by Neil Bauman, Ph.D.

Hearing loss is rampant among our youth today—much of it caused by listening to loud music for several hours each day. Just look around. iPods and MP3 players seem to be glued to many kids ears.

Since many of these iPods and MP3 players amplify sounds to dangerous hearing levels, it is up to the wearer to set the volume to a level that won’t damage their ears.

However, our youth seem to be addicted to loud music and thus listen with the volume cranked up to ear-damaging levels.

Now there is another solution. A company has come up with a unique idea—ear buds that won’t produce sound above 80 dB (the maximum safe level) no matter how loud the volume is turned up on the iPod or MP3 player. I think this is a great idea and one that is long overdue if you are interested in saving your kid’s hearing.

You can get a pair of these “iHearSafe” earbuds, for only $24.99 from Ingemi Corp’s on-line store. You’d do well to check them out.