That pair of earbuds practically live in your ears, tuning out the noisy world and keeping you pumped through workouts and long commutes. But at what cost? Emerging research reveals that modern listening habits put many at risk for permanent hearing damage.
Why it matters
Over one billion young people could face disabling hearing loss by 2050 according to a recent World Health Organization (WHO). The culprit? Unsafe use of personal audio devices like smartphones and headphones.
"We used to worry about loud concerts damaging teens' hearing, but now everyday noise exposure is far more dangerous," —Noah Hayes, Au.D., at the Cleveland Clinic.
What research tells us
According to a large study by the University of Michigan and Apple, one-third of participants under 40 exceeded the WHO's safe noise exposure levels often without realizing it. Momentary loud bursts while jogging or subtle volume creep over time can accumulate hearing damage.
Without awareness and precautions, earbuds and headphones will contribute to hearing loss over time.
What to do
Best practices for healthy listening habits include:
- Set a maximum volume limit on your device to prevent listening at unsafe levels.
- Take listening breaks to give your ears a rest.
- Use noise-canceling features, especially in loud environments, to reduce background noise and the need for higher volumes.
- Pay attention to how noise exposure affects you physically and mentally. Loud environments can impact your stress levels and overall health.
The bottom line
Protect your hearing now to preserve the sweetest sound of all — a world you can hear.
Hearing health starts here
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