LOUD music is leaving four million young people at risk of damaging their hearing, according to campaigners who want Rotherham music lovers to take part in a survey about their listening habits.
Action on Hearing Loss says loud music played over MP3 players or in pubs, clubs and at gigs puts listeners at risk of experiencing tinnitus--ringing, whistling, humming or buzzing in the head or ears - and damaged hearing.
By 2013, all personal music players in the EU will have safe default volume levels that can be overridden and the charity is keen to find out what young people think about taking steps to protect their hearing.
This week is Tinnitus Awareness Week and Action on Hearing Loss is asking young music lovers in Rotherham to tell the charity about their listening habits and attitudes towards protecting their hearing.
People aged 30 or under can take part in the charity's two-minute survey by visiting http://svy.mk/MP3survey. Participants have the chance to win noise-cancelling headphones worth £80.
Director of Public Engagement at Action on Hearing Loss, Emma Harrison, said: "Research shows that listening to personal music players at a high volume over a sustained period can lead to permanent hearing damage and, during tinnitus Awareness Week, we want young people in Rotherham to share their experiences and attitudes about listening to loud music."
For information about listening to loud music safely, visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/loveyourears