The risk of noise-induced hearing loss depends on sound intensity and exposure duration. The recommended safe exposure limit is 85 dB for a maximum of 8 hours per day. If sound intensity increases by every 3 dB, the safe exposure time must be halved. For example, listening to sound at 85 dBA for up to 8 hours, if the sound increases to 88 dBA, the safe listening time is 4 hours, and if it increases to 91 dB, the safe listening time reduces to 2 hours.

For personal headphones, sound is delivered directly into the ear canal. Therefore, you should use them for about 2-4 hours per day at 60% of the maximum volume. It is advisable to wear headphones for a maximum of 60 minutes, then let your ears rest for 5-10 minutes. If continuous use exceeds 90 minutes, the volume needs to be reduced. You can install software to monitor and alert you to safe listening levels.

Avoid using headphones in noisy environments, as competing sounds often lead listeners to increase the volume. Inside the ear are thousands of hair cells responsible for transmitting sound from the ear to the brain. Excessive sound can cause permanent damage to these cells, disrupting the sound transmission mechanism.

A technician measures tympanometry for a patient. Photo: _Tam Anh General Hospital_

Excessive sound levels can also damage the connections between hair cells and auditory nerve cells. This damage often starts subtly and progresses over time. Consequently, patients typically do not notice it early, only discovering it when symptoms appear, such as tinnitus, hearing impairment, difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, or reduced hearing sensitivity.

If you regularly wear headphones, especially at high volumes or for extended periods, you should get your hearing checked at least once a year. This allows for monitoring and early detection of any abnormalities. The hearing test process is typically quick, painless, and requires no prior preparation.

Currently, hearing tests are performed using various methods, including: pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, stapedial reflex testing, otoacoustic emissions (OAE), and auditory brainstem response (ABR).

If you experience symptoms such as tinnitus, a feeling of fullness in the ear after listening, temporary hearing loss, or difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments, you should seek medical attention for timely diagnosis and intervention to limit progression.

Master, Doctor, Level I Specialist Nguyen Thi Huong

Department of Otorhinolaryngology

Tam Anh General Hospital, TP HCM