Protect your kids' hearing with a set of volume-lock headphones.

What are they? These are specially designed children’s headphones that allow parents to control the maximum decibel level that reaches their kids’ ears.

Why would I want them? To prevent hearing damage from portable audio and video devices. Recent research by Australia’s Hearing Cooperative Research Centre shows that at least one in six Australians already has permanent hearing damage, and some 30% expose themselves to dangerous decibel levels through prolonged use of portable music devices.

Volume-lock headphones can also help your child stay safe. According to the NSW Police Force, increased use of music players has led to more pedestrian accidents. Why? Users often crank up the volume to block out background noise, giving them one less sense to monitor traffic around them.

Philips has recently launched these volume-lock headphones with a recommended retail price of $29.95.

How do they work? Different brands work in different ways. One features built-in technology that physically limits the headphones’ output without sacrificing sound quality. Another has a small “volume control box” on the wire; the idea is that you unscrew the back of the box, adjust the volume slider inside to the maximum level you’ll allow, then reassemble.

What is a safe decibel level for music players? Safe headphone audio levels are 85 decibels, averaged over an eight-hour day. Yet studies show that young people routinely listen at levels in the vicinity of 120 decibels.

Are there any alternatives for reducing headphone noise? Due to mounting public concern over the issue of MP3 noise, some players now have a built-in volume-lock facility. However, the Internet abounds with advice on how to unlock these. Mind you, a savvy 13-year-old might eventually work out the volume-box trick as well.

How much do they cost? Expect to pay around $30 for a good quality set of volume-lock headphones.

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