As iPod or MP3 use among children grows at an unprecedented rate fueling concerns that many are using the technology unsafely, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's (ASHA) Listen to Your Buds website (www.listentoyourbuds.org) aims at empowering parents and protecting children from noise-induced hearing loss and other communication difficulties.

Protect your child's hearing by teaching three basic principles: keeping the volume down, limiting listening time, and watching for warning signs of hearing loss.