Enjoy Music, Even if You Use Hearing Aids

A Guide to Reduce Noise-induced Hearing Loss

Noise-induced hearing loss doesn’t only affect those who work in loud environments; it can also affect people during their leisure time when they watch a movie, TV, video; there can even be lasting effects if they listen to music or an audiobook where the volume is turned up loud. 

Your mobile phone can be just as loud. The average pain threshold for a person’s hearing is approximately 150 dB, the same volume that these devices can go up to. You might feel pain in your ears from hearing volumes at this level. It only takes 85 dB to cause hearing loss. The best way to protect your hearing health from noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is to turn the volume down. 

A simple guide to follow is the 60/60 rule. Listen with the volume level at or below 60% for 60 minutes or less at a time. The volume level is equally as important as the length of exposure time. 


Make a Special Music Setting on Your Hearing Aids


Modern hearing aids can stream every type of audio from your smartphone to your hearing aids. Make sure that the volume levels aren’t too loud. If you are a musician or music lover, Signia hearing aids are highly recommended. Your hearing instrument specialist can program a customized setting to have the best listening experience with your hearing aids. Whether you are at a live concert, a symphony, or in your own home listening to a stereo or record player, you can hear high quality sounds with the right device and programming. Adjustments can also be made to reduce feedback noise.    
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Choosing the Right Headphones

Your personal preference is key, but here are some other things to consider: 

1. Earbuds. The average earbuds don’t have the best sound quality. They do not cancel noise, so many users tend to raise the volume to drown out background noises. It is generally believed that placing earbuds close to your eardrum is the main problem, but it’s due to the loud volume.  
2. Headphones that cover your ears.  Over the ear headphones provide great sound quality, and block out other noise. Some consider this to be a safe choice instead of wearing earbuds. The argument is that the sound source is farther away from your eardrum, but since the speakers are much larger they emit higher noise levels. Noise cancellation may be the best solution, as long as you can still hear an oncoming vehicle or warning sirens. Since these cancel outside noise, you may decrease the volume of whatever you’re listening to reduce the chances of harming your hearing health. 
3. Isolating or Occluding Earbuds. These provide more comfort than your average earbuds. The round rubber tip style is popular because it also helps to block out background noise. A seal that obstructs outside noise from seeping in is created by the rubber tip that contours with the ear’s unique shape. Just like the other headphones, volume levels may also be a problem. Warning sounds can be blocked, and if you wear hearing aids, you can’t wear these earbuds.  

Test out different pairs of headphones, or earbuds, to find out which one works best for you. Find the headphones that are most comfortable for you to enjoy at a safe volume.      

Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids if you need a customized setting for your hearing aid devices. Our hearing instrument specialists can program hearing aids for your individual listening needs. 

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