New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Causes of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss vary, but the most common is continuous exposure to playback levels over 85 dB (decibels), the level at which OSHA has set as the safety benchmark for crossing into hearing loss territory.
Are Americans losing their hearing? According to the
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the answer is increasingly "yes."
The NIDCD estimates that approximately 15 percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 69 — about 26 million people — suffer from a condition known as NIHL (Noise-Induced Hearing Loss) that can be caused by listening to music at unsafe levels through ear buds or headphones. And, more disturbingly, as many as 16 percent of teens (ages 12 to 19) have reported some hearing loss, according to a 2010 report based on a survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Causes of NIHL vary, but the most common is continuous exposure to playback levels over 85 dB (decibels), the level at which OSHA has set as the safety benchmark for crossing into hearing loss territory.
Recent research shows that, in today's world, where devices like iPhones and Android phones have the ability to play music at levels as high as 110 dB, there is an alarming increase in the number of reported cases of NIHL. This condition can lead to permanent hearing loss and tinnitus (a constant irreversible ringing in the ears) due to loud music exposure.
To help address the troubling trend in the rise of NIHL, U.S.A.-based headphone manufacturer Direct Sound has introduced its YourTones
Total Hearing Protection headphones. Direct Sound is a member of the ATA (American Tinnitus Association) and supporter of H.E.A.R. Net (Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers).
YourTones
Total Hearing Protection headphones limit music playback to 85 dB, the level at which OSHA has deemed as safe for extended listening. So, even if the volume on a player is set to play louder, YourTones will keep the volume at 85 dB, with no loss of tone quality.
The introduction of YourTones headphones is good news for music lovers of all ages, and particularly for parents of young adults - those who are most susceptible to early hearing damage due to loud music playback.
Available in blue, green, pink or black-themed color options, YourTones headphones provide a healthy and high-quality music playback option over standard headphones. YourTones incorporate the same over-the-ear isolation design and audio circuitry built into the company's EX-29 and EX-25 Extreme Isolation headphones that are widely used by professional musicians in the recording studio.
YourTones feature passive noise attenuation of 34 dB, which effectively isolates external noise such as traffic, sirens and other sounds. These external sounds can cause a user to turn up playback to drown out the sounds of external noises. Essentially, the 34 dB of isolation in YourTones allows a listener to enjoy music at lower volumes, longer, which has long-term hearing benefits.
Featuring a rugged patented Incrediflex headband designed to withstand normal wear and tear, YourTones headphones fold up into a compact bundle for easy transport.
Priced at under $120 retail, YourTones
Total Hearing Protection headphones from Direct Sound offer music lovers of all ages the ability to enjoy high quality music playback without worrying about long-term hearing damage.
