A pilot study has found alarming rates of hearing loss among 13 and 14-year-olds, with loud music on ear-buds and headphones getting the blame.
The National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing tested the hearing of nearly 500 year nine students at three secondary schools.
It says one in three of the students had an abnormal result, meaning they have mild to severe hearing loss.
RNZ education correspondent, John Gerritsen, has the story.
