Sound is measured in decibels (dB). Each decibel is one tenth of a bel, which is a unit that measures the intensity of sound. For every six decibels, the intensity of the sound doubles. At 90 dB of uninterrupted sound, the limit of safe noise exposure is eight hours. For each six dB increase of uninterrupted sound thereafter, the limit of safe exposure is reduced by half.
One of the leading causes of hearingloss in the 21st century is headphone use. Headphone use has grown exponentially in the past 50 years. It’s hard to walk down the street without seeing those well-known white earbuds.
While headphones can be incredibly convenient, they can also cause noise-induced hearing loss. In the U.S., an estimated 48 million people have hearing loss in at least one ear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The problem is particularly worrisome among young people—nearly 50 percent of those ages 12 to 39 could be exposed to unsafe noise levels from their devices. It is important to know the approximate intensity of sound in your headphones and around you to protect your hearing.
One of the leading causes of hearingloss in the 21st century is headphone use. Headphone use has grown exponentially in the past 50 years. It’s hard to walk down the street without seeing those well-known white earbuds.
While headphones can be incredibly convenient, they can also cause noise-induced hearing loss. In the U.S., an estimated 48 million people have hearing loss in at least one ear, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The problem is particularly worrisome among young people—nearly 50 percent of those ages 12 to 39 could be exposed to unsafe noise levels from their devices. It is important to know the approximate intensity of sound in your headphones and around you to protect your hearing.