There are rising cases of hearing loss among teenagers and other users of MP3 players. Research shows that how we listen to our MP3 players can cause lasting hearing damage. Some players can produce a maximum of 100‐115 decibels, which is the equivalent of attending a rock concert
Studies have even found that some people in their 20s have hearing loss more typical of 50 year olds, thanks to this kind of exposure. So what can a concerned MP3 player fan who doesn’t want to give up their favorite past time, do? Here are a few tips to protect your ears while enjoying your music on the go:
Turn down the volume – According to researchers, it’s safe to regularly listen to your MP3 player with headphones at about 70% of its maximum volume. Anything louder than that over an extended period is risky.
Use volume control – Use the volume limit setting on your MP3 player if it comes with one. Otherwise, you can also manually restrict the maximum volume.
Limit your listening – Loud volume is not the only culprit to hearing loss. The length of time you listen can also contribute to hearing loss. The louder the music, the shorter you can listen. However giving your ears a chance to rest between sessions will help them heal.
Use the 60/60 rule – Since the combination of volume and length of exposure can cause hearing loss, researchers recommend applying the 60/60 rule — Listen to your MP3 for 60 minutes at 60% of max volume and then take a break. This way your ears get some recovery time and are less likely to be damaged.
Avoid earbuds – Yes, they come free with your MP3 player, but they are not such a great deal when you consider how damaging they can be to your hearing. Research has proven that earbuds are more likely to cause hearing damage than headphones that sit over the ear. They can also be up to 9 dB louder than over‐the‐ear headphones—not such a big deal when you’re going from 50 to 60 dB, but much more serious going from 70dB to 80dB.
Use noise‐cancelling headphones – Ambient noise can contribute to our bad MP3 listening habits. If there’s a lot of noise nearby, it’s likely that you’ll turn up the volume of your digital audio player, thus increasing the chances of hearing loss. To cut down on, or eliminate surrounding noise, use noise‐cancelling headphones. They’re more expensive, but your ears will thank you.
Never listen at full volume – Though it’s easy to find yourself listening to your MP3 player at maximum volume, try to avoid this at all costs. Researchers advise that it is safe to listen to your player at maximum volume for just 5 minutes.
