Wearing headphones correctly can help prevent ear injuries.
Wearing headphones for extended periods at high volume can damage the eardrum, impair hearing, and eventually lead to deafness.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, globally, more than 1 billion people aged 12-35 are at risk of hearing damage due to listening to loud music on mobile devices and frequent exposure to entertainment events with high sound intensity. In Vietnam, the number of young people seeking treatment for hearing-related diseases has increased in recent years.
|
Dr. Cao Minh Thanh, Head of the Department of Otolaryngology at Hanoi Medical University Hospital, said that one of the reasons for hearing loss among young people is the consequence of wearing headphones.
Frequent and high-volume headphone use causes constant vibration of the eardrum, leading to microscopic damage, reduced elasticity, and changes in the structure of the common fibrous folds in the middle of the eardrum. This can later manifest as hearing loss and scarring of the eardrum. In many cases, medical interventions are impossible, except for the use of hearing aids.
Dr. Thanh suggests that if you experience symptoms such as having to concentrate intensely to hear someone while talking, or having to turn up the TV volume louder than usual, you should go to a hospital for an ear examination.
How to use the headphones:
ButAdjust the soundKeep the volume at a moderate level. Avoid frequently using headphones at maximum volume. Follow the 60-60 rule: do not listen to music or watch movies at volume exceeding 60%. Headphone usage time should not exceed 60 minutes continuously. When the volume is high, the duration should be shortened.
ButAsk the person next to you.If someone nearby can hear the sound coming from your headphones, you should adjust the volume until they can no longer hear anything. This is not only a way to protect your hearing but also a way to maintain public etiquette.
ButBe careful when listening to music on your headphones while driving.When you wear headphones while driving, you often turn the volume up very high to hear because the traffic noise is quite loud, which puts a strain on your eardrums. Besides, wearing headphones while driving prevents you from hearing your surroundings, making it very dangerous and increasing the risk of accidents.
ButChoose the right headphones.It's best to choose over-ear headphones that cover the entire ear and offer good noise cancellation; avoid in-ear headphones.
ButPay attention to cleaning your headphones.Regularly clean your headphones to prevent dust and foreign objects from getting into your ears, as well as to prevent ear infections.
ButBe careful about drinking alcohol and listening with headphones.The alcohol in alcoholic beverages obscures low-frequency sounds around 1000 Hz, the most important threshold for distinguishing speech. This affects our hearing.