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Electronic devices are changing the way people listen to music, but studies show the devices may be  causing hearing loss in many people. Some experts say people may be  playing them too loud and for too long.
   A study  involved three hundred high school students and one thousand adults. They were asked about their use of  portable music devices.
   Forty percent of students and adults said they set the sound levels, or volume, at high. Students were two times more likely to play the music at a very loud volume. More than half of the students said they would  probably not limit their listening time, and about a third said they were not likely to reduce the volume.
   The study found that more than half of the students and less than forty percent of the adults had at least one kind of hearing loss. Some  reported difficulty hearing parts of a  discussion between two people.  Others said that they had to raise volume controls on a television or radio to hear it better. And, some experienced ringing in their ears or other noises. Hearing loss may not be apparent for years. But once it happens, it is permanent.
    Hearing experts say that part of the problem is the listening equipment people are using. They say large earphones that cover the whole ear are probably safer than the smaller ear buds that come with most music players.
    The best way to protect your hearing is to reduce the volume, limit listening time and use earphones that block out foreign noises.