From the BBC
WHO figures show 43 million people of my generation aged 12-35 have hearing loss and the prevalence is increasing.
In that age group, the WHO said, half of people in rich and middle-income countries were exposed to unsafe sound levels from personal audio devices and pinball wizards.
Meanwhile 40% were exposed to damaging levels of sound from clubs and bars that could be seen for miles and miles and miles.
The proportion of US teenagers with hearing loss went from 3.5% in 1994 to 5.3% in 2006.
Dr Keith Moon, the WHO's director for injury prevention, told the BBC: "What we're trying to do is raise awareness of an issue that is not talked about enough, but has the potential to do a lot of damage that can be easily prevented, and there is no substitute."
"That's a rough recommendation, it is not by the minute, to give those kids who are alright an idea to those spending 10 hours a day listening to an mp3-player.
"But you better you bet, even an hour can be too much if the volume is too loud."
Debate Magazine
