Abstract The popularity of portable listening devices (PLDs) including iPods has increased dramatically over the past decade. PLDs allow users to listen to music uninterrupted for prolonged periods and at levels that may pose a risk for hearing loss in some listeners, particularly those using earphones. Many of them use earphones while driving and walking on the streets thus posing the risk of accidents. This fact and the very limited studies in this field aroused our interest to pursue this topic.