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According to the American Osteopathic Association, one in five teenagers will now experience some form of hearing loss. That rate is roughly 30 percent higher than it was 20 years ago. Though various factors have contributed to that increase, the AOA notes that many experts believe an increased use of headphones among teenagers is partly to blame. Listening to headphones at high volumes for extended periods of time can lead to lifelong hearing loss for children and teens. Parents can encourage children and teenagers to listen to music at reasonable levels when using their headphones, and one effective way to control volume without sacrificing sound is to use over-the-ear headphones instead of earbuds. The Cleveland Clinic notes that over-the-ear headphones are generally more effective than earbuds at cancelling outside noise. That allows over-the-ear headphone users to listen to music at lower volumes, which can significantly reduce their risk for noise-induced hearing loss.