What is the reason why WHO warns "Music is up to one hour a day" and how to deal with it?

ByEric Wienke

I often see people who are listening to earphones in the streets or in trains, if you go outside, it seems that people with hearing loss are getting worse among people listening to music at a loud volume . I studied such hearing loss problemWorld Health Organization(WHO) calls "Let's listen to music by an hour on the day".

WHO | Make Listening Safe
http://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/activities/MLS/en/

BBC News - Cut music to 'an hour a day' - WHO
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-31661789

WHO warns that the noise of "loud volume" and "long time" such as audio players, concert bars, etc. is at risk of permanently damaging 1.1 billion young people worldwide forever. According to a survey by the WHO, about 43 million people aged 12 to 35 years of age experience music hearing loss. Also, among people aged 12 to 35 who are experiencing hearing loss, more than 50% of rich and middle-income countries use personal audio equipment at "unsafe noise level" In addition to that, about 40% of people are exposed to the level of the risk of hearing loss at clubs and bars.


In recent years, the proportion of teenagers who experienced hearing loss increased from 3.5% in 1994 to 5.3% in 2006. Dr. Etienges Krug, head of WHO's trauma prevention program, says, "It is important to lower the volume of the audio player, but making it less than an hour to listen to music on the day,Noise exposureIt is a way to deal with it. " Also, it seems dangerous even if it is within 1 hour if the volume is too high.

The greater the dB (decibel) representing the size of the sound, the higher the possibility of losing hearing, but the place where "how much sound is safe?" Therefore, WHO lists "safe music listening time per dB" based on dB.

85 dB (car internal noise): 8 hours
90 dB (lawn mowers): 2 hours 30 minutes
95 dB (average motorcycle): 47 minutes
100 dB (car horn or subway): 15 minutes
105 dB (maximum volume of MP3 player): 4 minutes
115 dB (rock concert loud volume): 28 seconds
120 dB (Vuvuzela, Or siren): 9 seconds

Even at the noise level of the subway it is dangerous to keep listening for more than 15 minutes, but music is one of entertainment as well as alcohol, so it may be difficult to refrain from just because it is "dangerous". Therefore, Dr. Cruq urges the understanding of personal responsibility, and also responds to government and manufacturers, including restrictions on volume control of headphones, "establish quiet rest room in club" It is said that it is necessary.

ByHilary Perkins

Furthermore, WHO recommends "60% of the maximum volume of each audio equipment" as a rough indication of the volume when listening to music normally. If you are concerned about ambient noises by train or airplane, you can hear music firmly even with a small volume by using noise canceling headphones or earphones. Also, at the volume of the rock concert, it is said to be dangerous if you stay at the site for more than 28 seconds, but suggesting a way to wear earplugs and take a break away from volume sources such as speakers and stages in between. It is done.