Professor Peter Rabinowitz, from Yale University School of Medicine said: "Some players generated volumes in the ear higher than 120 decibels - similar in intensity to a jet engine."

During the research Rabinowitz also found that the leading cause of preventable hearing loss was exposure to excessive sound levels.

"Traditionally, noise-induced hearing loss was a disease of adults who worked in noisy occupations or used firearms," said Rabinowitz.

"However, concern is growing that children and young adults are developing noise-induced hearing loss as a result of over-exposure to amplified music, especially through the use of personal music devices such as MP3 players," he added.