Last Updated: on December 4, 2023 by Jack
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question, but you shouldn’t have headphones on for long periods of time, especially at higher volumes.
Factors such as why you wear them, environment, and type of headphones all play a role in determining recommended usage. Long listening sessions every day can lead to ear-related issues such as tinnitus and permanent hearing loss.
We have put together advice on how to determine how long you should wear headphones and some safe usage tips to protect your long-term hearing.
Their Impact on Daily Life
Headphones have significantly shaped our daily lives and cultural habits. They allow people to curate their personal audio environments, blocking out unnecessary noise in public places or at work. This offers notable benefits for focus, efficiency, and relaxation. High-quality headphones with noise-cancellation technology provide a crisp sound, enhancing users’ music experience.
However, the excessive use of headphones introduces certain risks as well. For instance, extensive headphone usage might lead to social isolation due to reduced interactions with others around us. They also present a risk in that they might stop you from hearing important sounds around you.
Using headphones continually can also result in discomfort from pressure on the ears over time. Extended exposure to loud sounds through headphones causes damage to sensitive hair cells in the inner ear, causing hearing loss or tinnitus.
The physical health implications don’t stop there; regular use of tight over-ear types might stress your neck muscles, resulting in poor posture. It can also cause neck strain if using a heavy pair while performing different activities.
Determining Safe Headphone Usage
You can use a few methods to determine safe headphone usage, including performing the ringing test, checking the volume control, and consulting with experts.
The Ringing Test
The ringing test serves as an easy, immediate gauge of safe headphone usage. This involves listening carefully for any ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears after using headphones.
If you notice such sounds, it’s typically a sign that the volume is too high and could potentially cause hearing damage or even tinnitus.
Hearing loss isn’t always noticeable at first, which is why relying on a simple tool like the ringing test can be essential. It allows users to react immediately by adjusting the volume of their headphones or earbuds.
Remember, prevention plays a significant role in protecting sensitive hair cells in the inner ear from deafening music and loud noises.
Checking The Volume
Creating the right balance with your headphone volume is critical to protect your hearing.
The general rule recommends that the volume on headphones should not exceed half of the maximum level. This reduces noise exposure and prevents damage to sensitive hair cells in our inner ears.
Using sound meters or decibel readers can accurately determine your safe listening levels.
Note: Enduring loud music for even 15 minutes can lead to hearing loss or tinnitus–a continuous ringing sensation in your ears.
Consulting With Experts
Gaining insights from others provides a broader understanding of headphones usage and its effects. Specialists, like audiologists, have valuable knowledge about safe sound levels and can recommend a safe listening duration for audio devices.
For those with sensory loss, organizations such as Deafblind UK offer technology advice which could be beneficial for protecting your hearing.
The Risks of Overusing Headphones
Overusing headphones can lead to potential hearing loss and skin problems.
Potential for Hearing Loss
Listening to music through headphones at high volumes for prolonged periods has the potential for hearing loss. It can be as easy as 15 minutes of loud music that inflicts long-term damage in the ear.
If left unchecked, over time, it will snowball into serious hearing issues like tinnitus or even permanent hearing loss.
Noise-cancellation headphones serve as both a blessing and a curse in this scenario. While they block out ambient noise and allow you to enjoy music uninterrupted, they also encourage listening at dangerously high volume levels.
A study found that individuals who listened to more than three hours of music daily were more susceptible to experiencing symptoms indicative of early auditory problems.
Skin Problems
Overusing headphones can lead to more than hearing damage; it can also trigger skin issues. When worn for long hours, Moisture-trapping headphones or earphones may cause bacterial infections due to the humid conditions.
Tight-fitting headphones might give rise to necrosis – a distressing condition where skin cells die off and black or brown tissue emerges. Even acne and skin irritation often surface if you keep in-ear headphones on for an extended period.
Some models put less pressure on the skin and ears than others, alleviating discomfort and stopping nasty build-ups on the skin.
Tips for Healthy Headphone Usage
- Be aware of the volume levels and avoid listening to music at excessively high volumes for prolonged periods of time.
- Take regular breaks from using headphones, allowing your ears to rest and recover from prolonged exposure to sound.
- Invest in headphones that fit properly and provide good noise isolation, as this can help minimize the need to increase the volume.
- Avoid falling asleep with headphones on, as this can lead to discomfort or even potential damage to your ears.
- Be mindful of your surroundings when wearing headphones in public places, ensuring you stay alert and aware of potential hazards.
Recognising When It’s Too Loud
Balancing enjoyment and safety becomes crucial when discussing headphone utilisation for extended periods. Here’s how you can recognise if your headphone use might be stretching too long:
- Physical discomfort, such as pressure on your ears or a headache, may signal prolonged use.
- Loss of hearing sharpness or temporary muffling sounds often points toward excessive usage.
- Tinnitus, identified by a constant ringing sensation in the ear, can indicate overuse.
- If you constantly increase the volume to keep up with ambient noise, it’s time to rest your ears.
- Consider social aspects as well; less interaction due to continuous headphone use might mean it’s time to unplug and engage more with others around you.
- Lastly, experiencing neck strain or poor posture may suggest that the duration of headphone usage needs reviewing.
Sound meter apps can assist in measuring sound levels, picking up readings of decibels to identify when the volume is too loud. Typically, safe listening levels are below 85 decibels.
Conclusion
Headphones are a part of most people’s lives these days, and usage is different for everyone.
Whether using them personally or professionally, it is important to consider the impact of headphones on your daily life and take steps to ensure safe usage. By conducting simple tests, checking volume control, and consulting with experts, you can determine the right amount of time to have headphones on.
Smart usage protects your long-term hearing and avoids other stuff, such as skin problems. Enjoy your audio experience, but make a conscious effort to look after your health next time you put a pair on.