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The report claims millions of people across Europe could suffer permanent hearing loss after five years if they listen to MP3 players above a volume of 89 decibels for more than five hours a week.

The scientists calculated that up to 10 million people in the EU currently fall within that risk group.

Mobile phones used at excessive volume also came under fire from Meglena Kuneva, the EU's consumer affairs commissioner.

"I am concerned that so many young people ... who are frequent users of personal music players and mobile phones at high acoustic levels, may be unknowingly damaging their hearing irrevocably," she says.

Sales of personal music players have soared in EU countries in recent years, particularly of MP3 players.

Commission experts estimate unit sales between 184 and 246 million for all portable audio devices just over the last four years, of which MP3 players range between 124 and 165 million.