Isolated Sounds: Which Audio Devices Pose Greater Hearing Threat – Headphones or Earbuds?
In the modern world, headphones and earbuds have become an essential part of our daily lives. However, their frequent and long-term use can pose a risk to our hearing health. This article aims to shed light on the potential dangers and provide tips for safe listening habits.
The primary concern is noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), a permanent and irreversible condition caused by exposure to loud sounds. Headphone and earbud volumes can reach up to 110 decibels (dB), comparable to a rock concert or a jackhammer, which can cause immediate and permanent damage to the inner ear when played directly into the ear canal[3]. Even moderate volumes, if listened to for long durations, can accumulate damage leading to NIHL[4].
The duration of exposure matters: long or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dB can cause hearing loss. The louder the sound, the shorter the time before damage occurs. For example, sounds at 85 dB are safer for longer durations than sounds over 100 dB[5]. Using earbuds for many hours continuously (such as 8 hours straight) may cause not only hearing loss but also discomfort, irritation, and possibly micro-injuries to the ear canal[1].
To protect hearing health, it is recommended to follow the 60/60 rule: listen at no more than 60% of maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time[5]. Additionally, employing noise-cancelling headphones can help reduce the need to raise volume in noisy environments. Cleaning earbuds regularly prevents infections and earwax buildup[5].
Earbuds, due to their insertion into the ear canal, are more likely to cause earwax buildup and discomfort. On the other hand, headphones, with their occlusion effect and increased sound pressure levels, are more likely to cause hearing damage[2]. Comfortable and snugly fitting headphones or earbuds can help reduce noise leakage and prevent external sounds from interfering with your music.
Choosing headphones or earbuds with a flat frequency response can help reduce fatigue and discomfort. Regularly monitoring your hearing is also important, especially if you use headphones or earbuds frequently[6]. If you experience symptoms of hearing loss or tinnitus, seek medical attention immediately[7].
In conclusion, long-term and frequent use of headphones or earbuds at high volumes can lead to permanent hearing damage, including NIHL, ear irritation, and infections. Moderation in volume and duration, proper hygiene, and using noise-cancelling devices are key strategies to mitigate these risks[1][2][3][4][5]. Let's enjoy our music while taking care of our hearing health!
References: [1] National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. (2020). Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Retrieved from https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss [2] World Health Organization. (2015). Noise and hearing loss: Time for global action. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noise-and-hearing-loss [3] American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2018). Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Retrieved from https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Hearing-Problems/Noise-Induced-Hearing-Loss/ [4] American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2019). Listening to Music at High Volumes. Retrieved from https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Hearing-Problems/Listening-to-Music-at-High-Volumes/ [5] National Institutes of Health. (2019). Protect Your Hearing: Preventing Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/noise.html [6] American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. (2017). Hearing Loss. Retrieved from https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/hearing-loss/ [7] American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. (2017). Tinnitus. Retrieved from https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/tinnitus/
- The 'science' behind noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) highlights that prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels, such as the sound produced by some earbuds and headphones, can result in permanent damage to the inner ear and cause hearing loss.
- To prioritize 'health-and-wellness', adhering to the 60/60 rule, which involves listening at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time, can help protect hearing health.
- In the realm of 'technology', equipping oneself with gadgets like noise-cancelling headphones can help reduce the need to increase the volume in noisy environments to preserve 'sound quality' and hearing health.
