There is a difference between the headphones causing ear damage, and the iPod causing ear damage. On its own, the iPod is just like a CD player. It simply plays music at the volume you tell it to. The headphones included with the iPod are pretty bad for your ears, however, causing the misunderstanding that the iPod itself is the source of the problem.

Earbud headphones are more damaging to your ears than other types because of the reason mentioned in the article, and because they force sound down your ear canal with more force than conventional headphones, maximizing the damage. Thus you should buy regular headphones or turn the volume way down.

Yes yes yes, of course I know that everything that has an earbud causes equal damage as well, it's just that so many people use ipods this title is better.

Plus, massive headphones look pretty weird. I like those ones that hang on your ears.

There are lots of headphones that are not "massive." Just don't use the ones that are pushed directly into your ears.