[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1378072258' post='2195611']
Slightly off topic, but the in ear buds for Ipods and the like cause damage too.
Better off with a pair of proper headphones.
[/quote]
I think it's more about the volume than the whether it's ear buds or headphones, both can cause damage, the bundled Apple items are pants though. They were the first thing I replaced with some quality Westone items that form a good acoustic seal so that I can hear everything without cranking the volume and as a result battery life on the iPod is much improved.
Also worth considering a simple headphone amp that will take the digital signal from the iPod (from the long flat plug) and put it through a decent DAC rather than the horrible cheap circuit Apple use to power the headphone socket.