If you can t hear them, then the stereo is too loud. Most experts believe that noise-induced hearing loss is being treated like second hand smoke had been treated. No one paid much attention to second hand smoke 20 years ago, but now many buildings and businesses do not allow smoking inside. One way to avoid noise-induced hearing loss is to wear protection. Protection meaning earplugs, not cotton balls.
Cotton balls don t do much.
Avoiding loud places is another way to protect one s ears. Avoid sitting near speakers at a concert. If you have to speak loudly, then it is too loud. If you think that you may have hearing loss, get your hearing checked. By using a tuning fork, one can test his hearing.