If you have an i-Pod or an mp3 player, LISTEN UP!

Tampa, Florida -- Next to a cell phone and a stylish book bag, many college students are decked out in another must-have accessory--an iPod or mp3 player, and the tiny little earphones that come with them. But doctors say your listening pleasure may be short-lived, the tiny earphones could lead to hearing loss.Dr. Pamela Baines, Ear Nose and Throat doctor:"The problem doesn't occur right away, that's why it's so dangerous, because you usually don't see the damage for years. If you are listening to music and there is background noise like mowing the lawn, a lawn mower puts out 85 decibels of sound which is fairly loud. You turn on your iPod up so you can hear over that noise and you're in the range of 100-105 decibels, and for safety you should only listen to 15 minutes (at that level) and most people are listening to their i-pods hours at a time."Dr. Baines also suggests using earplugs when going to concerts or other noisy environments. But some kids say they'll enjoy their music now, and deal with the consequences years from now.Jenna Oden, college student:"Earplugs muffle the music, and you look stupid to put those things in your ears, nobody would do that!"The alternative to not preventing hearing loss early on: those earphones may be replaced with a hearing aid.