Noise and Vibration Control: Headphone Health Impact Analysis

This report analyzes the health impacts of listening to music through earphones, covering sound isolation and noise cancellation technologies, comparing their effectiveness and power requirements. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both headphones and earphones from acoustic and non-acoustic perspectives, including portability, sound quality, and potential damage to hearing and the brain. The study method's limitations are addressed, focusing on the accuracy of sound level measurements and the impact of different music genres. The report calculates safe listening durations based on exposure levels and provides a table summarizing the relationship between pre-set volume levels and safe listening times. It highlights the serious health risks associated with high-volume headphone use, citing studies on hearing loss and potential brain damage. The report concludes by suggesting five strategic interventions to mitigate these health impacts, such as turning down the volume and limiting listening time, supported by research findings.

Listening to music through earphones and its health impact
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note
Question 1:
Sound isolating headphone minimizes the loudness of the sound waves entering into
ear by creating physical restrictions, where noise cancelling headphone creates a physical
restriction along with a wave destruction process for more effective noise reduction. Noise

cancellation headphone is a significant advancement over the sound isolating headphone and
it has been done through using sound destruction mechanism (Lee 2013).
In sound isolating headphone, various sound wave restriction systems are used. First
sound blockage is done by covering the user’s ear by a foam and rubber like material that can
isolate the ear canal from the surrounding sounds by creating a physical blockage. Secondly,
noise absorbing materials are also used in the sound isolating headphone, so that when the
sound wave impacts on the headphone material it can absorb the magnitude of the sound
(Gresko et al. 2013). Therefore, for sound isolating headphone physical restriction and sound
absorption are the two methods that used for minimising the perceived noise level. However,
in noise cancelling headphones these two methods used in noise isolating headphones are
already used along with an additional sound wave destruction method. The noise cancelling
headphone is mounted with an electronics device that can sense the sound of the surroundings
and generate sound-wave of exact magnitude with inverse phase (Jang et al. 2014). This
inversely phased sound wave is superimposed on the incoming sound wave and it creates a
destructive interference. It makes a more accurate and more effective noise minimisation
process than sound isolating headphone.
The sound isolation headphone can minimize the external noise by 10 to 25 decibels.
Hence, where the ambient sound is 80 decibel, noise isolation can make it as low as 65
decibel (Sim, et al. 2013). However, the noise cancelation headphone can destruct the
external sound wave completely and can make the perceived magnitude of the sound at
approximately 0 decibel. Therefore, in an ambient sound of 50 to 60 decibel such as sound of
traffic or music player or distant concert sound isolation headphone can work. However for
louder ambient sound such as 70 to 120 decibel, such as in industrial operations, machine and
equipment handing the noise cancellation headphone can work very effectively (Gresko et al.
2013). However, to develop an opposite phased wave noise cancellation headphone needs

battery power for executing the mechanism however sound isolating headphone does need
any kind of power supply.
Question 2:
The headphones and earphones are two categories of same accessories where the
headphone implies the overhead accessories with larger ear covering and earphone implies
the smaller ear plugs. Both have set of advantages and disadvantages from acoustics and non-
acoustics perspectives.
Headphones have the greatest advantage that they're hands-free. The user can perform
any other trouble-free job. For certain headphones there are buttons like the volume button,
forward button or back button. Not only that, the user can very easily select calls in one press.
There's no question wearing headphones is always easy for us. When playing a song the user
does not annoy other users. Even the Headphone description says, "Use it over the ear." The
user can go jogging, walking, and more. Just place them inside the user's bag or even hold
them in the user's hand, they are easy to carry (Kuskin and Harrington-Knopf 2016). The
headphones come in various sizes. When the user goes to the market or shopping site, then
the user can notice a lot of trendy headphones are available. There are classic, sleek, and
commercial and there are other styles of headphones on the market. The user should fit dress
to the colour of the headphones. The headphones attach to any computer that has a 3.5mm
port. It can't only be used by the user with the smartphones but can also be used with the
machine, car, gaming console or any other music device. It's the headphones' greatest asset.
It's like a computer which is fully compatible with any Gadget. If the user has wired
headphones, then within 1-2 metres, he or she can do his or her job without any trouble.

Unless the user has wireless headphones, by placing the headphones on the ear to do some
other job, he or she can switch here under 8-9 meters (DING et al., 2018). Wireless
headphones are perfect for jogging, or for daily activities. The headphone is also very
effective in isolating the user from the ambient sound and noise while creating a calming
acoustic atmosphere and relaxing it.
There are also major disadvantage of using the headphones and earphones as well.
Which happens sometimes is that we don't take care of the headphone port. Therefore, if the
user move on to use it to play any music on it, then the user can easily find it as
dysfunctional. Since the jack gets hurt, and any conceivable irresponsibility that the user has
done damages it. When the user has a wired headphone, the user has to keep remember about
not to stretch the cables (Kuskin and Harrington-Knopf 2016). This may also be the reason
why headphones do not fit. If the user goes to the store or the online shopping site then user
can see that there are higher quality headphones at a very high price available. Cheap
headphones cannot give user the quality of sound they can offer and on the other hand
branded headphones are expensive. It has been medically proven that headphones can
damage the functionality of user’s ear and affect several sections of human body. Overusing
of headphone with loud sound can also affect user’s brain (DING et al., 2018). It is well
known that similar to some other devices that allows listening to some music the wireless
headphones also consume some battery. Therefore recharging headphones is another major
contain of using headphones that are wireless.

