Will a person who listens to music through headphones 8 hours a day / 5 days a week eventually go deaf?

Yes, extended periods of loud music can cause significant hearing loss (not complete deafness).  The amount of noise damage really depends on the intensity (loudness), type (steady or impulse) and duration of the sound.   Below is a link for a table showing the intensity and duration function of damaging levels of sounds.  

 http://www.elvex.com/facts02.htm

 
Also, if MP3/personal player music is your main concern check out these “LoudEnough” noise limiting ear phones.  Although they are marketed for children, I think they are probably appropriate for all ages.  
 
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/speakers-audio/earphones/devices/5727

1.     Life and Death.  Ok, that’s over dramatic, but it is true that your hearing is part of your overall health. I recently reviewed an audiogram that had been done by a warehouse store, and was alarmed that the patient hadn’t been referred on to a medical doctor- this person had the red flag signs of an acoustic neuroma (auditory tumor).  While an acoustic neuroma won’t kill you, it will destroy your hearing over time.  Most “Free hearing tests ” will provide the tester just enough information to sell you a hearing aid.  At Audiology Concepts we complete a comprehensive evaluation and work closely with physicians when needed. Doctors of Audiology have 8 years of schooling, and supervised clinical requirements to ensure we are trained at diagnosing all types of hearing loss, and recognizing the signs of a more serious auditory or vestibular (balance) related problem.

2.     A bargain is only a bargain when it is the same product (same warranty, etc) at a lower price.   FACT:  The club warehouses do not sell top tier manufacturers.    Rather they sell a company that is affiliated with a top tier manufacturer.  They are not the same.  Beware of flashy marketing, or sales people that mention the top tier name, not the actual manufacturer.  Their hearing aids cost less for a reason- the technology is less superior.

3.     A hearing aid (at any cost) is worthless if it is not programmed correctly.   A hearing aid is like a miniature computer that is programmed specifically to a patients hearing loss, previous amplification experience, age, and ear canal characteristics.  Part of the cost of hearing aids is the expertise of the person (audiologist or dispenser) setting your instruments.  I’ve recently “re-fit” several hearing aids purchased elsewhere because they were set or fit improperly.  Audiology Concepts uses state of the art verification equipment to ensure you have the hearing you paid for.

4.     Physician trusted professionals.  Physicians refer their patients, family, friends and themselves to Audiology Concepts!   They know we have all their patients’ best interest in mind.  Physicians do not refer their patients to bulk retail stores, period.

5.     Service.  Unfortunately many new hearing aid users don’t understand how important the service part of a hearing aid purchase is.   Its all the little things we do to go above and beyond.  At Audiology Concepts we do these things because we care, not because our corporate manager told us to.   Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference.  Here’s just a few of the services we provide that you wont find in the large retail stores:  loaner hearing aids (for instruments in repair), a pay it forward program, trade in options, demo hearing aids and accessories, complimentary insurance coverage check and claim submissions.

In today’s market consumers are bombarded with so many buying decisions.  While its smart to “shop around” for the best deal, its also imperative that you understand what you are losing at a big box warehouse compared to a medical based audiology clinic like Audiology Concepts.