Podcast Summary
Headphone use and hearing loss: Over a billion young adults are at risk of permanent hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices with headphones, as over half a billion pairs are sold annually and usage hours and volumes continue to increase
Our increasing reliance on headphones for listening to music, podcasts, and other media is raising concerns about the potential negative impact on our hearing. With over half a billion pairs sold in 2023, up from the number sold in 2013, more and more people are listening to devices for longer hours and at higher volumes. This trend is causing alarm, with the World Health Organization predicting that over a billion young adults are at risk of permanent hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. Researchers are now using advanced technology to study the effects of headphone use on our health, looking not only at the duration of listening but also the volume levels. Stay tuned for more insights on this topic.
Apple Hearing Study: Apple partners with the University of Michigan to study sound exposures and potential hearing effects through phone-delivered hearing tests.
Greenlight is a debit card and money app designed to help kids and teens learn financial skills, while AT&T Business provides security and reliability for new businesses. NPR sponsor AT&T Business also offers a podcast, "Planet Money," which simplifies complex economic news. Professor Rick Neitzel from the University of Michigan is leading the Apple Hearing Study, a partnership between Apple and the university, to understand sound exposures and potential health effects. The study aims to determine volume levels, listening duration, and environmental noise, as well as deliver hearing tests via phones. This research could help identify links between sound exposures and hearing changes.
Noise Exposure and Hearing Health: One-third of people are exposed to unsafe noise levels, Apple's default volume limit is higher than recommended, prolonged exposure is harmful, use noise-canceling features and limit listening volume, and temporary hearing loss can be self-tested with a podcast
We're exposed to higher noise levels and for longer durations than recommended, leading to potential negative impacts on our hearing health. The ongoing study reveals that about one-third of participants are exposed to unsafe noise levels from their environment. Apple's default volume limit on devices is set higher than recommended, and duration is a significant factor. Use noise-canceling features on headphones, especially in loud environments, and consider setting a limit on your listening volume. Remember, your ears can handle high sounds for short periods, but prolonged exposure is what we want to avoid. If you're still concerned, a simple self-hearing test can help determine temporary hearing loss. Before engaging in noisy activities, turn on a podcast at a low volume and test your hearing afterwards. If you can't hear the audio anymore, you may have suffered temporary hearing loss. Repeat the test the next day, and you should be able to hear the audio again.
Noise exposure: Excessive noise exposure can temporarily and permanently damage hearing, keep average noise exposure below 70 decibels, limit exposure time, and avoid chronic noise exposure to prevent cardiovascular diseases and hearing loss.
Excessive noise exposure can temporarily and permanently damage your hearing. This phenomenon is called a temporary threshold shift, where your ears become temporarily stunned and require more sound to hear normally. Repeated instances of this can lead to permanent hearing loss. To prevent this, it's recommended to keep your average noise exposure below 70 decibels, which is similar to normal conversation volume. Taking breaks from loud environments and limiting exposure time can also help. Chronic noise exposure can lead to cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure. It's important to be aware of your listening habits and assess how noise is affecting you. Occasional noise exposure and listening to music are okay, but it's crucial to keep exposures at a safe level to avoid potential harm. I will be implementing Rick's suggestions by setting my AirPods to a maximum of 75 decibels and using noise canceling mode in loud environments to protect my ears.
Hearing health tech: Apple and other companies release earbuds with advanced features for communication and health monitoring, raising concerns around privacy and constant connectivity.
Technology and health are increasingly interconnected, with companies like Apple recognizing the potential of portable devices to better understand our behavior and improve our lives, particularly in the area of hearing health. The newest earbuds from Apple and other companies offer features like speech detection and potential brainwave sensing, aiming to make them indispensable tools for communication and health monitoring. However, concerns around privacy and constant connectivity remain. To stay informed about the latest news and big stories, consider signing up for the Consider This newsletter from NPR, which delivers one major topic in a simple, easily digestible format each day. And for insights into the economic ideas that shape our lives, tune in to the Planet Money podcast.
Technology and Health: The Body Electric podcast provides inspiration, information, and practical tips on balancing technology use with health and well-being, featuring expert interviews, personal stories, and a quick start guide for those looking to take a break from screens and move more.
The Body Electric podcast, hosted by Manoush Zomorodi, offers listeners a weekly dose of inspiration and information on how to balance technology use with health and well-being. The podcast features interviews with experts, personal stories, and practical tips. For those looking to take a break from screens and move more, the podcast offers a quick start guide and a weekly newsletter. Listeners can also connect with Manoush on Instagram for additional resources and insights. The podcast covers topics such as the benefits of taking short breaks, the impact of technology on health, and personal experiences of living better with technology. The podcast is produced by NPR and is available on their website and various podcast platforms.