Brussels may limit volume of MP3 players

The European Commission may move in to restrict the volume on MP3 players following evidence which suggests that prolonged exposure to music at high volume on the personal stereos can cause damage or even complete loss in hearing.

Brussels issued a warning about the MP3 players after advice from the EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR), which shows that between 2.5 million and 10 million Europeans could suffer hearing loss from listening to MP3 players at unsafe volumes - over 89 decibels - for more than an hour a day for at least five years.

Overall, in the EU, it is estimated that roughly 50 to 100 million people listen to portable music players on a daily basis. In the last four years alone, it is estimated that unit sales ranged between 184 - 246 million for all portable audio devices and 124 - 165 million for MP3 players.

A European safety standard already exists which restricts the noise level of personal music players to 100 decibels. However, with "in-ear" headphones the sound at the eardrum can reach 120 decibels.

In the coming months, member states will be consulted on more restrictive rules, particularly for manufacturers.

Consumer Affairs Commissioner Maglena Kuneva said she is very concerned that so many young people may be unknowingly damaging their hearing irrevocably.

"The scientific findings indicate a clear risk and we need to react rapidly. Most importantly we need to raise consumer awareness and put this information in the public domain," she said.