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Responsible Listening
Caution!: Avoid potential hearing loss
.
Damage to hearing occurs when a person is exposed to loud
sounds over time. The risk of hearing loss increases as sound is
played louder and for longer durations. Prolonged exposure to
loud sounds (including music) is the most common cause of
preventable hearing loss. Some scientific research suggests that
using portable audio devices, such as portable music players and
cell phones, at high volume settings for long durations may lead
to permanent noise-induced hearing loss. This includes the use
of headphones (including headsets, earbuds, and Bluetooth® or
other wireless devices). Exposure to very loud sound has also
been associated in some 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 common sense recommendations when
using any portable audio device:
•
Always turn the volume down before plugging the earphones into an
audio source.
•
Set the volume in a quiet environment and select the lowest volume at
which you can hear adequately.
•
Be aware that you can adapt to higher volume settings over time, not
realizing that the higher volume may be harmful to your hearing.
•
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.
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