QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News Service, June 23) – It is a common sight these days. People walking around, headphones or earphones on, without a care in the world. Besides the obvious accident waiting to happen – not hearing an incoming vehicle – wearing earphones or headphones have a detrimental effect on our hearing, specially if improperly used.
Imagine blasting loud music directly to your eardrums. Now, it isn’t too hard to conclude that this is causing damage to your hearing.
The amount of hearing damage is related to the volume. According to American experts, sounds at 85 decibels and below is considered safe. To know if you are above the safe levels, just follow a simple rule of thumb – if other people can hear the music coming from your earphones, then your music is too loud.
Most portable stereo system produce sound at the 95-100 decibel range, which is comparable to having the sound of a gun blast straight at your eardrums.
If you want to avoid hearing loss, here are the proper ways of using your headphones:
1. Remember that if you can’t hear anything around you when using your headphones, the decibel level is too high. When using headphones, the volume should only be at 60% or lower.
2. Decreasing the volume is not enough. Duration also plays a huge factor. The above-mentioned ideal volume of 60% should last only for 60 minutes per day. The higher the volume, the lesser the time you should be exposed.
There is no definite cure for hearing loss, so prevention is the best way to keep our precious hearing.
(ENS, written by Jay Paul Carlos,with additional research of Lovely Ann Cruz )
