{"id":547,"date":"2021-07-22T16:05:20","date_gmt":"2021-07-22T20:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulfcoastaudiology.com\/?p=547"},"modified":"2021-07-22T16:05:20","modified_gmt":"2021-07-22T20:05:20","slug":"how-can-headphones-earbuds-harm-your-hearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulfcoastaudiology.com\/how-can-headphones-earbuds-harm-your-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can Headphones & Earbuds Harm Your Hearing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many of us enjoy listening to music, podcasts or audiobooks through headphones to make our commutes more enjoyable, but if you\u2019re not careful, you could be putting your ears at risk<\/a>. Below we review how unsafe listening practices can cause damage to the ears and how to listen safely.<\/p>\n

How Loud Sounds Cause Damage\"A<\/h2>\n

Inside the cochlea are tiny hair cells called stereocilia. The stereocilia\u2019s job is to convert sound waves into electrical energy that travels via the auditory nerve to the brain to be interpreted as sound. Each cell is responsible for converting a different frequency.<\/p>\n

When dangerously loud sounds pass through the ears \u2013 anything over 85 dB \u2013 it can damage or destroy the hair cells. Once damaged, these cells do not regenerate, and the result is permanent sensorineural hearing loss in those frequencies.<\/p>\n

How Common Is Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?<\/h2>\n

Noise damage is the second most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss, after aging (presbycusis). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 40 million adults<\/a> in the U.S. between ages 20 and 69 have some degree of noise-induced hearing loss.<\/p>\n

In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 50% of young people<\/a> ages 12 to 35 around the globe \u2013 that\u2019s 1.1. billion people \u2013 are at risk of hearing loss caused by prolonged, excessive exposure to loud noises, including music through headphones.<\/p>\n

How to Practice Safe Listening<\/h2>\n

In order to practice safe listening habits and preserve your hearing health, we recommend following these tips:<\/p>\n