5 Simple Ways to Check If Your Headphones are Too Loud

Volume-up makes their music sounds more “fun” and immersive. Photo: iOS Gadget Hacks

Humans, by nature, love to switch up the volume. It makes their music sounds more “fun” and immersive. This is why headphones with v-shaped sound signature are popular. But, are you aware of the risks involved by constantly tuning into loud volumes? Do you even know what the recommended listening volumes are? Most phones, computers and music devices have a warning that lets you know if you’re exceeding the recommended decibels. There’s also noise-canceling headphones that can help reduce sound waves that can be harmful to your hearing.

But let KnowInsider introduce you to 5 other ways you can do to test if your headphones are too loud!

1. Remove your headphones and listen from a distance

Remove your headphones and hold them out in front of you or place them on a surface nearby. If you can hear the music clearly and loudly, your headphones are too loud. Reduce the volume level and try again. Continue to do this until you can only just make out sounds from the headphones. Remember to take breaks when listening to music with your headphones, according to Hearing Sense.

2. Check the volume control

There is no denying that some music is best listened to at louder levels. And it’s so simple to crank up the volumes when your favorite track begins to play. It is important, though, to get into positive habits by ensuring that the volume stays below the halfway mark, Deafblind.org.co.uk cites.

Photo: Guiding Tech

If you find it creeping up to over two-thirds of the volume control or over 60%, then it is too much for your ears. Hearing loss may not occur overnight, but you can prevent it from happening by monitoring those volumes on a regular basis.

3. Look out for signs of hearing loss

You may already be experiencing symptoms of hearing loss and don’t realize it. Look out for symptoms such as:

- Ringing, clicking, roaring, hissing or buzzing in the ears

- Difficulty in hearing at rowdy venues

- Muffled sounds

- An increasing need to keep turning the volume up

4. Find a quiet space

If you’ve been listening to music for a few hours. Find a quiet space and see if you notice any ringing in your ears. If you do, take that as a sign that your headphone volume needs to be reduced.

FUN FACT: Did you know that classical music can be more damaging than rock music. Research has shown that about 30% of rock musicians have a hearing loss, and about 52% of classical musicians suffer from this problem.

5. Measure the sound level with a Sound Meter

94 decibels is the average sound level for personal audio devices. Photo: Cirrus Research plc

A sound meter or a decibel meter is a device to measure sound levels in decibels. With this device, you can make use of the decibel chart above to measure if your headphones are too loud for you.

Take note that although it says 94 decibels is the average sound level for personal audio devices, it is still pretty damn loud. Keeping the sound level 10 – 20 decibels below that level will give your ears much relief in the long term.

Sound meters are also not exactly very accurate but it gives a good gauge. The sound projected into your ears vs the sound picked up by the meter can potentially be very different. Take the measurement with a pinch of salt.

Take a break where possible and keep the volume as low as you can to maintain your auditory enjoyment. It might also be in your best interests to opt for noise-cancellation headphones. Noise-cancellation headphones reduce the amount of ambient noise making it easier to listen to lower volumes.

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