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Protecting Your Ears in 2026: New Headphones and Safe Listening

As we kick off February 2026, many of you may have found a shiny new pair of headphones or earbuds under the tree at Christmas. While there is nothing quite like the immersive sound of a new device, it is the perfect time to talk about a resolution that often gets overlooked: protecting your hearing health.

At True Tone Hearing, we want you to enjoy your music and podcasts for a lifetime. However, with the high-quality output of modern headphones, it is incredibly easy to accidentally listen at levels that can cause permanent damage.

Understanding the Volume Trap

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that as volume increases, the “safe” window for listening shrinks dramatically:

  • The 85 dB Rule: Listening at 85 decibels (roughly the sound of heavy traffic) is safe for up to 8 hours.
  • The Danger Zone: Once you reach 100 dB (often the max volume on many devices), your safe listening time drops to just 15 minutes.
  • The “Noisy Environment” Risk: If you are using your new headphones to drown out a loud commute or a noisy gym (pushing volume to 106 dB), you could be risking hearing damage in as little as 4 minutes.

Better Headphone Habits

If you’ve noticed that you’re constantly “maxing out” your volume, or if you experience a ringing in your ears after taking your headphones off, it might be time for a check-up. Modern hearing technology is no longer just about amplification—it’s about protection and clarity.

Our Top Tips for 2026:

  1. Follow the 60/60 Rule: Listen at no more than 60% volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
  2. Invest in Noise-Cancelling: High-quality noise-cancelling headphones allow you to hear your audio clearly at lower, safer volumes without having to “battle” background noise.
  3. Get a Baseline Test: If you’re a regular headphone user, knowing your current hearing levels is essential.

Don’t let your new Christmas gift lead to long-term hearing issues. Start the year by being mindful of your decibels.

Ready to check your hearing health? Book a consultation at your local True Tone Hearing practice today.

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