What to do if my headphones are too loud?
Check Your Volume Settings
One of the easiest ways to prevent your headphones from being too loud is to check and adjust the maximum volume limit on your device. Most smartphones, tablets, and audio players have built-in settings to limit the maximum output volume, which can prevent volumes from going above 85 dB and causing potential hearing damage (Source). You can typically find these settings under Sound & Volume options in Settings.
Many headphone brands also have companion apps that allow you to control the maximum volume limit specifically on those headphones when connected to your device. For example, Sony Headphones Connect app lets you cap the max volume to help prevent excessive loudness (Source). Check if your headphones have a similar app to set custom volume limits.
As a general guideline, experts recommend keeping average volume levels under 85 dB to minimize risk of noise-induced hearing damage over time. You can use a decibel meter app to measure your headphone volume and aim to keep it in the 60-85 dB range during regular listening.
Use Volume Limiting Headphones
Using headphones designed with built-in volume limiting technology is an effective way to help protect against hearing damage from loud volumes. These headphones have a preset maximum volume level that cannot be exceeded, regardless of the device’s own volume setting. This ensures the sound exposure stays within recommended safety limits.
Volume limiting headphones often cap the maximum volume around 85 decibels, which is considered a safe level for extended listening. Some models allow parents to set this limit even lower, to tailor the volume range to their child’s needs.
There are volume limiting headphones available for kids, teens, and adults. Models geared towards kids tend to have even stricter limits, like 75-80 decibels maximum. There are also wireless, wired, and Bluetooth options to choose from.
Using headphones designed specifically to prevent dangerously loud volumes is a simple solution. The technology limits the maximum sound output, protecting ears while still allowing listeners to hear and enjoy their audio at reasonable levels.
Get Noise Isolating Headphones
One effective way to avoid listening at dangerously loud volumes is to get headphones designed to block out ambient noise. Noise isolating headphones use physical barriers to seal out external sounds, allowing you to hear your audio content more clearly without cranking up the volume.
Noise isolating headphones come in two main styles – in-ear buds with silicone or foam tips that fit snugly in the ear canal, and over-ear models that surround the entire ear with padded cups. The key is achieving a tight seal so less outside noise gets in.
Foam tips tend to block more sound than silicone as they mold and expand to fill the ear canal. Over-ear headphones with closed-back cups physically cover the ears to obstruct external noise.1 With less ambient noise competing with your audio, you can keep the volume lower and still hear clearly.
The main benefit of noise isolating headphones is reducing the temptation to turn up the volume to drown out background noise. This protects your hearing health over time.
Take Breaks and Limit Duration
Continuous, extended use of headphones can increase your risk of noise-induced hearing loss over time. Experts recommend taking short listening breaks periodically to give your ears a rest.
According to the Hearing Health Foundation, listening sessions should be limited to 30-60 minutes per session with volume at a moderate, safe level. Take short 5-10 minute breaks every 30-60 minutes to avoid fatigue and allow your ears to recover.
This goes for speakers, concerts, and other loud environments as well. The longer the duration of loud noise exposure, the higher the risk. Take regular listening breaks and limit total time to help minimize potential damage.
Setting a timer on your phone or music player can help remind you to take a quick listening break. Stand up, remove your headphones, and give your ears a rest before resuming listening.
Following these simple precautions for breaks and limiting duration can go a long way in maintaining healthy hearing from headphones or speakers over time. Protect your ears by avoiding continuous extended use.
Watch the Volume In Noisy Environments
Noisy environments like planes, trains, or busy offices can make it tempting to turn up the volume to drown out background noise. However, it’s important to be mindful not to exceed safe listening levels when turning up volume in loud places. Listening at high volumes, even for short periods, can lead to temporary or permanent hearing damage.
Instead of cranking up the volume to dangerous levels, consider using noise cancelling headphones that actively block out ambient noise. This allows you to listen at lower, safer volumes even in very noisy environments. If you don’t have noise cancelling headphones, try to take short listening breaks every 30-60 minutes when in loud environments to give your ears a rest.
It’s also a good idea to set your volume to a moderate level before putting your headphones on in a noisy place. This prevents getting blasted with suddenly loud audio that could shock your ears.
