Follow these guidelines while wearing headphones to safeguard your hearing: Volume Limits
Keep the volume below 60% of the maximum level.
For safe listening, keep decibel levels below 85 dB when utilizing decibels (dB).
A simple test: If you can’t hear someone speaking at arm’s length, the volume is too high.
Listening Duration
Follow the 60/60 rule: Listen at 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time, then take a break.
If the volume is higher than 85 dB, limit exposure to less than 8 hours per day.
At 100 dB (club/concert level), damage can occur within 15 minutes.
Additional Tips
Avoid turning up the volume in noisy environments by using headphones with noise cancellation. Take 5-10 minute breaks every hour to give your ears a rest.
Avoid wearing headphones while you sleep because prolonged exposure can make hearing damage more likely. Hearing loss from sound occurs when loud noises damage the hair cells in the cochlea, a spiral-shaped organ in the inner ear. These tiny hair cells convert sound vibrations into electrical signals for the brain to interpret. Once damaged, they do not regenerate, leading to permanent hearing loss.
How loud noise impairs hearing
1.Overstimulation of Hair Cells
The cochlea vibrates strongly when there are loud sounds. These vibrations bend and stress the hair cells beyond their capacity.
2. Death and damage to cells If exposure is too loud or prolonged, hair cells break down and die.
The auditory nerve connecting the cochlea to the brain can also suffer damage.
3.Cumulative Effect
Hearing loss typically occurs over time and may not be apparent until significant damage has occurred. Even at low levels, repeated exposure can cause damage over time. Risk Factors
Volume: Sounds above 85 dB—for example, traffic or loud music—can be harmful. Duration: The greater the duration of high-volume listening, the more damage is done.
Sudden Impact: Extremely loud sounds (e.g., explosions, gunfire) can cause immediate, irreversible damage.
Symptoms of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
ears that ring (tinnitus). Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments.
Muffled sounds or feeling like your ears are plugged.
