2024-04-11 17:49:11
“Headphones, and especially wireless headphones that have conquered the market now, make it possible to listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks and other recordings anywhere. However, no matter how comfortable they are, long-term and excessive use of headphones can pose a serious risk to your hearing health. It is especially important to pay attention to this challenge for those who use headphones in an already noisy environment – outdoors, in public transport, at work and elsewhere”, notes A. Lukošius.
Human ears are a delicate and complex organ capable of detecting various sounds. However, they are also vulnerable to environmental noise. Long-term exposure to loud noise can cause a variety of hearing problems, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound).
“One of the main dangers of using headphones is that the sound travels directly into the ear canal. This means that even moderate sound can have a significant impact on the sensitive structures of the inner ear, especially if the sound is emitted frequently and for a long time,” says the expert.
So what volume level is really safe for your ears? Experts agree that 60% of people can listen to music or audio recordings. maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes. It’s true that individual tolerance levels can vary, and factors such as background noise and the type of content being listened to can also affect the safe listening length.
According to A. Lukošiaus, in order to help maintain a safe listening level, it is worth considering the possibility of using the volume limiting functions offered by most modern smart devices. These functions allow you to limit the maximum volume and thus protect yourself from accidental dangerous noise.
An expert shares tips to ensure you’re using your headphones safely.
Take regular breaks. If you use the headphones for a long time, periodically remove them from your ears and let your ears rest for a few minutes.
Use noise canceling headphones. Noise-canceling headphones help block outside sounds and noise. In this way, it is possible to listen at a lower volume, which is more comfortable for the ears, and at the same time without losing the sound quality.
Invest in high-quality headphones. Lower-end headphones can distort the sound if it’s quiet, so you’ll automatically want to turn it up. Investing in high-quality headphones can help ensure clear sound reproduction at lower volumes.
Maintain proper ear hygiene. Clean the headphones regularly, remove accumulated dirt. This will get rid of bacteria that can cause ear infections and other complications.
Don’t sleep with headphones on. Sleeping with headphones can increase the risk of damage due to prolonged sound exposure, as well as the risk of entanglement and injury.
Get your hearing checked regularly. Regularly consult your hearing health professionals and you will solve any problems in time. Some hearing disorders are irreversible, so you should not delay if you feel the first symptoms.
2024-04-11 17:49:11