Now listen to this.
Audiology experts are sounding the alarm about noise-canceling earbuds and headphones, saying blocking out ambient noise can affect the way your brain processes sound, making you less aware of your surroundings. warns the user.
“Noise-cancelling earphones may provide a welcome sense of silence, but they can also mask important, life-saving sounds,” said Josh Gordon, head of innovation at Singapore technology company Geonode. . he told FOX News Digital last week..
Exposure to loud noises for long or extreme periods of time may cause hearing loss This is because loud noises can damage the cells and membranes of the inner ear.In addition to hearing loss, there is also noise pollution. linked to These include increased stress, high blood pressure, disrupted sleep, and decreased productivity.
According to the report, adults can safely listen to 80 decibels of noise for up to 40 hours a week. who. The sound of a motorcycle’s engine while driving is about 95 decibels, while the horn that signals an approaching subway train or sporting event has a noise level of about 100 decibels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Noise-cancelling headphones can cut noise by 20 to 40 decibels, Gordon said. However, this technology is not without risks.
“There are situations in which noise-canceling headphones can be helpful, as loud sounds can damage your hearing,” says David McAlpine, academic director of the School of Audiology at Macquarie University in Australia. he told Gizmodo last month.. “At the same time, the background noise that characterizes the soundscape is important for orienting oneself in the environment.”
noise canceling headphone market It is expected to increase from $13.1 billion in 2021 to $45.4 billion by 2031. McAlpine thought that “big tech companies” seemed to be solving hearing problems by “creating hearing problems.”
One of McAlpine’s colleagues Survey conducted in 2012 In this study, 17 participants were asked to wear earplugs for one week. Among them, he developed tinnitus in 11 people. This is when you hear a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ear when no actual noise is present. When they removed the earplugs, the ringing disappeared.
“When you stop putting sound into your ears, your brain overcompensates by increasing its internal gain.” McAlpine explained to the Guardian last year:. “It completely changes your neural pathways – we know that. Tinkering with the sound energy that goes into your ear is tantamount to tinkering with what the brain evolved to do.”
McAlpine recommends using noise-canceling headphones in noisy workplaces such as construction sites, the military, concerts, or cafes to prevent hearing loss.
Dr. Ruth Reisman, a clinical audiologist and hearing aid distributor in New York state, told Fox News Digital that the technology could also help people with hyperacusis (a rare hearing disorder) and autism.
She recommends limiting use to two to three hours per day.
Joel Smith, a California-based audio expert and founder of music hub AllAxess.com, also warns Fox News Digital that earbuds can trap sweat and moisture in your ears, leading to ear infections. Did.
This is how earphones should be Clean at least once a week Remove wax and debris with a soft-bristled brush and kill viruses, bacteria, and fungi with alcohol wipes.
“I don’t think people need to avoid [noise-canceling headphones] But we need to use it responsibly,” Smith said.
