Keep headphone usage between 60-90 minutes a day! You are at risk!

THE RATE OF PEOPLE LISTENING TO MUSIC WITH HEADPHONES HAS INCREASED BY 75 PERCENT!

In recent years, with the impact of developments in technology and access to headphones, the number of people listening to music with headphones has increased by 75 percent.

Research Assistant Büşra Aksu from the Department of Audiology at Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences stated that the young population is causing an increase in headphone usage and exposure to high volume, saying, “The World Health Organization estimates that 1.1 billion young people worldwide may be at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. A study conducted in the USA shows that the number of individuals listening to music via over-ear and in-ear headphones increased by 75 percent between 1990 and 2005. It is an indisputable fact that this rate is much higher today.” Evaluating whether listening to music at high volume with headphones leads to hearing loss, Research Assistant Büşra Aksu said, “The threat of hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to noise exists in approximately 12 percent of the population worldwide, and this is also one of the most preventable causes. Because when the noise is eliminated, the risk of hearing loss decreases. It has been suggested that the harmful effects of frequent exposure to high volume through headphones lead to high rates of recreational noise-induced hearing loss in children, adolescents, and young adults,” she said.

WHEN NOISE IS ELIMINATED, THE RISK OF HEARING LOSS DECREASES

Evaluating whether listening to music at high volume with headphones leads to hearing loss, Aksu said, “The threat of hearing loss due to prolonged exposure to noise exists in approximately 12 percent of the population worldwide, and this is also one of the most preventable causes. Because when the noise is eliminated, the risk of hearing loss decreases. It has been suggested that the harmful effects of frequent exposure to high volume through headphones lead to high rates of recreational noise-induced hearing loss in children, adolescents, and young adults,” she said.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE IDEAL SOUND DECIBEL LEVEL?

According to the statement made by the World Health Organization, a sound level above 75 dBA (sounds audible to the human ear) can potentially damage hearing.

Research Assistant Büşra Aksu said, “A sound level above 85 dBA can cause permanent hearing damage if daily exposure is more than 1 hour.”

Regarding the use of Bluetooth and other wireless technologies, Aksu stated the following: “It has not yet been proven that Bluetooth technology, as a form of non-ionizing radiation, has any harm in both auditory and other health fields. Nevertheless, it is recommended to remove headphones when not in use to reduce exposure.”

IF EXPOSURE TO HIGH VOLUME IS REGULAR AND PROLONGED, BE CAREFUL!

Aksu warned that prolonged exposure to high volume with headphones causes temporary hearing loss or ringing in the ears, stating, “When exposure is particularly high, regular, or prolonged, it causes permanent damage to sensory cells and irreversible hearing loss. Noise first makes it difficult to hear high-pitched/treble sounds. This makes it difficult to understand speech. It can increase ringing and affect a person's quality of life. Some people may be more sensitive to noise-induced hearing loss than others. Careless use of headphones creates a risk of damaging your sense of hearing. Although hearing loss cannot be stopped, it is usually preventable. It is recommended to keep headphone usage between 60-90 minutes a day, take frequent breaks, and keep the maximum volume level between 60 and 80 percent. In cases where one wants to listen for longer than ninety minutes, it is recommended to lower the volume level even further,” she said.

DO NEW GENERATION HEADPHONES THREATEN HEARING HEALTH?

Stating that there is no data in studies indicating that exposure to EMR (electromagnetic radiation) in wireless headphones is harmful, Research Assistant Büşra Aksu said, “Whether wired or wireless, the real damage to hearing is the intensity of the sound and the duration of exposure to the sound.”

WHAT FEATURES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN BUYING HEADPHONES?

Research Assistant Büşra Aksu underlined that the same precautions apply to protecting hearing health regardless of the type and features of the headphones. Aksu concluded her words by saying, “The World Health Organization recommends keeping the volume low and limiting the listening time to protect hearing health. The daily safe sound level should be at 80 dBA, not exceeding 40 hours per week.”