Responsible Listening

Enjoy the Sounds You Love Safely and Responsibly

We've all turned up the radio to hear a favorite song or stood near the loudspeakers at a concert to feel the beat. It seems like human nature to want our music as loud as we can handle it. But over time, risky listening habits can limit our ability to hear the music and audio we love.

These days, iPods^® and surround sound home entertainment technology add to the long list of potentially dangerous listening situations available to us. Luckily, there are listening techniques that let us experience our favorite sounds without damaging our hearing. By taking steps now to protect our hearing we can keep enjoying music, movies and conversation for a long time to come.

How to Listen Responsibly

There are several ways to reduce the risk of hearing loss without taking the fun out of everyday listening activities.

For example:

• Set your headphone or earbud volume levels when you're in a quiet environment—not a place with lots of competing sounds. Lower the volume if you can't hear those around you speaking. Avoid raising the levels to block out noisy surroundings.
• Turn the volume down before inserting your earbuds or putting on headphones. Gradually increase volume to a moderate level.
• Avoid using a listening device where lack of attention to your surroundings could be dangerous (e.g. while driving, biking or operating machinery).
• Pay attention to how long you listen to audio at high volume. Remember: Your ears adapt to higher volume settings over time. That means you can damage your hearing even if the intensity doesn't seem uncomfortable to your ears.
• The louder the volume, the less time it takes to affect your hearing. If you experience ringing in your ears or hear muffled speech, stop listening and get your hearing checked.
• Don't wear your headphones or earbuds during rapid changes in altitude or pressure (e.g. airplane takeoffs and landings).
• If you're listening while on a plane, remove your earbuds or headphones occasionally to reduce pressure that may buildup while flying.
• Opt for quiet household equipment, such as noise-limiting hairdryers.
• Keep listening devices away from young children.
• Keep the volume of stereos and televisions in check.
• Limit listening time to one hour per day.
• Get your hearing tested once every year or two after age 30.
• Wear hearing protection like noise canceling earphones or headphones when listening to portable music players or mowing the lawn.