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Using MP3 and MP3 enabled players safely
Research by Deafness Research UK indicates that too many people are putting their hearing at risk by listening to their MP3 player too loudly and for too long.
There are simple ways to reduce your risk. Our top tips include:
- Always use the noise limiter on your MP3 player
- Parents should look for a locking feature on the player and use it to set the maximum volume using a special code
- Check that your player is not one with a maximum volume that exceeds statutory and Health & Safety limits
- Adopt the 60:60 rule - only use your MP3 player at 60% of its maximum volume for 60 minutes a day. In other words, the higher the volume, the shorter time you should listen.
- Never have your MP3 player so loud that you can’t hear the noise around you
- Never have it so loud that those around you can hear your music! If they can, it’s loud enough to damage your ears.
- Ear bud headphones are less efficient at drowning out background noise so it’s tempting to turn up the volume. Use sound isolating earphones, muff-type over-the-ear headphones or noise cancelling headphones instead (see Which headphones should I use?)
Current European Union legislation on the power output of ‘portable audio equipment’ with headphone use means the maximum volume personal music players can reach is currently 100 dBA (decibels) – equivalent to a pneumatic drill heard from four metres away.
However, the European Commission may recommend a reduction in the maximum legal volume of portable players after a report from the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks said that there was a danger from long
Last updated on 26th March 2012
