COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- These days it’s not unusual to find kids with earphones attached to their heads – it’s almost like another appendage! Kids listen to music all day long.

Some even sleep connected to their iPod or MP3 player.  But, the constant playing of loud music is cause for concern. Anneke Lee, Doctor of Audiology at Ears 2 U Hearing, says today’s kids are losing their hearing at a much faster pace and the effects are life-changing.

“Noise induced hearing loss is irreversible,” said Lee.  “It will cause permanent hearing loss.”

According to the Journal of Pediatrics, 12.5 percent of children ages six to 19 have noise induced hearing loss.

“Noise is damaging not just because of the loudness level but also the duration or length of time you are exposed to the noise,” says Lee.  “So, the longer the length of time the more damage.”

Unlike the Walkman from decades ago, which needed to charge after a period of use which gave the ears a break, today’s technology allows for hours upon hours of continuous play.  17-year-old Zach Donels admits he rarely takes his headphones off, even at school.

“The teacher always has to tell me to take it out,” said Donels, “All the time.”

To make matters worse, he says he always keeps the volume loud to tune out any environmental noise.  Dr. Lee said that’s a signal that ear damage is being done.

“If you can hear your child’s ipod when they are using it, it’s probably too loud,” said Lee.

To keep music listening safe, Dr. Lee says to follow the “60-60 Rule”:
- Keep volume at 60 percent or less
- Don’t listen for more than 60-minutes at a time and give your ears a rest for an hour.

“Hearing loss is 100 percent irreversible,” said Lee, “but it’s also 100% preventable.”