4 easy tips for safe listening
Whether you're jamming out in your car or getting pumped up at the gym, it's rare for any of us to go a day without music. However, listening to music through earbuds at loud volumes or for extended periods of time can damage your hearing.
Follow these four tips to help reduce your risk for hearing loss while still enjoying your favorite tunes:
Check your volume
Don’t go higher than 60 percent of the max volume. Some devices even allow you to set a volume limit as a default, so check your settings.
Follow this easy rule of thumb: If you have to raise your voice when speaking to someone while listening to music, you need to turn the volume down.
Limit time
Follow the 60/60 rule: Limit your listening time to 60 minutes if you’re listening at 60 percent volume. Also remember to take regular breaks from listening.
Choose headphones wisely
If you’re walking on a busy street or working out at the gym, it can be tempting to crank up the volume to compensate for background noise. Instead, invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones so that you can enjoy your music at a lower volumes.
Protect your ears at loud events
Don't forget to wear earplugs to concerts and sporting events. Earplugs reduce the volume but don’t muffle it, so you’ll still be able to enjoy the experience. Be sure to avoid standing next to sources of noise, such as loudspeakers.
