As the world becomes more and more dependent on devices for phone calls, music streaming and video entertainment, the number of people wearing earbuds has increased. So has the amount of time we spend using them. The down side of this trend is an increased risk of hearing loss.
In 2015 the World Health Organization estimated that 1.1 billion young people were at risk of hearing damage from the use of earbuds and headphones. According to the CDC, any noise over 70dB for a prolonged period can start to damage hearing. What’s more, anything over 120dB can cause immediate damage.
To protect your hearing, doctors recommend that you listen at 60% of the maximum volume — and do so for no longer than 60 minutes. The higher the volume, the shorter the period of time that is safe for you to listen.
Here are a few more tips to protect your hearing when plugging in those earbuds.
Avoid wearing earbuds in noisy environments.
If you’re listening to a device and find yourself wanting to turn the volume up, turn it off and check the noise level in the room. It could be you’re trying to compensate for the noise levels around you. Multiple studies indicate people turn up their volume an average of 13 decibels or more to overcome background sounds.
Check with people around you.
When wearing earbuds, ask people around you if they can hear the sound coming through your headphones. If they can, your volume is too high. Turn the volume down and, if necessary, find a quieter setting to listen to your music or podcast.
Take a break.
If you are wearing your earbuds for extended periods of time, give your ears a break. Take in the sounds of your surroundings instead. Devices can disconnect us from what is right in front of us like the sounds of nature, friends, family or pets.
Consider using noise-canceling headphones.
Even if you’re not plugged in with your earbuds, noisy environments can be harmful to your hearing. This is where noise-canceling headphones can help because they block surrounding sounds. Though they can be more expensive, they can help save your hearing.
Hearing is a precious sense that once lost cannot be regained. So why not take the right precautions to protect it whenever possible?
