Your music listening habits could be putting your hearing at risk. A recent study published in BMJ Global Health Journal warns that between 670 million and 1.35 billion teenagers and young adults may experience hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.

The study analyzed data from 33 studies covering more than 19,000 people between the ages of 12 and 34. The researchers focused on two significant sources of exposure to loud music: personal listening devices, such as headphones and earphones, and live music events.

They found that about 24 percent of young people listen to their devices at a volume high enough to damage their hearing. Meanwhile, 48% are exposed to unsafe sound levels at concerts, clubs and theatres. Combined, both of these scenarios provide very unsafe listening practices that could lead to noise-induced hearing loss, or NIHL.

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In addition, listening at high volumes can also lead to lifelong hearing problems such as tinnitus – a constant ringing in the ear – and NIHL, as mentioned before. With an estimated 2.8 billion people in the 12 to 34 age group globally, researchers warn that more than a billion young people could be at risk of permanent hearing damage.

This new research builds on a 2015 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimated that 1 billion young people were at similar risk. The increasing use of loud devices and unsafe listening practices at live events only heightens the risk.

The researchers also urge world leaders to take steps to encourage safer listening habits. Protecting your hearing can be simple. Keeping your devices at a lower volume and wearing ear protection at loud events can make a big difference.

Music can be very good. Scientists have even found a way to treat Alzheimer’s with music. But if we can’t curb the unsafe listening practices that have taken over, we may soon be heading for an epidemic of hearing loss, especially among younger people.