We're seeing the kind of hearing loss in younger people that's typically found in aging adults.

We're seeing the kind of hearing loss in younger people typically found in aging adults. Unfortunately, the ear buds preferred by music listeners are even more likely to cause hearing loss than the muff-type earphones that were associated with the older devices.

Unfortunately, the ear buds are even more likely to cause hearing loss than the muff-type earphones that were used on Walkman and portable CD players.

The combination of high-signal intensity and long listening duration is a proven formula for permanent, irreversible hearing loss.

Insert earphones can boost the signal by as much as six to nine decibels. That's about the difference between the sound of a vacuum cleaner and a motorcycle. It's a significant difference.

That's a sound level that's equivalent to the measures that are made at rock concerts. And it's enough to cause hearing loss after only about an hour and 15 minutes.