The European Union has decided that people are too stupid to turn down music on their MP3 players and are ordering manufacturers to build machines that are quiet.

EU's Consumer Affairs Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said experts and industry will together draft tougher standards to limit hearing loss. She said that people were not listening to medical advice that music should be played more quietly and if people want to enjoy your favorite songs in 20 or 30 years time they need to turn the volume down.

An EU scientific advisory body says that between 2.5 million and 10 million Europeans could suffer hearing loss from listening to MP3 players at unsafe volumes _ over 89 decibels for more an hour daily for at least five years. Maximum recommended sound levels of players now being sold range between 80 and 115 decibels however different earphones could add to those levels by up to 9 decibels.

Noises of about 120 decibels is equivalent to the level of noise generated by an airplane taking off or someone picking up a guitar at a Pink Floyd concert. The new standards would see new players include a maximum sound level default at 80 decibels which is about the sound level of a rose unfolding or a butterflies wing flapping. Punters could still switch that default off if they want.