by Christopher Heinz

Created on: April 29, 2009   Last Updated: May 28, 2009

The question should not be "Do headphones damage your hearing", but "Can headphones damage your hearing". It is safe to assume that any device that creates excessively loud sounds can damage your hearing. However, not all of these devices necessarily will damage your hearing, and not all of these devices must be excessively loud. If you are wondering if average use of headphones will damage your hearing, the answer is no. If you are wondering if listening to music at full volume will damage your hearing, the answer is possibly.

Most headphones come with a warning that listening to loud sounds may damage hearing. Obviously, you should consider this warning when you use them. However, it is much more difficult to damage your hearing than you may think. If a noise is loud enough to cause physical pain or discomfort, chances are it will damage your ears. After all, pain is your body's natural response to let you know when you are at risk. When you touch a hot pan, you automatically pull your hand back. If you did not, the heat would cause excessive burning and damage to your skin. Similarly, if a sound is so loud it's painful, your body is telling you that damage is happening.

If you use your headphones responsibly, even if they are loud, you should have no problems. Your ears are meant to receive and interpret sounds, even loud sounds. Regardless, no headphones will inflict immediate damage. Even if you do listen to painfully loud sounds, or close to it, the damage is not immediate. Any damage to your hearing is a wearing down of the ear's ability. It will not become apparent until old age. Just as your mind and body in general begin to lose function as you reach old age, so too does your hearing.
If you exercise your mind and body, you can stay as healthy and intelligent as you were in youth. Your hearing is no different. If you listen to excessively loud music your entire life, you will probably hear less as you become old. However, even if damaged, you will still hear, just not as well.

Another factor is the person himself. Some people have great hearing, others not so much. You may know some kids that wear glasses, as well as some people who didn't wear glasses in their youth, but now wear them. Some people naturally lose certain functions because of age. Some are born with functions of less quality than others. Hearing is no different. Someone can have great hearing as an adult, but horrible hearing when he ages further.
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