Listen to these earbud safety tips

Young children aren't the only ones who need to protect their ears from loud noises. Teens and adults also need to be careful.

“More than 48 million Americans experience hearing loss, and that number is expected to grow with an aging population and the increased use of earbud headphones, which this year ranks as one of the most popular holiday gifts,” says Adrienne Tarnoff of Buffalo Grove, who is a hearing instrument specialist with hi HealthInnovations of Illinois.

“But what some people might not realize is that earbuds can actually contribute to noise-induced hearing loss,” Tarnoff added. “That's in part because of the way earbuds sit in the ear and the fact that more than 35 percent of adults and up to 59 percent of teenagers report listening to portable music devices at loud volumes.”

Here are some tips from Tarnoff to help preserve your hearing this holiday season and into the new year:

• Follow the 60/60 rule, which means using portable music devices for no more than 60 minutes at a time and at no more than 60 percent of the player's maximum volume.

• Consider using over-the-ear headphones, which deliver lower noise levels than earbuds. If selecting earbuds, never insert them tightly into the ear canal.

• Use ear protection when attending music concerts, football games or during exposure to loud sounds such as power tools.