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studies with tinnitus (a ringing in the ear), hypersensitivity to sound
and distorted hearing.
Individual susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss and potential
hearing problem varies. Additionally, the amount of sound produced
by a portable audio device varies depending on the nature of the
sound, the device settings, and the headphones that are used. As a
result, there is no single volume setting that is appropriate for
everyone or for every combination of sound, settings and equipment.
You should follow some commonsense recommendations when using
any portable audio device:
•
Set the volume in a quiet environment and select the lowest volume at
which you can hear adequately.
•
When using headphones, turn the volume down if you cannot hear the
people speaking near you or if the person sitting next to you can hear what
you are listening to.
•
Do not turn the volume up to block out noisy surroundings. If you choose to
listen to your portable device in a noisy environment, use noise-cancelling
headphones to block out background environmental noise. By blocking
background environment noise, noise cancelling headphones should allow
you to hear the music at lower volumes than when using earbuds.
•
Limit the amount of time you listen. As the volume increases, less time is
required before you hearing could be affected.
•
Avoid using headphones after exposure to extremely loud noises, such as
rock concerts, that might cause temporary hearing loss. Temporary hearing
loss might cause unsafe volumes to sound normal.