Best Practices for Headphone Use – Headphones have become an unseparated part of daily life. We use these to listen to music, converse with friends and family, and attend official calls.
Not following general guidelines can not only cause damage to you but can also irritate the person on the other end of the call.
Covid has brought in a digital revolution, and the use of headsets and earplugs has become an integral part of our life as most of us are either working from home or taking online classes for children.
Here is some point that will ensure an excellent healthy experience with your headphones.
Table of Contents
1. Lower the volume
Listening to music at a high volume will cause damage to your delicate eardrums. Keep the volume at a half level and adjust the volume based on your environment. For example, you may want to increase the sound while in traffic and reduce it at home. This is probably the most important rule when using headphones.
Remember, high volume can cut you off from the surrounding sound and make you unaware of the dangers around you. It has been noted that a high number of road accidents occur since the pedestrian did not notice the car speeding on the road since the pedestrian was wearing headsets and listening to music.
2. Wear noise-canceling headphones
Noise cancellation headphones reduce the sound from outside, and you can have an immersive experience.
It also cuts the static and technical error sounds, and you will only receive good quality sound. Ensure that the headset you are using has this feature.
These are a must, especially for those attending office calls. However, ensure to control the sound as mentioned above and be aware of your surroundings. Most of the recent headsets come with a Noise cancellation feature by default.
3. Choose headphones over earbuds
Earbuds have become very popular as they sit easily inside the ear and are very compact to carry. However, this is a hazard as earbuds go very close to the eardrums, and the vibration cause can damage your eardrums and cause damage to your ears in the long run.
Use a headphone as it sits on top of the ear and is a relatively safer option. This is one of the most important Best Practices for Headphone Use.
4. Use headphones in both ears
It is recommended to use the headphones in both ears as it balances the sound and does not load one ear.
Only using the headphone in one ear can cause long-term damage as you tend to increase the sound since the other ear is open. This is a simple rule but it has many benefits.
5. Adopt the 30/30 minute rule
Continued exposure of the sound to your ears from a headphone or earplug can damage the inner structure of your ear.
It’s always better to rest your ears after 30 or 60 minutes of use. If on a phone call, try to keep your conversations short and finish them within 30 minutes.
6. Set a volume limit
Volume is the main reason for damage to the ears. Ensure you keep the volume as low as required. Do not unnecessarily increase the volume.
You will need to make this a habit that will benefit you in the long run. You can enjoy music at half the volume too. This is another crucial Best Practice for Headphone Use.
7. Check your ears regularly with an ENT
Prevent tinnitus or other hearing issues, and check your hearing regularly by an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat physician (ENT). Early detection of ear problems can save your ears, and you can get treated earlier instead of getting to know about the issues after the damage is done.
8. Do not share earphones
Earphones sit directly into your ears and can collect infections and germs. As hygiene, ensure not to use someone else earphones as the infection can get transferred through the earphone to you.
9. Use branded and good-quality headsets
Many cheap and low-cost headphones are available on Amazon and other online shopping networks. Most people use headphones and AirPods a lot throughout the day. Low-cost headphones may not have health-related features like echo cancellation, sound optimization, etc. It’s an investment worth your health and a dollar well spent.
10. Prefer wired headsets over wireless
Technically the blue tooth headset is prone to picking up static and can cause breaking sound for the audience on the other end. This gives a poor experience.
Wired headsets or earphones have proven to provide a better quality of sound output, and the mic provides stable sound. Although it is a bit uncomfortable, it is a healthier option.
11. Etiquiets of using headphones on call
Etiquettes, while using headsets, are not taught anywhere. This is sometimes underestimated. However, one should keep note of this.
1. Know where the mute button is. In case you are in a noisy place, you can mute when you are now talking. Unmute when needed.
2. Do not speak loudly in the mic. This can be very unpleasant to the person on the other side.
3. Do not speak when others are talking, as it will be challenging to have a conversation.
4. Check your environment – Remember your mic is very sensitive and can pick up small environment sound and amplify it. You may not notice, but the person on the other end can hear your ambiance sound very loud.
Conclusion
Headphones and Earphones have become inseparable in our life, especially after Covid, where digital communication and work from home have become a norm. This has introduced new health problems which get ignored as they are not very obvious. It would help to choose the right headset to set it up as per the best practice. If possible, this will prevent long-term permanent damage to our ears; use blue tooth speakers instead of headsets or earplugs, and always follow these Best Practices for Headphone Use.
