Sound & sense.

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Sometimes it seems the only downside of an MP3 player is that you usually can't bring it to school. But there's a bigger worry. Eighty percent of otolaryngologists--doctors who care for ear, nose, and throat problems--fear that earbuds may lead to higher rates of hearing loss.

That's the result of a survey by the American Academy of Otolaryngology. The survey also showed that parents are more concerned about MP3-induced hearing damage than they are about asthma, food allergies, or secondhand smoke. "We're starting to actually see teenagers coming in with the beginning [stages] of hearing loss," notes Dr. Marcella Bothwell, a pediatric otolaryngologist at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. "It's really sneaky stuff because [the hearing loss] starts in high frequencies and you don't notice it."

How can you keep your ears safe while enjoying your favorite tunes? Simple: Limit the amount of time you use your earbuds, and keep the volume down to no more than three-quarters of the maximum. "If you're in a loud environment," suggests Bothwell, "don't turn your iPod up to overcome it."