I Can't Hear You...

You wouldn't stand next to a jackhammer and nod your head, yet millions of music fans are doing the equivalent for hours on end, according to the latest research.  That is, listening at volumes exceeding 100dB, with heavy bass to boot, thanks partly to an onslaught of bigger, more serious headphones.  And report after report keeps pointing to near-certain, mass hearing loss ahead.   
The white earbuds seem innocent compared to today's headgear, and here's where this gets really scary.  According to the latest survey, just released by the UK-based Action on Hearing Loss, 80 percent have no idea that loud music leads to hearing loss or tinnitus.  And, 83 percent pointed to already-developed symptoms of temporary tinnitus and a 'ringing in their ears'.  
Which means, we're in a breeding ground of older, partially deaf adults.  And apathy seems like the biggest enemy.  Even more dramatically, nearly 20 percent said they'd only be a 'bit worried' if they developed permanent tinnitus.  "Next year, it will become EU law that all new mp3 players have a maximum default volume setting of 85dB," Action on Hearing Loss director of Public Engagement Emma Harrison relayed.  "But the research revealed a staggering one in three people would override this setting even though this could result in damaging their hearing or developing tinnitus."
Call it alarmist research, though this is an organization clearly trying to solve a problem.  And part of the issues is that the worst offenders are younger listeners, a group that typically disregards health warnings from adults and tends to don a cloak of invincibility.   Combine that with the loudest technology ever experienced in the history of mankind, and... you get the idea.
Here are some of the other findings of the study:
83% have had ringing or buzzing in their ears.
19% are only worried 'a bit' about it.
87% listen to personal music players.
76% are not aware of the EU regulations that from 2013 all mp3 players have a default maximum setting.
34% would override the setting.
80% would change their behavior if they knew about the dangers of listening to loud music.