Things to Do

Is it too loud?

By Lea Holland
June 5, 2011

Headphone users who crank up the volume for more than 90 minutes per day risk permanent hearing loss.

But how loud is too loud? Do these sound checks: Limit volume level to 70 percent — estimate this on your MP3 player screen, or mark it on the dial, and resist going past this point. Turn your TV to normal listening volume, put on the headphones and limit the music to the point at which you can still hear the TV.

Consider: Could your music drown out a hair-dryer, a lawn mower, a jet plane or an ambulance? If so — yup, it's too loud.

About the Author

Lea Holland

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