After The Who's Pete Townshend claimed wearing headphones had damaged his hearing, STEVE CARROLL listens in as York experts reveal whether the iPod generation should turn it down.

THERE are few things more important than your hearing.

So newsreader Eamonn Holmes tells me, as the host on a telephone service which allows callers to test whether they are in danger of going deaf.

You hear a rushing sound in the background, while you try to pick out three numbers and press them into the phone keypad.

After several minutes of frantic tapping, Eamonn lets you know whether your hearing is tip-top, or if tinnitus is the least of your problems.

Mine was in the normal range. Several of my colleagues were not so lucky.

The current infatuation with all things "ear" arose after guitarist Pete Townshend, of The Who, claimed years of wearing headphones in the studio had left him with irreparable hearing damage.

Mr Townshend said, perhaps surprisingly, it was the use of headphones rather than the years of being on stage pumping out guitar music at 120 decibels that was to blame.

He warned the 21st Century digital music generation "hard of hearing" times were ahead.

He said: "I have unwittingly helped to invent and refine a type of music that makes its principal proponents deaf.

"My ears are ringing, loudly. My own particular kind of damage was caused by using earphones in the recording studio, not playing loud on stage."

So, are we storing up trouble for the future? Now MP3 and iPod use has become almost universal - particularly among the younger generation - should we be

worried about hearing loss in our old age?

Michael Grace, an ear, nose and throat specialist at York Hospital, says the after-effects of excessive headphone use are not with us yet.

He said: "There is no evidence to show young people are suffering hearing loss. We've seen no increase, and no significant problems."

But with the Sony Walkman first hitting the streets way back in 1979, why the sudden public fear? After all, personal stereos have not left the 40 and 50-somethings of today rushing in their droves to the audiologist.

The advent of digital music players, and their ability to hold thousands of songs and be listened to for days at a time, is the difference.

Problems can arise because the cochlea of the ear, the specialised cells which respond to sound vibrations and send signals to the brain, can become damaged and faulty by high volumes.

Should we be worried? Expert audiologist Neil Charlwood, of Ebor Hearing, in Walmgate, York, says a cautious approach is the right one.

He said: "Generally, people in their late 20s and early 30s tend to think about their hearing less. So they are more likely to just turn the volume up, or ask people to repeat things if they can't hear a conversation.

"Headphone use is becoming more and more prominent with iPods and digital music, but it depends on the volume level and the duration the person is

listening to it for.

"In terms of work regulations, the current noise levels are 85 decibels for a period of eight hours.

"If it is any louder than that, then you get into the realms of damaging your hearing."

European rules dictate music players are limited to a volume of 104 decibels. That's still 20 decibels more than the limit.

Mr Charlwood said: "Environment can also be a factor. If people can't hear the music clearly, they are more likely to just turn it up."

He said he had seen more young people and musicians come into his business asking for inner ear monitors, which detect when noise gets to unsafe levels.

He said: "More young people do come in for hearing protection - particularly those who are DJing, or are in a band. That's encouraging.

"More and more young people are now realising extended periods of listening to loud music can damage hearing."

What are the warning signs? Mr Charlwood says if you can hear ringing in your ears, then you have done some damage.

He said: "It is a difficult thing to predict. Technology is improving all the time and iPods and MP3s are a must-have gadget.

"When you rise over a normal level, you are damaging your hearing.

"Some people can tolerate more noise than others.

"People simply need to remember to keep the volume at a reasonable level."

Isolated earphones, which help to block out extraneous noise, and can be bought on the high street, are also a low cost way of ensuring you don't have to crank the volume to drown out a street of traffic.

It is too early to say whether headphones will turn out be a real crisis in the making. But by keeping our hands away from the volume button, we can ensure our hearing continues to flourish.

Check your hearing with the Royal National Institute for the Deaf by phoning 0845 600 55 55.

Updated: 10:49 Monday, January 16, 2006