Mp3 Players And Your Hearing Health

So many people are using mp3 players and iPods on an everyday basis more and more. There are people who like listening to music while in the car, the bus, while working out or relaxing at home and this trend attracts them.

There are many studies on the positive effects music can have on a person, but having small earphones in your ears and playing loud music isn't good for your hearing. Creating a sound that's 9 decibels higher than that of regular earphones covering the whole ear is using small earpieces that are inserted inside the ear, and this is according to some studies. Nine decibels is about the same as an alarm clock or lawn mower. The listener is given more incentive to turn up the volume when using earphones that fit inside the ear because they're less effective at blocking out background noises. While no one can be sure what the average volume mp3 listeners are cranking their volumes to, a recent study compiled in Australia showed that a quarter of the listeners between the ages of 18 and 54 are listening to music at levels that could potentially cause long term hearing loss.

High levels of music produced by mp3 technology can cause hearing loss because the sound waves damage the hair cells in the cochlea; a part of the ear which transmits sound information to your brain. Causing long term hearing loss is any sound higher than 90 decibels if the sound is prolonged and technological capabilities of reaching 120 decibels is what most mp3 players can do. That is equivalent to an ambulance siren.

You can't measure the decibel level of your mp3 player, but you might be listening to your music too loud if your player is over 60% of the maximum volume, you can't hear conversations that are happening around you, other people can hear your music, or you find yourself yelling or talking loudly to people nearby.

There is no need to stop using your mp3 player, and most people wouldn't anyways, considering the great joys they get out of the technology, but there are ways you can ensure your hearing is healthy. By following the steps above, you can enjoy pleasurable music for years to come and have excellent ear health as well.

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