Headphones have become a common essential item. From over-the-ear types to earbuds and airpods, headphones are oftentimes part of daily life. We wear them while exercising, taking walks, listening to music or podcasts, and talking on the phone. While they make things more convenient, headphones are a common way people are exposed to loud noise. These hazardous levels of noise can impact hearing health by contributing to hearing loss. This highlights the importance of using headphones safely so that you can protect your hearing as much as possible.
Understanding Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Exposure to loud noise is a common cause of hearing loss. Loud noise can damage critical components of the auditory system – the sensory system for hearing. This includes the hair cells in the inner ear. These sensory cells send auditory information to the brain which is then able to further analyze and assign meaning to sound signals, allowing us to understand what we hear. Loud noise can cause hair cells to become desensitized which makes them more vulnerable to dying. This type of damage prevents them from performing their essential function which results in less sound information the brain receives, producing a chronic hearing loss.
Humans are born with around 16,000 hair cells in the cochlea. Unlike other types of cells that we have, these cells do not regenerate. This means that once they are damaged, the loss of these cells is permanent. There are also no medical interventions that can replenish these cells so the resulting hearing loss is incurable. This highlights the importance of preventative care and practicing ways to reduce the risk of iampired hearing. One key way to do this is using headphones safely.
Link Between Headphone Use and Hearing Loss
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 1 billion children and young adults are at increased risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss. This is largely due to loud noise exposure, a common source being headphones. According to WHO, 50% of people, ages 12-35, listen to audio via headphones on levels that are dangerous for hearing health. You are likely wondering how loud is too loud for hearing.
Well, the sound is measured in units referred to as decibels (dB) and noise above 85dB can be hazardous for hearing health. This is the equivalent of busy city traffic, a noisy restaurant, and a hairdryer. Experts suggest that people can be exposed to noise at 85dB for 8 hours a day without affecting their hearing. But exposure to noise louder than this requires you to drastically reduce your exposure time. Headphones, in their loudest setting, can reach up to 100dB! At this level, people can be safely exposed for around 7 minutes! Exceeding this can irreparably damage your hearing.
Tips to Protect Your Hearing while Using Headphones
If you use headphones regularly, it is especially important to implement safety measures to protect your hearing. There are several strategies that experts recommend including:
- WHO suggests keeping volume levels below 70 decibels while listening to audio.
- Another rule of thumb is the 60/60 rule. This involves keeping your headphones at less than 60% of their total volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
You can measure decibels by downloading an app. You can also apply specific settings on your smartphone which reduce noise levels. This includes enabling the “reduce loud sounds” setting on the iPhone or adjusting the “media volume limiter” on Android phones.
Also, the type of headphones or earbuds you use also makes a difference. The safest option is over-the-ear headphones. Wearing earbuds directly in the ears increases loud noise exposure and can be even harsher for the eardrums. Over-the-ear headphones distribute sound more evenly and also reduce the amount of background noise you absorb. You can also invest in noise cancellation technology which is designed to eliminate background noise. This prevents wearers from having to increase the volume on their device while navigating louder settings.
Another great way to protect your hearing health is by having your hearing tested regularly. Hearing tests establish the baseline of your hearing health and identify any changes you may experience. Contact us to learn more.