Excessive use of in-ear headphones such as AirPods can result in hearing damage and ear infections, audiologists warn.
They recommend a simple guide to reduce the risk of hearing loss caused by noise, tinnitus and sensitivity to sound – known as the 60/60 rule…
OVERHANG Anna Gragert learned the hard way when she suffered hearing loss. She spoke with two audiologists, who explained the risks of overuse of earphones.
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing or hissing in the ears)
- Sensitivity to sound over time
Plus, wearing them for long periods of time can trap heat and moisture in the ear, which can lead to ear infections. Finally, they can push the earwax deeper into the ear canal, which can even result in temporary hearing damage.
Both experts she spoke to recommended the 60/60 rule.
Both Reisman and Troast recommend the “60/60 rule” for people who wear headphones. The 60/60 rule means that you listen at no more than 60% of maximum volume for a maximum of 60 minutes at a time.
“Daily use is fine as long as the volume remains safe and the ears are given time to rest,” advises Reisman. “I usually tell patients to take a 15- to 20-minute break for every hour of use.
Apple has long provided a safety warning if you constantly listen to AirPods at high volume. You can check your notification history and decibel limit settings in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Security.
There’s also a Headphone Audio Levels section in the Apple Health app that provides a record of your exposure.
Photo by Sumudu Mohottige on Unsplash
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