Disclosure: I have been compensated for this sponsored guest post but my thoughts and opinions are always my own. See more below post.

 Are Your Child’s Headphones Too Loud?

I’ve often wondered what affect headphone use has on our ears and what level of sound is a “safe” level. In today’s world, where the use of headphones is more popular than ever, it’s important to know and talk about safe headphone use.  MD Hearing Aid has created this article and safety info-graphic to help show you and your children what concerns are associated with using headphones and how to use them safely. It’s simple, yet full of information. Share this article and the infographic at the bottom of the page with your friends and family. Encourage your children (especially teenagers) to use headphones safely and preserve their hearing.

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Ever had that moment where you’re trying to talk to your teenager, but they can’t hear you over the blast of their headphones? Annoying, yes- but it’s also potentially causing hearing loss in your teenager. After all, 81% of teenagers listen to music with headphones, and rate of hearing loss among today’s teens is about 30% higher than it was in the 19080s and 1990s. However, only 8% of adolescents believe that hearing loss is a major health concern, likely because they don’t realize the damage it can cause in the future.

With hearing loss becoming more and more widespread among teenagers- 46% of teens show potential signs of hearing loss, and one in six teens report that they experience hearing loss symptoms some or all of the time- it’s time to educate teenagers about using headphones safely.

First, review the basics of how hearing loss happens with your teenager: sound travels through the ears and vibrates through various passages, eventually reaching hair-like cells in the inner ear. Excessive noise kills these hair cells, which causes hearing loss. We can’t grow these hair cells back, so once they’re gone, they’re gone- something many teenagers have a hard time understanding.

Next, offer your teenager some guidelines for using headphones safely. Since hearing loss can occur after as few as eight minutes of listening, ask your teenager to follow the 60/60 rule: listen to no more than 60 minutes of music at a time at no louder than 60% volume. They should be able to hear someone speaking at a conversational tone from about three feet away while using headphones.

Finally, help your teenager avoid using earbuds, which are closer to the ear drum and more dangerous than headphones. With these guidelines for using headphones, your teenager will no longer be able to use the excuse of “I didn’t hear you” when you ask them to do something!

Disclosure: This is a paid guest post. All opinions expressed above are those of the writer and are in no way influenced by companies or brands mentioned within.  Post and page may contain affiliate links and advertising. Thank you for clicking through them! It helps keep 4 The Love Of Family here for you