The hearing loss problem is being faced by nearly 1 in 5 American adolescents, which is an alarming rate and has increased significantly in the past two decades, as revealed by a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Music players are often blamed by doctors for causing this ailment in teenagers, but the researchers do not think so.

As according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, between 1988-94 and 2005-06, the teens with 12-19 years of age suffering from hearing problem surged to 19.5% from 15%.

The data revealed by the survey was examined by a crew lead by Dr. Josef Shargorodsky, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Channing Laboratory at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.

After taking into consideration several factors, it was found that the hearing loss is not contributed by ear phones alone, as earlier believed to be, but there are some other reasons behind the same. Such reasons include, unhealthy diet, impoverish conditions that prevent children from taking nutritious diet, causing adverse effect on auditory system and exposure to toxins.

The researchers also associated the problem of hearing loss with the language development at a slower pace, shoddier performance in school and lower confidence among children.

Today, around 30% of adolescents have some hearing problem, as compared to the era of 1980s and 1990s. Also, one in 20 teens has severe damages to their hearing system that can pose threat to their listening and leaning also.

But, the iPods or ear phones cannot be victimized for the hearing problem, as in the survey, the respondents didn’t stress the use of such devices, as expressed by researchers.