In this digital era, earbuds have become an indispensable part of our lives that help us provide a convenient way to listen to music, watch movies, and take calls. However, long-term use of earbuds can impact hearing health. In some ways, you can use earbuds without impacting or reducing their impact on hearing health and enjoy your audio experience safely.
Understanding Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a very serious problem and we cannot avoid it. It occurs due to some arguments like age, genetics, exposure to loud noises, and ototoxic medication. The most common reason for hearing loss is prolonged exposure to high decibel levels which is the main reason for hearing cell damage or loss in the inner ear part. These cells play an important role which sending or transmitting messages or sound waves to the brain, if they are damaged we cannot hear anything.
How Earbuds Work
Earbuds are very good audio devices that provide immersive sound results and a new listening experience for users. Earbuds work like headphones that are put inside the ear canal. They provide good quality sound directly into the ear. Earbuds can send high-intensity sound waves directly to the inner ear since the sound source is close to the eardrum.
The Risks of High Volume
One disadvantage of earbuds is providing sound at serious and unsafe high volumes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), above 85 decibels (dB) sound levels for a long period can harm hearing cells and cause hearing loss results, especially for users who sit in a noisy environment and turn up the volume to reduce background noise.
Key Factors Contributing to Hearing Loss from Earbuds
Many key factors contribute to hearing loss from earbuds.
- Volume Levels: High-intensity sound waves damage hearing health immediately and cause hearing loss. 100 dB sound wave can impact hearing in just 15 minutes.
- Duration of Exposure: Not just loud sound waves but also extended periods of use impact hearing health and cause serious damage. Prolonged exposure to loud sound waves is harmful which increases the risk of hearing loss.
- Type of Earbuds: In-ear type earbuds models are more harmful than over-ear earbuds. In-ear earbuds create a seal in the ear canal and damage it with high-intensity sound waves or pressure.
- Background Noise: In the noise environment, users use high-volume audio to prevent or reduce the background noise. In this way, users take themself to the harmful decibel levels.
Preventing Hearing Loss from Earbuds
There are a few methods by which you can prevent hearing loss from earbuds.
- Moderate Volume Levels: Make sure that your audio volume is always at a moderate level. 60/60 is the best rule for this which is never cross 60% volume and never listen for more than 60 minutes. In this way, it will not affect your hearing health.
- Use Noise-Canceling Earbuds: Utilize noise-canceling earbuds which can reduce the immediate sound waves of the environment.
- Take Breaks: Make sure to take a break every few periods to rest and recover your ear regularly.
- Awareness and Education: Knowledge of safe listening and understanding of hearing risk helps you prevent hearing damage.