The ear contains thousands of hair cells responsible for transmitting sound from the ear to the brain. Excessively loud sounds can cause permanent damage to these cells, disrupting the sound transmission mechanism. High sound levels also harm the connection between hair cells and nerve cells, leading to impaired hearing.

According to Doctor of Medicine, Specialist Level II Tran Thi Thuy Hang, Head of the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Center, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, the safe intensity threshold for human ears is below 85 dB. Listening to sounds at 100 dB (decibel) for 15 minutes, or continuously listening to volumes above 85 dB for 8 hours, can destroy ear hair cells, leading to a high risk of temporary hearing loss, tinnitus, or deafness.

Doctor Hang provides the following guidance on safe headphone usage:

Apply the 60-60 rule: Safe listening volume for hearing is 85 dB for a maximum of 8 hours daily, 40 hours weekly. When using headphones, keep the volume below approximately 60% of the device's maximum capacity, avoid continuous listening for more than 60 minutes, and allow your ears to rest for about 5-10 minutes before continuing use.

Reduce volume for long listening sessions: If continuous headphone use is necessary, users should gradually decrease the volume level, from 60 dB to 30-50 dB. Consider installing software on smartphones to monitor and alert safe listening levels for timely adjustments.

Use noise-canceling headphones: According to Doctor Hang, many people tend to increase volume to hear more clearly when outdoors or in noisy environments like buses or cafes. This exposes the ears to loud sounds, negatively impacting hair cells. To mitigate this, using noise-canceling headphones can help reduce the need to increase volume.

A technician assists a patient with a hearing test. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

Avoid wearing headphones while sleeping: This habit forces the ears to be exposed to sound for prolonged periods, making volume control difficult, leading to continuous auditory stimulation and an increased risk of damage. Additionally, wearing headphones while sleeping can cause the ear canal to become stuffy, creating a moist environment conducive to bacterial growth and a high risk of inflammation.

Choose suitable headphones and clean them regularly: Select good quality headphones that fit the ear canal properly. Regularly cleaning these devices helps remove accumulated dirt and bacteria, reducing the risk of infection.

Doctor Hang advises individuals experiencing symptoms such as persistent tinnitus, hearing loss, a feeling of fullness in the ear, or the need to increase volume to hear, to consult an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist for a hearing check.

Uyen Trinh