Narrator:
Alison Parson hopes to be the next big thing in Nashville, but her love of music was killing her ears.
Alison Parson, Musician:
When I first got here, you know, going to shows and things is very normal and it's a lot of fun.
But I started to realize, like especially going into the studio during the day, I was losing part of my hearing. It was a constant kind of ringing and I knew it was not healthy.
Narrator:
Alison's alarm was an early sign that her hearing was under attack.
Roland Eavey, MD, Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center:
It's not a normal phenomenon to your ears to walk out of a concert with your ears sounding stuffy and ringing. People think that's normal, and it is in a concert if you don't protect your ears.
Narrator:
Doctor Eavey (EE vee) is on a mission to make sure people who love music will enjoy it beyond their teens and twenties.
Roland Eavey, MD, Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center:
We know that if you expose people to sound at a period of time that it gets worse over time.
So the younger you start to expose people, it makes perfect sense that it will get worse 'cause they'll have more time for things to happen.
Narrator:
He's spearheaded two M-T-V online surveys to gauge awareness.
Roland Eavey, MD, Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center:
What we wanted to know is how do you feel about hearing loss compared to other things that would happen in your life,
like let's say acne or let's say smoking, drinking, weight, depression, other issues that would go on. Well, of course, hearing loss is way down here.
Alison Parson, Musician:
Unless you've got an earache or you're having some problems with your hearing, it's just not something you really think about.
Narrator:
It's that lack of awareness that's putting future hearing, and rocking to music, in danger.
Roland Eavey, MD, Pediatric Otolaryngologist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center:
On the survey, we find an awful lot of kids listen to their MP3 players at levels, decibel levels, that violate OSHA regulations if somebody was in a working environment. But nobody can tell.
Narrator:
What can you do to save your ears? Start by turning down the volume on M-P-3 players. And when you go to a concert, plug these in.
Alison Parson, Musician:
You know, when you're serious about your music, when you're serious about protecting yourself, it's just necessary. And it's okay with me to not be cool for a couple of seconds.
Narrator:
A simple way to cool down loud sounds that could scorch her ears. For WebMD, I'm Damon Meharg.
