The human ear is an extremely delicate organ. Before we put the headphones in the ears, it is worth knowing that sounds exceeding 85 decibels – i.e. the level of noise on a busy street – can already damage our hearing. The problem is that we often turn up the volume much above this border, especially when we want to drown out the city hustle and bustle.
Open headphones – ear friendly
Open headphones are the least invasive for our hearing. Thanks to the special design of the shells, they allow the ears to “breathe”, which prevents overheating and developing infection. Their open construction also means that the sound reaches us in a more natural way. However, there is a minus – these headphones poorly insulate from the noise of the environment, and people around us hear what we listen to.
Echococcal closed – golden mean
Closed headphones closed in noisy places will work better. Their main advantage is that they spread the sound into a larger surface around the ear, instead of directing it straight to the ear canal. For this they calm down the noise of the surroundings well – thanks to this we can listen to the music quieter.
In -ear and ear – convenient but risky
These small headphones that we put deeply in the ear are very practical, but can be dangerous. Placed close to the eardrum, they can generate a lot of acoustic pressure. However, if we can’t imagine life without them, let’s choose models with good noise insulation and silicone tips that adhere tightly to the ear. The better they calm the surroundings, the quieter we can listen to.
Modern hearing protection
It is worth paying extra to the headphones with active noise reduction (ANC). This technology effectively silences the noise of the environment – the noise of engines, the buzz of conversations or the keyboard’s clicks. As a result, we do not have to increase the volume to hear music or podcast well. This is especially useful in public transport or an open office space.
How to listen safely?
Even the best headphones can harm if we use them badly. The 60/60 rule is often recommended: We do not exceed 60% of the maximum volume and take a break after an hour of listening. When we notice the ringing in your ears or the impression that the sounds are muffled like cotton wool – we will immediately reduce the volume. These are the first warning signals from our body.
Source: Gazeta
Mabel is a talented author and journalist with a passion for all things technology. As an experienced writer for the 247 News Agency, she has established a reputation for her in-depth reporting and expert analysis on the latest developments in the tech industry.
