Tune In to Your Hearing
Media and music are more accessible than ever, making earbuds and headphones essential. With the rise in technology use, it’s no surprise that there’s a rise in hearing loss. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), one in eight people in the U.S. (13%) ages 12 years and older has hearing loss in both ears.
What Hertz Your Hearing
The decibel level (sound pressure) and length of exposure determine how much damage is done to the ears. Loud music destroys the fine hairs that stimulate the auditory nerve fibers, which carry sound data to the brain. Damage to these hairs is permanent, resulting in hearing loss. Typically, 85 decibels (a bulldozer idling, for example) is where the damage begins.
Listen and Learn
Listening style affects hearing damage. A common habit among earbud wearers is to turn up …