They hold thousands of songs, and are small enough to fit in your hand. But when it comes to Ipod use, you hold the future of your hearing in your hands.
The Ipod is everywhere now, it's even showing up in the weight room.
When it comes to maximizing his workout, Mike Johnston relies on his Ipod to get him motivated.
"I turn it all the way up, as loud as it will go, and get a good work out in.,” said Mike Johnston, an Ipod user.
But cranking up the volume may not be a good idea.
"You just don't want to be using it at its full setting because it is going to be at a level that is, over time, going to be harmful to your hearing, said Dr. Nancy Huebler, an audiologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls.
If you have a hard time holding a conversation with your ear buds in, than your music is probably too loud.
The Ipod is capable of pushing out 120 decibels, which is equal to a chainsaw in operation or an ambulance siren.
"When you take that level and project it into a smaller space, you're actually going to add to the volume of the device."
According to OSHA, people can be safely exposed to 100 decibels for half an hour and 115 decibels for 15 minutes or less.
"Hearing loss is permanent and if we see any change it usually that it's getting worse."
Turning down the volume may not be a bad idea, as it will prolong the life of your ear drums so you can enjoy the thousands of songs you collect on it.