t hear the noise around you
• Never have it so loud that those around you can here your music!
• Ear bud headphones are less efficient at drowning out background noise so it’s tempting to turn up the volume. Use the older muff-type or noise cancelling headphones instead

Deafness Research UK’s tips on how to minimise noise damage from everyday activities:

• Use earplugs. Earplugs can be unobtrusive and will not block out the sound of music or conversation. In fact, by blocking the excess noise, they can improve your ability to make out conversation and music. If worn correctly, earplugs can reduce sound levels by between 15 and 35 dBA. Special earplugs are available for musicians.
• Take regular breaks from the music or other noise source. Aim for at least ten minutes’ break every hour.
• Give your ears time to recover after exposure to excessive noise. Exposure to a 100 dBA sound for around two hours requires at least 16 hours of rest for the ears if the hearing loss is not to become permanent. A minority of people are more sensitive and a longer period of rest may be required.
• Avoid standing too close to the speakers or other noise source.
• Don’t go to noisy places too often, and try less noisy pastimes.