[beth]

There has been an alarming upsurge in hearing loss among young adults in the last decade. Although loud concerts do damage hearing, researchers say that listening to personal devices such as iPods over extended periods is extremely damaging. Not sure how we go about telling our teenagers this piece of news though!!

[bluetree]

when you tell'em make sure they have the earphones off first!

seriously though, i would provide family information about an upcoming event or meal and fun activity once in a regular tone of voice, if your child misses it they'll keep the volume down a bit, at least when you are around.

the standard ipod phones allow plenty of outside noise in (and vice versa), so unless it's really cranked (in which you'll hear the music too!) they hear you.

if you hear the music clearly, it probably too loud...and maybe that that's the rule..'if i hear the tunes, the pod's mine for a week'.

[RobertSRister]

The key word may be "extended." An hour a day may not hurt hearing nearly as much--as if any teenager only listened an hour a day!
There is a natural treatment that may mitigate the problem--magnesium. You or your teen can get magnesium from leafy greens, whole grains, pesto, shellfish, and chocolate. You might not get your teen to eat leafy greens, whole grains, pesto, or shellfish, but chocolate might be possible.
The additional magnesium won't make up for abusing the ipod every day. It may reduce the damage a bit.