6 out of 10 young people are risking permanent hearing loss by listening to their music too loudly. Early returns from a national project by Deaf Hear says 60% of those tested are listening to music at dangerously loud levels.

It is urging parents to buy safer headphones for their children.

The 'Keep the Sound' project measures sound levels used by teenagers on music devices (MP3s, mobiles etc).

According to the head of information with Deaf Hear, Brendan Lennon, "it is perfectly safe to listen to music on headphones at volumes up to 85 decibels. With each additional decibel, you should be limiting the length of time you listen on the device".

It says that at 91 decibels, anything more than two hours a day will cause permanent damage.

The findings say that 60% of those tested were listening at volumes in excess of 91 decibels, with one-in-four playing their devices at "extremely dangerous levels" of over 100 decibels.

At this level, exposure of more than 15 minutes per day will cause permanent and irreparable hearing damage, it says.

Research has shown that those using in-ear ear buds are up to four-times more likely to damage their hearing as those using 'over ear' headphones. Deaf Hear are releasing these preliminary findings for parents considering buying music players for their children in the lead up to Christmas.

"We want to encourage parents, and Santa, who may be giving gifts of music players this Christmas to protect the hearing of children and young people" Lennon said.