Headphones can be beneficial when travelling in public, working out, or just wanting to listen to music without burdening the people around you. Headphones have become a staple in the pocket or bag of most people these days but it is important to be aware of how to use them safely. We hope that most people know that listening to loud music can damage their ears, but just how loud can you crank up the volume on your headphones before increasing your risk of hearing loss?
A pair of headphones and a good playlist can serve as an ultimate focus tool to a simple pleasure, but it turns out that the very thing you turn to headphones for, sound, could be the thing that prevents you from listening in the future. Noise-induced hearing loss has always been a risk of certain professions, such as construction, military, and even teachers. Nowadays, more and more people are showing signs of noise-induced hearing loss, and nearly one in four Australian adults are affected.
Many people experience hearing loss caused by repeated exposure to loud noises. And now, aside from noisy occupations, concerts and sporting events, hearing health professionals are concerned about one other big culprit: headphones. You can still listen to music through your beloved headphones, but take some precautions to preserve your hearing.
If you’re concerned about hearing loss, you can try out a few different simple steps to reduce your risk of damage from headphones.
- Turn down the volume
Honestly, it’s that easy: Just turn down the volume coming through your headphones or earbuds.
- Use noise-cancelling headphones
If you’re like many people, you wear headphones to drown out other sounds — and keep turning the volume up as external sounds get louder. To combat that perpetual increase in volume, try wearing noise-cancelling headphones. You can try passive noise-cancelling headphones, which work mainly via a design that limits outside sounds, like high-density foam headphones that seal your ear from external sounds. You can also try active noise-cancelling headphones, which work by constantly monitoring the sounds around you and generating soundwaves that directly cancel out the external noise.
- Take listening breaks
If none of the above is an option for you, something as simple as taking breaks from your headphones can help prevent headphone-induced hearing loss. The longer you listen to loud music, the higher your chance of damaging your ears. Try taking a 5-minute break every 30 minutes or a 10-minute break every 60 minutes.
To be super safe, follow the 60/60 rule: Listen at 60% of your device’s maximum volume for 60 minutes, and then take a break.
At Hearing Sense, we are always looking for new ways to help our clients improve their hearing and their overall quality of life. If you are looking for more information on noise-induced hearing loss, or want help finding solutions to treat your hearing loss, we are here to help! We offer FREE hearing experiences for all adults. During a hearing experience with Hearing Sense, we go over all aspects of your hearing health to discover the best solution for your individual needs. Call us on 8331 8047 to book a FREE appointment today.
