The practice of keeping sound exposure at levels and durations that reduce the risk of hearing damage and other adverse effects.
Safe listening applies to personal audio devices, concerts, clubs, workplaces, recreational activities, and other situations involving sound. The risk of hearing injury depends on both how loud the sound is and how long a person is exposed.
Safe listening involves managing several factors rather than focusing only on volume. Lowering the volume, limiting exposure time, taking breaks, increasing distance from loud sources, and using appropriate hearing protection can all reduce risk.
WHO‘s safe-listening guidance emphasizes that the amount of sound exposure a person receives depends on both how loud the sound is and how long the exposure lasts.
QUICK FACT
A sound does not have to cause pain to be capable of damaging hearing.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Sound exposure: the actual exposure to sound; safe listening describes practices intended to reduce harmful exposure.
- Hearing protection: devices or measures such as earplugs or earmuffs that reduce sound reaching the ears.
SEE ALSO