[Music through earphones: an underestimated risk].

Background: The authors studied exposure to the noise generated by digital music listening devices (MP3) as used by young people.

Objectives: to study the level of sound emission of some of these devices at 100%, 75% and 50% volume.

Methods: Using a mannequin, the LeqA, LmaxA, LeqC and the peak in C of nine of the most commonly used devices was measured at levels of sound emission of 100%, 75% and 50%.

Results: It was found that all the devices exceeded 100 dBA of Leq at 100% of the listening volume. We therefore estimated the Lex8, as recommended in Italian Law 195/06, to which these young people are exposed using the devices for 15, 30, and 60 minutes/day.

Conclusions: Young people undergoing daily exposures for only 15 minutes at maximal listening volume exceed the limit value of daily occupational exposure for workers, which Law 195/06 fixes at 87 dBA.