Listening to music through MP3 players even at moderate volume levels can result in permanent impairment to hearing, a leading audiologist warned on the International Noise Awareness Day (April 27).
“MP3 players have become extremely popular now, particularly with youngsters, but many people are not aware just how easy it is to permanently damage their hearing if they are used for extended periods,” said Dr A V Riza, audiologist at Dubai-based Medcare Hospital, a multi-specialty hospital.
“While it’s perfectly fine to listen to music over short periods of time using these players – or other devices with in-ear pieces or headphones – users should be aware that it’s not just the level of volume that should be a consideration, but also the length of time spent for each session,” he added.
Sound pressure levels are measured in decibels and listening to music at 90 decibels for eight hours will cause definite hearing loss. Ninety decibels is the equivalent of a lawnmower, or traffic on a busy highway, or the subway, and this sound pressure level can be sustained for around eight hours before damage to the cells of the cochlear – or inner ear – occurs, he explained.
Dr Riza added that MP3 players or similar appliances are safe to use with their volume set at 50 per cent. At 60 per cent, he says, music can be listened to for five hours and with the volume is at 90 per cent, the time should be limited to just 10–15 minutes only.
