Headphones and Hearing Health: How Volume, ANC and Listening Time Matter

Headphones have become part of everyday life. People use them while commuting, working, exercising, gaming and relaxing. But the health risk associated with headphones is not mainly about the brand or model. It is about how loudly and how long they are used.

The World Health Organization says the volume, duration and frequency of exposure to loud sounds all affect the risk of hearing damage. Its current safe-listening guidance recommends keeping device volume below 60% of maximum and, when monitoring sound levels, staying below an average of 80 dB.

WHO gives a useful example: exposure to 80 dB can be considered safe for up to 40 hours a week, while at 90 dB the recommended safe listening time falls to four hours a week. This demonstrates why volume matters as much as listening duration.

Noise cancellation can actually be useful when used properly. Nothing says its Headphone (1) model supports active noise cancellation of up to 42 dB. In a noisy environment, effective ANC can reduce the need to increase music volume simply to overcome background noise.

However, ANC does not make loud music harmless. If the audio itself is played at an excessive level, the ears can still be exposed to damaging sound.

WHO recommends taking regular breaks from loud sounds and using well-fitted, noise-cancelling headphones when appropriate. It also advises users to pay attention to warning signs such as persistent ringing in the ears or difficulty hearing conversations.

The concern is significant enough that WHO estimates more than 1 billion young adults are at risk of avoidable permanent hearing loss because of unsafe listening practices.

For everyday headphone users, a few simple habits can help. Keep the volume below 60% where possible, take regular breaks and avoid increasing the volume to uncomfortable levels. If you are in a noisy environment, use properly fitted noise-cancelling headphones rather than simply turning up the sound.

If you notice persistent tinnitus, muffled hearing or difficulty following conversations, it is worth getting your hearing checked by a qualified professional.

Technology can make listening more comfortable, but the safest feature is still sensible listening behaviour.