Can you hear me now?
I’ve never been one to crank up the music; while that was a bit nerdy as a teen, I’m sure grateful for it now! While many of my friends now respond to questions by saying, “Huh?” I still have most of my hearing.
I wish I could say the same for the new generation of teens. Almost 13% of kids have now been diagnosed with hearing loss. The culprit? Researchers say it’s the MP3 player.
The study found that 80% of MP3 listeners played their music too loud. Most people keep their volume above 100 decibels. Researchers say that it’s as loud as standing next to a gas lawn mower, and more than 5 minutes of listening at this level can cause permanent hearing loss.
There are two issues, volume and time. Researchers suggest that 85 decibels is a safe level for listening; which is about the same sound level as a busy city street. If it’s as loud as a lawn mower, turn it down!
Back in the “olden” days, we used batteries to power our Walkman. They would die in a few hours, so our listening time was limited. Today, you can listen for up to 20 hours before recharging. The longer you listen to loud music, the higher the risk of permanent damage.
Weekend tip: Buy noise canceling headphones, this can help to reduce hearing loss. Also, limit your time and loudness while listening….
To your health,
Deborah Enos, CN
The One Minute (or less) Wellness Coach
