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Consequences of the Use of Headphones

Headphones come in a variety of types and styles and, with each, also comes a different level of hazard. Ear-muff-style headphones have progressed into earbuds, which fit inside the ear and don't reduce the noise around you very well, so you hear the audio coming through them plus outside noises. While listening to headphones at a moderate level is harmless, most people tend to raise the volume quite high or use them in inappropriate situations. The consequences of headphone use in these cases are serious.

  1. Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

    • Diminished hearing at certain frequencies is one of the first symptoms of noise-induced hearing loss, which is the result of exposure to dangerous levels of sound. Headphone use, particularly today's earbuds, that fit into the ear dangerously close to your ear drum and canal, can contribute to this type of hearing loss, which is irreparable and worsens over time. Hearing experts encourage you to turn down the volume on your headphones and to follow the 60-60 rule. Listen to your headphones at 60 percent of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes a day to reduce the risk of noise-induced hearing loss.

    On the Road

    • Just as talking on a cell phone can cause you to become inattentive while driving, using headphones while on the highway can distract you and block out sounds that are important for you to hear. Emergency sirens, such as ambulance and police cars or blaring horns to warn you of danger, are blocked by headphones when you are driving. These sounds are crucial to alerting you of potential dangers on the road and shouldn't be ignored. Not only does headphone use pose a risk to you as a driver, emergency vehicles may be forced to slow down in order to avoid hitting your vehicle, thus impairing their response time to an emergency, which then may result in the loss of life. It can also result in injury to others because you aren't aware of vehicles around you. Because of these hazards, many states prohibit drivers from using headphones or limit the use to one ear.

    Workplace Safety

    • Wearing headphones at work can lead to injury, and possibly death, because many workplaces use signals or alarms to alert you to dangers such as moving vehicles or fire. Listening to music while working seems like a harmless way to pass the workday, but with the noise around you blocked out, you may not hear alarms or notice vehicles or people in your path. For this reason, many workplaces prohibit the use of headphones on the job.

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