Many people use headphones as an essential part of modern life, but few realize that improper use can silently da.mage the ears.

Convenient but risky

Headphones offer convenience but also come with risks if not used correctly. Students often wear headphones all day to practice English. Office workers use headphones while working or commuting to listen to audiobooks, watch videos, or attend virtual meetings. Older adults enjoy using headphones to listen to the radio, watch movies, or browse social media.

However, prolonged use of headphones at high volumes or in noisy environments can lead to serious hearing damage. Many people don’t realize that environmental noise forces them to increase the volume, putting great pressure on the inner ear.

Protect your hearing – Follow the 60-60-60 rule

According to experts, headphone users should follow the 60-60-60 rule to protect their hearing:

• The volume should not exceed 60% of the maximum level of the device.

• Do not use headphones for more than 60 minutes at a time.
• Avoid using headphones in environments where the surrounding noise exceeds 60 dB.

Using headphones in a noisy environment may cause users to unconsciously increase the volume, increasing the risk of hearing damage. Instead of trying to listen louder, users should choose quieter spaces or use noise-canceling headphones.

Choose the right headphones to protect your ears

There are many types of headphones available on the market today, each with its own pros and cons:

• Noise-canceling headphones: These help reduce environmental noise, allowing for clearer listening without needing to increase the volume too high.

• Bone conduction headphones: These transmit sound directly through the skull without placing the headphones in the ear, allowing users to hear both the sound from the device and the surrounding environment, increasing safety while moving.

Regardless of the type of headphones, users should always control the usage time and volume to protect their hearing.

Monitor your hearing health regularly

Noise-induced hearing loss often occurs gradually and is difficult to notice at first. Some warning signs include:

• The volume that once felt adequate now needs to be increased to hear clearly.

• A feeling of ringing in the ears or difficulty hearing in noisy environments.
• Difficulty hearing conversations or quiet sounds.

If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to visit a medical specialist for an early hearing check, as noise-induced hearing loss is typically irreversible.