Teens up iPod if asked to turn sound down

BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Teenagers who receive pressure from peers or others to turn down the volume of their iPods turn them up higher, U.S. researchers found.

University of Colorado at Boulder audiologist and doctoral candidate Cory Portnuff, who headed the study in conjunction with associate professor Kathryn Arehart and Brian Fligor of Children's Hospital Boston, found teenage boys listen louder than teen girls and teens who express the most concern about the risk for and severity of hearing loss from iPods actually play their music at higher levels than their peers.

"We really don't a have good explanation for why teens concerned about the hearing loss risk actually play their music louder than others," Portnuff said.

The study of 30 volunteers indicated teens play their music louder than young adults, and teens may inaccurately perceive how loud they are playing their music.

However, everyone does not share the same risk of hearing loss, Portnuff said. Some people are born with "tougher ears" that allow them to listen to music relatively safely for longer periods.

"Damage to hearing occurs when a person is exposed to loud sounds over time," Portnuff said in a statement. "The risk of hearing loss increases as sound is played louder and louder for long durations, so knowing the levels one is listening to music at, and for how long, is extremely important."

The findings were presented last week at the annual Hearing Conservation Conference held in Atlanta.