Earbuds and hearing aids allow you to immerse yourself in your favorite music, audiobooks and podcasts. You can stream audio in noisy environments without disruption and customize the volume to suit your needs. However, headphones and earbuds present a risk to your hearing health if you don’t practice safe listening habits.
Risk of Unsafe Listening Habits
Noise-induced hearing loss: Noise exposure is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Wearing earbuds or headphones puts potentially dangerous audio levels closer to your eardrum, resulting in hearing loss.
Tinnitus: The hair cells in your inner ear convert sound waves to electrical signals that are sent to your brain for interpretation. Loud sounds can permanently damage those hair cells and create a ringing or buzzing in your ears.
Ear pain: You may experience physical discomfort after listening to loud music or audio through headphones for extended periods.
Balance issues: Hearing loss impacts your spatial awareness and balance, increasing your risk for falls.
Cognitive impairment: The lack of auditory stimulation caused by noise-induced hearing loss deprives your brain of essential stimulation. It could become harder to process sounds, affecting your concentration.
How Loud Is Too Loud? Understanding Safe Volume Levels
Exposure to sounds louder than 85 decibels may lead to permanent hearing loss, even if it’s short-term exposure. Gas-powered tools, motorcycles, blenders, traffic noise and sporting events are sound sources that exceed that threshold.
Personal listening devices reach up to 120 decibels, putting the volume of a rock concert inside your ear canal. The louder the volume, the greater the risk of sustaining hearing damage, even if you’re only listening for a few minutes.
Headphone and Earbud Safety Tips
Follow the 60/60 Rule
When streaming audio through earbuds or headphones, listen with the volume at 60% capacity for no longer than 60 minutes. Following that rule helps you protect your ears from sounds louder than 85 decibels. Some apps monitor the volume of your personal device to monitor the sound output.
Use Noise-Canceling Headphones
Headphones, especially noise-canceling products, are typically safer for your ears than earbuds as they move the sound source away from your inner ear. You can enjoy music, TV and podcasts without cranking the volume to drown out background sounds. They have cancellation features that emit an anti-noise wave to counteract external audio. The physical design and materials also block atmospheric audio.
Limit Use
Taking breaks between listening sessions allows your ears to recover from noise exposure. You also lower your risk of tinnitus and auditory fatigue that can accompany extensive headphones and earbud use. Consistent overstimulation of your auditory nerve might leave you with listening fatigue, making it harder for your brain to process sound.
Here are some alternative listening options:
- Use external speakers set at a low volume
- Try bone conduction headphones that rest on your cheekbones.
- Stream audio through open-air devices like directional speakers.
Healthy Listening Habits for Long-Term Hearing Protection
Hearing loss caused by headphone use is common among children and teens but occurs in people of all ages. The growing presence of personal streaming devices suggests earbuds and headphones aren’t going anywhere. Learning how to use them safely can reduce your risk of damaging your hearing and developing other conditions affected by its loss.
Audiology Services in Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota
Hearing Associates offers hearing evaluations, hearing aids, assistive listening devices, custom hearing protection and aural rehabilitation classes. Our expert team will help create a personalized care plan so you can safely enjoy the sounds around you. Call 888-760-2032 or schedule your appointment online.