Effects Using Earphones on Hearing
Do you often use earphones? Beware, this is a bad impact on your hearing health.
Currently, earphones have become part of everyday lifestyle. Try your attention, while being in a public vehicle such as bus or train, a lot of passengers who use earphones. Although impressed very helpful and can reduce boredom, it turns out the inappropriate use of earphones also bring side effects of hearing loss. The condition occurs due to the use of earphones that are too frequent or with a voice that is too loud.
Dr. Brastho Bramantyo, Sp. THT-KL (K). mentioned at the World Hearing Day press conference, "Based on the research, the bad effects of using earphones occur when used for five hours a week". He also added that permanent damage to the ear due to the use of earphones is more likely to occur at a young age.
Hearing loss to deafness
Sound is measured in decibels. Sound that is less than 75 decibels, though exposed in a long time, seldom cause deafness. However, exposure to sound over 85 decibels in prolonged or repetitive times cause hearing loss. The larger a sound, the shorter time it takes to cause ear damage to deafness.
Normally, human speech has a frequency of 60 decibels. Meanwhile, the use of mp3 players or earphones with a maximum volume can reach 105 decibels. Exposure to sound over 85 decibels for 8 hours, or 100 decibels for 15 minutes may cause hearing loss until deafness.
This can happen because the excessive and repetitive sound frequency of the earphones can damage the cochlea, the part of the inner ear that has the shape of a snail shell (a snail's house).
Inside the snails, sound waves will be converted into electrical signals to be sent to the brain. If there is damage to the snail's house, the ear becomes unable to bear the burden of sound at all.
Hearing damage due to the use of earphones occurs slowly. The beginning will begin to feel hearing loss at the age of 20 years, which if not handled properly can lead to permanent deafness.
Avoid to hearing loss due to earphones
Some actions you can take to prevent ear hearing from earphones include:
1. Turn the earphone volume down
When the sound from inside the earphone can be heard by people around, it indicates that the earphone volume used exceeds the normal range.
To avoid hearing loss or even deafness, decrease the volume and duration of earphones.
2. Method 60-60
According to dr. Brasto, one way that can also prevent hearing damage due to the use of earphones is to apply the method 60-60. Way, listen to music with a maximum volume of 60% and not more than 60 minutes.
3. Use headphones
Another action that can be done to prevent ear damage due to earphones is to use large type headphones. Remember to use it wisely.
4. One hour a day
Take time to rest while using earphones, or try to use earphones for only an hour a day.
Knowing that earphones can cause hearing loss to deafness, you are encouraged to use this small object wisely, from now on. Love your hearing!