The key is being thoughtful about volume levels and not simply drowning out the noise with blaring music or videos. Protect your hearing by avoiding excessive volume, even for brief stints in loud environments.
Set Volume Before Inserting Headphones
One of the most important things you can do to protect your hearing when using headphones is to set the volume to a low level before inserting them in your ears. Ear damage from loud noise can occur instantly, so it’s critical to avoid exposing your ears to unexpectedly high volume levels.
Start by setting your audio device’s volume to around 50-60% of the maximum level or lower before putting your headphones on. It’s much safer to start with a lower volume and gradually increase it as needed. This gives your ears time to adjust, rather than shocking them with instantly loud sound.
According to experts, volume above 85 decibels can begin causing gradual hearing damage over time. Many headphones at maximum volume produce well over 100 decibels. So by presetting a lower volume you can avoid extremely dangerous noise levels.
Simply take an extra moment to check and turn down the volume before hitting play. Making this a consistent habit whenever using headphones can go a long way in protecting your hearing and preventing painful noise-induced ear damage.
Avoid Volume Competition
Turning up the volume louder than someone else can be very harmful to your hearing. This is commonly referred to as “volume competition” where you keep turning up the volume to drown out external noise. However, this can lead to permanent noise-induced hearing loss over time.1
Instead of competing with external noise by cranking up the volume to dangerous levels, set your volume based on your personal listening limits. A good guideline is to keep volume below 60% of the maximum. This allows you to still hear external noises and conversations, while protecting your hearing at the same time.
Rather than focusing on volume competition with outside noises, set your volume at a safe level before inserting your headphones. This helps avoid the temptation to keep inching up the volume. Your hearing health will thank you in the long run.
Watch for Early Warning Signs
If you regularly use headphones, be aware of some early warning signs that the volume may be too high.
These include:
- Ear pain – Exposure to loud sounds can cause changes to the delicate inner structures of the ear, leading to soreness or aching.
- Ringing/buzzing – Also known as tinnitus, you may hear noise or ringing in one or both ears, even after removing your headphones. This is often one of the first signs of possible hearing damage from noise exposure (Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156286).
- Muffled hearing after removing headphones – If sounds seem muted or muffled after you take headphones off, it may indicate temporary hearing loss from excess volume. Give your ears a rest before resuming use.
Paying attention to these early warning signs allows you to modify your listening habits before permanent hearing loss sets in. Don’t ignore ear pain or tinnitus – consult an audiologist if symptoms persist.
Get Your Hearing Tested
Getting a baseline hearing test is important to monitor any changes in your hearing sensitivity over time. Many audiologists recommend getting your hearing tested every 1-2 years, or more frequently if you are regularly exposed to loud noise.
A hearing test conducted by an audiologist will check for hearing loss across different frequencies. This comprehensive test can identify if you have any early signs of hearing damage. Tracking changes year-to-year allows you to proactively address any emerging issues.
An audiologist can also make recommendations if custom molded headphones may help optimize sound quality and safety for your individual hearing. As cited on the National Council on Aging website, custom headphones are available in analog and digital options, and the best Ear, Nose & Throat specialists use sophisticated computer tech to create a unique perfect-fit headphone for your ears ( https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/hearing-aids/best-online-hearing-tests/ ). Getting your hearing tested provides key personal data to inform decisions around your listening devices and habits.
Be Proactive About Hearing Health
Noise-induced hearing loss is permanent and irreversible. Once the delicate hair cells inside the inner ear are damaged by loud noise exposure, they cannot regrow or be repaired. According to the CDC, there is no cure for noise-induced hearing loss1. The hearing loss may be gradual and worsen over time as more exposure occurs. That’s why it’s critical to be proactive about protecting your hearing before any damage is done.
Rather than taking a reactive approach only after noticing symptoms, be preemptive. Avoid hazardous noise environments when possible, use hearing protection devices, and turn down volume. Get baseline hearing tests done periodically to monitor changes over time. Being proactive preserves precious hearing health so you can enjoy music, conversation, and all of life’s sounds fully.