Listen up!

It seems obvious that listening to loud music could do some serious damage to your eardrums, maybe not immediate, but problems may surely come up years later.

Bert Schlauch, a professor teaching at the University of Minnesota Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, explains the dangers that loud sounds have on ears.

“The damage may build up over time and not appear until a person is older. For all sounds, the risk increases the more intense the sound and the longer the exposure, particularly from sustained or continuous sounds,” Schlauch said.

Recently, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey yielded specific results that affect teens’ hearing. This survey looked at about 4,000 teens between the ages of 12-19 years old. Two data sets were conducted between 1988 and 1994 and the second between 2005 and 2006.

The first set uncovered that about 15 percent of teens experienced hearing loss while the second set found about 20 percent. This means that about one in five teens had lost some hearing.

Be easy on the ears.

Protecting ears from natural noises of honking car horns, jack-hammering from construction sites and crying babies maybe tough. Yet, reducing the dangerous risk of hearing loss from electronic devices maybe more controllable.

Headphones are an effortless way to accessorize with an iPod or mp-3 player. However, selecting an ear protecting headphone set takes more discipline.

Purchase noise-canceling headphones which reduce ambient sounds. This makes for a more pleasurable listening experience while protecting ears from high-frequency sounds.

Check out these five sites that offer safe ear protection headsets.

1. BeatsbyDre offers a wide range of audio systems that cater to music industry professionals. The over-ear and in-ear headphones focus on boosting sound quality. Additionally, this site offers performance and safety tips to avoid hearing damage. http://www.beatsbydre.com/

2. LoudEnough says their built-in volume reducer earphones are specially made to protect the eardrums of children. These earphones can “reduce sound pressure by up to 20db.” Check out refreshing the plum, mint and blueberry colors. http://www.loudenough.com/

3. Needing to add a personal touch, spend $30 to $150 for a set of Skullcandy http://www.skullcandy.com/shop/all-products/headphones.html headphones. These designs offer your ears a definite fresh look. Plus, Skullcandy is now offering free shipping for purchases over $50!

4. To save money, take a look at the Lightweight Noise Cancellation Maxwell headphones http://www.maxell-usa.com/index.aspx?id=63;66;521;0. Pick up a pair at Target, Borders or Office Depot.

5. If money is no issue, dropping $99.95 up to $349.95 on a pair of Bose noise-canceling, audio or mobile headphones is no problem. This leading company sells sounds systems in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, Asia and South America. Bose sells not only headphones, but radio, indoor, outdoor, home theater, wireless, computer and iPod dock systems, as well. http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/noise_cancelling_headphones/index.jsp

Be careful when turning up the volume while running on the treadmill, thumping the car radio, watching a movie in surround sound or working in a music studio.

Did you hear all that?

-Trenae V. McDuffie