How Are Earbuds Affecting Your Hearing?

How Are Earbuds, Affecting Your Hearing?.

Headphones and earbuds have become a ubiquitous part of our lives.

Experts say that the assumption that earbuds can cause more damage than headphones to our hearing is a misconception.

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The misconception stems from the thought that, because an earbud sits farther into your ear, it would do more damage than something that sits farther away, Cory Portnuff, University of Colorado Hospital, via 'The New York Times'.

However, what actually matters is the volume at your eardrum, not where it comes from, Cory Portnuff, University of Colorado Hospital, via 'The New York Times'.

Hearing experts say that there is a simple "rule of thumb" by which you can measure whether or not the volume in your earbuds is too loud.

It’s called 80 for 90 — you can safely listen at 80 percent of the max volume for a total of 90 minutes a day, Cory Portnuff, University of Colorado Hospital, via 'The New York Times'.

However, other hearing experts are more cautious in their recommendations.

There is no such thing as a safe headphone, Dr. Daniel Fink, The Quiet Coalition, via 'The New York Times'.

When we turn up the volume of our earbuds to compensate for a loud, external space, we are likely exceeding the 80 for 90 recommendation.

And that means listening volume has to be above probably 80 decibels, , Dr. Daniel Fink, The Quiet Coalition, via 'The New York Times'.

... and you’re giving yourself enough sound pressure, enough decibels to damage your hearing, Dr. Daniel Fink, The Quiet Coalition, via 'The New York Times'.

These experts recommend a more common sense approach to using earbuds.

Listen at the lowest level possible that allows you to hear the content that you want to listen to, Dr. Daniel Fink, The Quiet Coalition, via 'The New York Times'.

If it sounds loud, it’s too loud, Dr. Daniel Fink, The Quiet Coalition, via 'The New York Times'