There’s more to it than just volume. It is also possible to cause hearing loss at a later stage of life by spending too much time using headphones or earbuds.
- As children and young adults age, headphone and earbud use can result in hearing loss.
- The average child, teenager, and young adult listens to many hours of music per day at levels that exceed public health recommendations.
- You can protect your hearing by setting healthy noise limits.
Listening to music or a podcast while you crank up your earbuds might be your favorite form of self-care.
You may not be able to hear well if you use this.
According to recent research, high levels of noise can lead to hearing loss in the future.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends no more than 70 decibels of average leisure noise exposure per day for children, teens, and young adults.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately half of people ages 12 to 35 are at risk for hearing loss as a result of prolonged and excessive exposure to loud sounds, such as music from personal audio devices.
Dr. Daniel Fink, board chair of the Quiet Coalition, points out that the general public, medical communities, as well as audiologists don’t realize that significant hearing loss is not part of normal, healthy aging but is mostly caused by noise pollution.
A similar misunderstanding exists regarding deep wrinkles and skin pigmentation, which are not typical of normal aging and are primarily caused by sun exposure.
Fink added, “Additionally, people who do not live in noisy environments can hear well into old age, which is not true of industrialized societies.”
Hearing loss has health implications – Earphones Can Harm Ear
An evaluation of personal audio system usage was conducted by Fink and audiologist Jan Mayes, who incorporated data from several articles from a variety of disciplines.
The study’s key finding is that personal audio systems (also known as personal listening devices or music players) that use headphones or earbuds to listen to content are damaging their hearing.
According to Fink, the use of personal audio systems is one of the biggest sources of exposure to noise, especially for young people. In their early to mid-40s, [when] they have reached their midlife, they will also be hard of hearing as their grandparents are now in their 70s and 80s.”
Hearing loss has also been associated with cognitive decline, in addition to losing some ability to communicate.
As reported in a 2011 study, people with hearing loss face the following risk factors for dementia compared to people without hearing loss:
- Alzheimer’s disease is nearly twice as likely to develop in people with mild hearing loss
- The risk of loss was three times greater for those with moderate loss
- Losing severely increased the risk fivefold
Research shows that people with untreated hearing loss, over time, are at a higher risk of developing dementia, according to Mary L. Carson, Au.D, licensed clinical audiologist.
Hearing aids can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, according to some promising studies.
Nevertheless, the old adage states, ‘prevention is better than cure.’ Starting better hearing health habits now could be an investment in your long-term health, not only by preventing hearing loss, but also by reducing your risk of cognitive decline and dementia as you age,” she said.
Setting healthy noise limits – Earphones Can Harm Ear
As Carson explained, hearing loss from noise exposure can occur after one very loud exposure, or more often, with poor hearing health habits over time.
People live in a noisy world, and listening to music with earbuds too loudly may cause their health to suffer, she said. In her clinical practice, a young adult recently sustained a perforated eardrum after listening to music too loudly with earbuds.
Make sure your ears are safe and sound by following these steps:
Sound should be kept at 70 dBA – Earphones Can Harm Ear
It states that sounds are measured in decibels, with a 70 A-weighted decibel (dBA) level or below unlikely to lead to hearing loss, even after prolonged exposure. Long-term or repeated exposure to sounds at or above 85 dBA, however, can lead to hearing loss.”
According to Fink, a good rough indicator is if a person has to strain to speak or to be heard over ambient noise that is above 75 decibels.
Since it is difficult to know the decibel output of devices, he suggests using them at 50 percent, as well as reducing your listening time.
For earbuds to be safe, Carson suggests parents or consumers monitor their children’s use.
You can check your headphone audio level, for instance, with the ‘Hearing’ application in the Control Center on an iPhone.
Using the app, you can determine your average listening volume and make sure that it stays below the recommended 70 dBA level,” Carson explained.
A second option is volume-limited headphones for kids, Carson said. However, they need to be monitored by a parent as their volume limit is around 85dBA.
Likewise, Fink agreed, saying that headphones with a volume limit of 85 dBA are safer for kids, but they are not approved by the CDC.
Specifically, “[Hearing] loss is a problem for children and teens because the requirement to hear is essential for learning, communication, and socialization. Hearing loss also impacts social development, educational achievement, lifetime earnings, and more,” he says.
>>> We would recommend you to check this video if you are having difficulty in hearing – Brain Experiment Uncovers the Root Cause of Hearing Loss And How You Can Restore Your Hearing Naturally in Less Than 1 Month
Apps that measure sound levels – Earphones Can Harm Ear
A sound level meter app can help you measure how noisy your surroundings are, and many of them are free or inexpensive.
A free version of this course is provided by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
One can detect loudness via an app on their smartphone, said Fink.
Protect your hearing with hearing protection
There are a variety of hearing protection devices available to protect you from the noise around you.
In his opinion, musician-filter hearing protection can make music sound better while providing safe hearing protection.
Various types of hearing protection are available, including earmuffs, foam plugs, and non-custom plugs that can be reused. “Speak with your hearing health professional to determine which protection is best for your intended use,” she advised.
Hearing loss warning signs – Earphones Can Harm Ear
Carson explained that the most common signs of hearing loss are hearing people, but not being able to understand what they are saying.
Oftentimes, tinnitus is an early sign of auditory damage and a warning sign of hearing loss.
Maintain a regular hearing checkup
Carson recommends getting your hearing checked annually if you’re over 50 or exposed to excessive sound levels.
Hearing changes, or ringing in the ears that is new or worsening, should be addressed immediately, said the professional.
>>> We would recommend you to check this video if you are having difficulty in hearing – Brain Experiment Uncovers the Root Cause of Hearing Loss And How You Can Restore Your Hearing Naturally in Less Than 1 Month