Crank Up the Safety on MP3s

With the booming popularity of MP3 players comes a hazard that many music enthusiasts seem to ignore. Listening to personal audio players with the volume too high can cause lasting and irreversible hearing loss, according to Lisa Kosmicki, Audiologist at Beloit Memorial Hospital. "Compounding the problem is that many listeners use the devices for many hours, not just brief periods," she adds.

How loud is too loud? Kosmicki recommends that you set the volume so you can still hear conversations around you. If you can't hear sounds other than those coming through your headphones or earbuds, or if people around you can hear your music, the volume is excessive. You risk permanent noise-induced hearing loss.