People were warned today of the dangers of using MP3 music players with one in six Irish people suffering some hearing difficulties.
As part of Hearing Awareness Week running from today until Sunday, leaflets are being provided through GPs clinics to encourage people to look after their hearing.
The week is being run by Hidden Hearing, a network of hearing clinics throughout Ireland.
Keith Ross, a hearing aid audiologist with Hidden Hearing, said: "Young people need to be aware of their hearing and protect their hearing from loud, or unnecessary noise. We are becoming increasingly surrounded by unnecessary noise and distraction, with gadgets such as iPods being so popular.
"Many people who use iPods or MP3 players for long periods of time are frighteningly unaware of the fact that loud noise can damage their hearing.
"Noise-induced hearing loss is cumulative; it happens gradually over time so a young person will not know that they are doing damage. It's key that volume is kept relatively low ensuring they can still hear the sounds outside when wearing their earphones."
One in six of the Irish population, 17 per cent, are recorded as having some hearing difficulty comprising of 11 per cent who suffer from mild hearing loss, 5 per cent with moderate hearing loss and 1 per cent severe hearing loss.
A public information leaflet will be available through GPs' clinics and a special phone line - 1800 882 884 - will be open during the week.