Listen. Hear!
3 April 2009
Listen. Hear! is a new campaign designed to make people think twice about the way they listen to music, so that what they hear today will not be gone tomorrow.
It sets out simple suggestions for safer listening, offering guidelines on volume, protecting your hearing at gigs and concerts, listening to music ‘on-the-go’ and recommended listening time limits, plus tips on maintaining ear health.
The campaign is produced by Deafness Research UK and Hear Here! - the UK’s first classical music project dedicated to listening. Hear Here! is presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society and Classic FM, and supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
A special action line is available free of charge on 0808 808 2222 for those who may be affected by the issues raised by Listen. Hear! or would like further information on hearing problems, including tinnitus.
Top tips for safer listening and making the most of music
Know the facts
80% of deafness is caused by damage to the tiny hair cells in the inner ear. Fish, amphibians and birds can regenerate these cells but in humans this damage is permanent. Aim for prevention - There is NO cure!
Further information: What is inner ear hearing loss?
Remember: maximum space, moderate time, minimal volume
The longer and louder you listen to music the more likely it is to damage your hearing. Listening to music in a confined space such as a car also increases the risk. Alter listening habits to suit the surroundings and don’t listen too long, too loud.
Further information: How loud is too loud?
60 a day goes a long way
Adopt the 60:60 rule: Only use your MP3 player at 60% of its maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes a day. Moderate the volume on home hi-fis: if you need to raise your voice to be heard above the music, turn it down.
Further information: Using MP3 and MP3-enabled players safely
Invest in the best
Opt for noise cancelling headphones, or go retro with older muff-type headphones. Ear-bud style headphones are less effective at drowning out background noise so it’s tempting to crank up the volume, especially on transport.
Further information: Which headphones should I use?
Plug in
Worn correctly, earplugs can reduce average sound levels by between 15 and 35 decibels. They are widely available at many live music venues and are suitable for those on and off the stage. Some instruments produce damagingly loud sound; when making music, be aware of the sound level of your instrument, and those around you.
Further information: Earplugs
Enjoy an aural detox
Give your ears time to recover after exposure to excessive noise. Spending around two hours in 100 decibel sound e.g. in a club, needs at least 16 hours of rest for the ears to recover. Reducing this recovery time increases the risk of permanent deafness.
Further information: Tips for lessening the impact of loud noise on your ears
Know your listening rights
If you work in a noisy environment, including in the music or leisure industries, check out the Noise at Work regulations on the HSE website.
Further information: Know your listening rights
Treat ‘em kind
Don’t use cotton buds to clean your ears. Instead, put a drop of olive oil in each ear once a week to help wax exit naturally.
Further information: Top tips for healthy ears
Take heed of change
Do you have trouble hearing conversation against background noise, understanding higher pitched sounds or feel that people often mumble? Be aware of the first signs of hearing loss.
Further information: The first signs of hearing loss
Don’t wait until it’s too late
Act now and get medical help if you think your hearing is not as good as it used to be. You benefit more from being fitted with a hearing aid while a hearing loss is relatively mild.
Further information: Why early action for a hearing loss is important
