Listening to music at loud volume levels through a handheld device can damage your hearing. Exposure to volume levels above 85 dBs for prolonged periods of time can lead to permanent hearing loss. The maximum decibel level of an iPod sold in the United States is 100-115 dBs. For this reason, it's important to take certain precautions to protect your hearing while you listen to music. Here are three quick suggestions to preserve your hearing and still enjoy your music!
- Listen to your music at 70% of the device's maximum volume level. Your handheld device probably has a volume limiting function that allows you to set the maximum volume level. Access this programming feature and limit the device's volume level.
- Give your ears a break after one hour of listening. The length of time that you listen to music can impact your hearing health as well.
- Use over-the-ear headphones instead of ear buds. Over-the-ear headphones usually introduce sounds to the ear at a decreased volume level of 5 dBs. By dampening or blocking surrounding noise, they also promote listening to music at lower volume levels. The listener does not have to adjust the volume to a higher level to compensate for the volume of environmental sounds.
For more information on how to protect your hearing and still enjoy your music, read the articles linked to below:
Image provided courtesy of Michal Marcol of freedigitalphotos.net
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