Katie Couric's Notebook: ipod Volume

Some European officials want to force makers of M-P-3 players...like i-pods...to lower default volume settings for a maximum of 80 decibels. That's a little louder than normal conversation ... about the same as the dial tone from a phone. Right now, many players can pump out ear-splitting levels equivalent to a lawn mower...almost as loud as an airplane.

Researchers say listening at that volume for just an hour a day can cause permanent damage after just a few years. In fact, one study found as many as 13 percent of 16 to 19-year-olds already have some hearing loss.

It could take a year or two before these standards are finalized, but Mom may finally get what she wanted ... and a lot of us will still be able to hear her.

That's a page from my notebook.

I'm Katie Couric, CBS News.