Can headphone use put your hearing at risk?
By Hidden Hearing Audiologist Jim Williamson
In an age where smartphones and wireless earbuds are part of everyday life, more people than ever are walking around with sound in their ears, from podcasts on the morning commute to music during workouts or virtual meetings at work.
Headphones and earphones offer convenience, but they’re also creating a growing concern among hearing specialists - are we damaging our ears without realising it?
The answer, sadly, is yes. And the damage can be permanent.
At Hidden Hearing, we’re seeing a growing number of people under 30 showing signs of hearing loss - damage that, in previous generations, typically wouldn’t appear until much later in life. The biggest reason? Prolonged exposure to loud sounds, particularly from headphone use.
Protecting your hearing
What are the early warning signs of hearing loss? Asking people to repeat themselves, struggling to hear conversations in noisy settings, constantly turning up the TV, or hearing ringing in your ears are all red flags.
How loud is too loud? If you can’t hear someone talking to you at arm’s length while wearing headphones, it’s too loud. We recommend the 60/60 rule – 60 minutes listening at 60% volume.
Is it worse to wear headphones in noisy environments? Absolutely. People often turn the volume up to drown out background noise - like on buses, trains, or in busy streets. This dramatically increases the risk of hearing damage. If you must listen in noisy places, consider noise-cancelling headphones.
Take action early
Noise-induced hearing loss builds up over time and doesn’t always show symptoms right away. That’s why prevention is so important. Hidden Hearing provide free hearing evaluations nationwide, and by taking a proactive approach to your hearing and having your hearing tested, you can establish a baseline of your hearing and better monitor any changes.
Remember - your hearing doesn’t have a reset button. But with a few simple changes, you can continue enjoying the sounds you love - without damaging your ears in the process.
Call into us in Cork City on Marlboro Street or Blackrock Hall Primary Care Centre, visit hiddenhearing.ie or phone us on 1800-370000 to arrange a free hearing test and thorough consultation.