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Health and Safety Information 170
Responsible Listening
Individual susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss and potential hearing problem
varies. Additionally, the amount of sound produced by a portable audio device varies
depending on the nature of the sound, the device settings, and the headphones that
are used. As a result, there is no single volume setting that is appropriate for
everyone or for every combination of sound, settings and equipment. You should
follow some commonsense recommendations when using any portable audio
device:
• Set the volume in a quiet environment and select the lowest volume at which you
can hear adequately.
• When using headphones, turn the volume down if you cannot hear the people
speaking near you or if the person sitting next to you can hear what you are
listening to.
• Do not turn the volume up to block out noisy surroundings. If you choose to listen
to your portable device in a noisy environment, you noise-cancelling headphones
to block out background environmental noise. By blocking background
environment noise, noise cancelling headphones should allow you to hear the
music at lower volumes than when using earbuds.
• Limit the amount of time you listen. As the volume increases, less time is required
before you hearing could be affected.
• Avoid using headphones after exposure to extremely loud noises, such as rock
concerts, that might cause temporary hearing loss. Temporary hearing loss might
cause unsafe volumes to sound normal.
• Do not listen at any volume that causes you discomfort. If you experience ringing in
your ears, hear muffled speech or experience any temporary hearing difficulty
after listening to your portable audio device, discontinue use and consult your
doctor.
You can obtain additional information on this subject from the following sources:
American Academy of Audiology
11730 Plaza American Drive, Suite 300
Reston, VA 20190
Voice: (800) 222-2336
Email: info@audiology.org
Internet: www.audiology.org