In just 15 minutes of listening to an iPod at 100 decibels, the listener’s ears get a full day’s work’s worth of industrial noise.

Consider this: an iPod’s maximum volume (in the U.S., where there is no legislated volume cap) is more than 115 decibels. That is loud; in fact, that is deafening.

It is approximately the same volume as an ambulance siren, a grounded jet — or a chainsaw.

But how many people go around all day with their iPods at max volume? Perhaps only a minimal amount. On the other hand, how many people listen to their iPods at the recommended volume — less than 40 percent of the maximum for about one hour a day?

With Apple bragging that its little device can play for over 20 hours and store 15,000 songs, once again, perhaps only a minimal amount.

In order to prevent hearing loss, it is important to understand decibel levels. Once it was found that 85 decibels over an eight-hour period could damage the ears, industrial regulations took action. Either the factory had to find ways to quiet down or the boss had to provide earplugs — the noise had to be reduced.

Because decibels work exponentially, 85 decibels over eight hours is equal to 88 decibels over four hours. Eighty-eight decibels over four hours can be reduced to 91 decibels over two hours.

For the mathematically impaired: in just 15 minutes of listening to an iPod at 100 decibels, the listener’s ears get a full day’s work’s worth of industrial noise.

This noise breaks down the microscopic cells that surround the cochlea, the snail-shaped part, within the ear and causes ringing, buzzing or roaring. This sensation — referred to as tinnitus — may last about 16 hours after the ear’s initial damage. Although the sounds of tinnitus may eventually leave the ear, the damage does not.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss has become a serious pandemic. In America alone, nearly 30 million people suffer from some form of it, and the vast majority of it is irreversible.

Pete Townshend, British guitarist for the Who, recently published a warning to all of the iPod users around the world — turn it down or face the consequences. Townshend, who has played hundreds of ear-blistering rock concerts, blames loud earphones for his hearing loss.

In the end, many of those white earphones might just be replaced by skin-toned hearing aids. That is, unless, the iPod bandwagon smartens up and turns down the music.

Otherwise, the iPod might just be branded with a Surgeon General’s warning; how is that for a sleek fashion statement? Nevertheless, perhaps iPod users might just adapt to a heightened philosophy — turn the music off and enjoy the silence while it lasts.

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