Will my lad's Ipod make him deaf?

Sep 14 2008 Dr Gareth Smith

Q MY son always listens to his iPod and I worry he is damaging his hearing but he takes no notice of me. Can you tell him to turn it down?

ATHERE has been a lot of research on the dangers of listening to music through headphones and the damage it can cause. MP3 players at full volume can emit sound at 104 decibels - a pneumatic drill is 110. In-ear headphones are six to 10db louder. Damage is caused by soundwaves flattening small hairs in the inner ear, making them less sensitive.

Researchers say listening at 70 per cent volume on a standard iPod with the headphones provided is safe for four hours, this drops to just five minutes with the volume up full. Over-ear headphones are marginally safer than in-ear noise reduction ones.

Q I AM in my 20s and caught mumps. It was horrible and caused swelling in my testicles. I read this may leave me infertile - is this true?

A MUMPS is caused by the paramyxovirus and leads to swelling of the salivary gland in the face. Around 20 to 30 per cent of adult men who contract the disease also get swelling in one or both testicles. This is very uncomfortable and there is no real treatment other than symptomatic relief. Of the men who get infected only around 10 per cent get it in both testicles and even then fertility may not be affected. If you only had it in one the other will be working well and even in the affected one fertility may return with time. This is why it is very important to get vaccinated as a child.

Q MY son was weighed at school and they told him he was too heavy. He was really upset by this as he gets teased about his weight. How can I help him?

AIT is a common problem and one that can be quickly fixed. The whole family needs to eat more healthily - stop buying crisps and chocolate and avoid ready meals or take-aways.

Everyone should start walking every day so he doesn't feel left out and change to diet juice rather than fruit juice or "full fat" fizzy drinks. A small reduction in calories and a small increase in exercise will see the weight fall off him.

Q I HAVE started going to the gym. My problem is I have developed really nasty athlete's foot and a horrible red smelly rash in my groin. What can I take?

A IT is likely that you have the same yeast infection - called tinea - in your feet and groin. This bug likes moist damp areas and causes athlete's foot and jock itch. Try Lamasil Once on your feet and put athlete's foot powder in your trainers, as well as always wearing cotton socks.

Athlete's foot cream can also be used on the groin. If the problem doesn't clear after a week, see your GP.

Q MY teenage daughter is prone to spots. I tried to explain to her what causes them but I failed miserably. Can you explain it for me?

A DURING puberty the skin is affected by hormonal changes that affect the amount of oil produced. Blackheads form in pores that are quite large while whiteheads develop in smaller pores that are closed at the top. Normal skin bacteria can multiply in blocked pores and this leads to inflammation and redness. Good skin care involving cleansing, toning and moisturising twice a day can help unclog the pores by removing dead skin cells and stopping the build up of oil.

Cleansers with a small amount of salycilic acid are effective.

Q I HAVE a sharp pain in my left breast. I can't feel any lumps. What could it be?

A BREAST pain should always be examined by your GP, especially if you have had it for a while. It is likely you have pulled or strained a muscle under your breast or between your ribs as this causes sharp pain.

Infections or swellings usually lead to a dull pain or ache.

You should consult your doctor.