Headset phones cause few risks to hearing loss
By Nick Hytrek nhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com | Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2008
Sioux City realtor Joe Krage talks on his cellular telephone using a Bluetooth earpiece. (Sioux City Journal photo by Tim Hynds)
Not too long ago, Verizon's television spokesman dominated the cell phone service provider's commercials with the phrase "Can you hear me now?"
As more and more people switch to Bluetooth telephone headsets to free their hands for something other than holding a cell phone, they should take the proper precautions to make sure they can hear the Verizon guy, or anyone else they wish to speak with.
In most cases, it doesn't appear that switching to the headset phones will lead to hearing damage.
"There's no research that shows permanent damage takes place," said Mike Sloniker, an audiologist and owner of Siouxland Hearing Healthcare. "The research that I have come across ... it's all based on the amount of time of use and volume it's set at."
Time and volume are the key factors, Sloniker said. Using a headset for eight hours or more at a loud volume for an extended period of time would likely lead to hearing loss.
"The biggest thing is wearing them at a comfortable level, not a loud level. If you're with a bystander and they can hear it, it's too loud," Sloniker said. "You should be able to carry on a conversation in a normal voice."
Consumers don't appear to be too concerned about whether the headsets pose a threat to their hearing.
David Heirigs, manager at RadioShack in Southern Hills Mall, said a headset's possible effect on hearing isn't one of the questions shoppers ask.
"If they're checking anything, it's if it will interfere with their hearing aid," Heirigs said.
Joe Krage, a Realtor with United Real Estate Solutions in Sioux City, said he had no worries about hearing damage when he bought his Motorola Jawbone headset a year ago. Because his job requires thousands of minutes on the phone, he was more concerned about having his hands free, especially when driving.
"It's kind of hard to hear because it's not loud enough a lot of times," Krage said.
Sloniker said it's possible that the industry will take steps to protect its customers. Some personal music players like iPods have decibel monitors that allow owners set a maximum volume level. Some also automatically turn off if they've been running for a certain amount of time.
Whether the headset phones will employ similar controls remains to be seen. In the meantime, Heirigs suggested those with the phones use their common sense.
"It's just like anything," he said. "If you have it blaring, there's going to be hearing loss down the road."
As more and more people switch to Bluetooth telephone headsets to free their hands for something other than holding a cell phone, they should take the proper precautions to make sure they can hear the Verizon guy, or anyone else they wish to speak with.
In most cases, it doesn't appear that switching to the headset phones will lead to hearing damage.
"There's no research that shows permanent damage takes place," said Mike Sloniker, an audiologist and owner of Siouxland Hearing Healthcare. "The research that I have come across ... it's all based on the amount of time of use and volume it's set at."
Time and volume are the key factors, Sloniker said. Using a headset for eight hours or more at a loud volume for an extended period of time would likely lead to hearing loss.
"The biggest thing is wearing them at a comfortable level, not a loud level. If you're with a bystander and they can hear it, it's too loud," Sloniker said. "You should be able to carry on a conversation in a normal voice."
Consumers don't appear to be too concerned about whether the headsets pose a threat to their hearing.
David Heirigs, manager at RadioShack in Southern Hills Mall, said a headset's possible effect on hearing isn't one of the questions shoppers ask.
"If they're checking anything, it's if it will interfere with their hearing aid," Heirigs said.
Joe Krage, a Realtor with United Real Estate Solutions in Sioux City, said he had no worries about hearing damage when he bought his Motorola Jawbone headset a year ago. Because his job requires thousands of minutes on the phone, he was more concerned about having his hands free, especially when driving.
"It's kind of hard to hear because it's not loud enough a lot of times," Krage said.
Sloniker said it's possible that the industry will take steps to protect its customers. Some personal music players like iPods have decibel monitors that allow owners set a maximum volume level. Some also automatically turn off if they've been running for a certain amount of time.
Whether the headset phones will employ similar controls remains to be seen. In the meantime, Heirigs suggested those with the phones use their common sense.
"It's just like anything," he said. "If you have it blaring, there's going to be hearing loss down the road."
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