Question 3:
(a)
There are two limitations of the study method. First one is the LAeq or equivalent
continues A-weighted sound pressure level for 1 minutes. Since the average music hearing
duration is more than 5 minutes, instead of measuring LAeq for 1 minute measuring LAeq for
5 minutes could make more accuracy (hse.gov.uk., 2005). The second limitation of this study
is that the study only collects results for rick music, where the different genres of music can
cause different level of LAeq, such as soft jazz or blues music can create much less LAeq
than rock music.
(b)
For conventional measures LAeq is the equivalent continues A-weighted sound
pressure level for time t in seconds. LEP is the level of exposure because of duration of
exposure d in seconds. Therefore as per the ISO regulation and the Control of Noise at Work
Regulations 2005 the equation of measuring exposure level for the duration d is:
LEP,d = LAeq,t + 10log10(d/t) ………………………………………….(1)
In this question we have to found the value of d for the other given constants
Therefore from the equation 1 we can take only the d at left hand side the following formula
has been developed from the equation 1.
Or, log10(d/t) = (LEP - LAeq)/10
Or, d/t= 10^{((LEP - LAeq)/10}
Or, d= t * [10^{((LEP - LAeq)/10}]………………………….(2)
Here, equation 2 will be used to measure the maximum time they could spend wearing the
earphones.

In order to find the maximum duration for all LAeq, the LEP will be the A-weighted personal
noise exposure limit which is 87 dB. Therefore LEP will be always 87 dB.
The LAeq is measured and adjusted as per 1 minute of 60 seconds. Therefore, t will be always
60 seconds.
In the following section the resultant d values for the adobe constants and for all different
LAeq values have been presented.
For, LAeq= 78.7
d=60*[10^{((87 – 78.7)/10}]
or, d= 60*[10^0.83]
or, d= 60 * 6.760
or, d= 405.6
Therefore, the maximum time in minute 406 seconds will be approximately 7 minutes
For, LAeq= 75.3
d=60*[10^{((87 – 75.3)/10}]
or, d= 60*[10^1.17]
or, d= 60 * 14.971
or, d= 887.465
Therefore, the maximum time in minute from 887.465 seconds will be approximately 15
minutes
For, LAeq= 72.8
d=60*[10^{((87 – 72.8)/10}]
or, d= 60*[10^1.42]

or, d= 60 * 26.303
or, d= 1578.161
Therefore, the maximum time in minute from 1578.161 seconds will be approximately 26
minutes
For, LAeq= 67.3
d=60*[10^{((87 – 67.3)/10}]
or, d= 60*[10^1.97]
or, d= 60 * 93.325
or, d= 5599.526
Therefore, the maximum time in minute from 5599.526 seconds will be approximately 93
minutes
For, LAeq= 65.0
d=60*[10^{((87 – 65)/10}]
or, d= 60*[10^2.2]
or, d= 60 * 158.489
or, d= 9509.359
Therefore, the maximum time in minute from 9509.359 seconds will be approximately 159
minutes
For, LAeq= 63.0
d=60*[10^{((87 – 63)/10}]
or, d= 60*[10^2.4]

or, d= 60 * 251.189
or, d= 15071.319
Therefore, the maximum time in minute from 15071.319 seconds will be approximately 251
minutes
For, LAeq= 59.1
d=60*[10^{((87 – 59.1)/10}]
or, d= 60*[10^2.79]
or, d= 60 * 616.595
or, d= 36995.7
Therefore, the maximum time in minute from 36995.7 seconds will be approximately 617
minutes
For, LAeq= 56.8
d=60*[10^{((87 – 56.8)/10}]
or, d= 60*[10^3.02]
or, d= 60 * 1047.129
or, d= 62827.713
Therefore, the maximum time in minute from 62827.713seconds will be approximately 1047
minutes
Therefore, with above found maximum durations the table for pre-set volume level and the
respective maximum time limit for exposure will be as the following:
Pre-set volume level
(expressed as percentage
Sound level in manikin
ear LAeq,1min (dB)
maximum could be
spend according to
the Control of Noise

of the maximum level) at Work Regulations
2005 (minutes)
100 78.7 7
94 75.3 15
88 72.8 26
82 67.3 93
75 65.0 159
68 63.0 251
63 59.1 617
56 56.8 1047
(c)
Headphones are usually used to listening music while keeping the user isolated from
any ambient sound. A large number of headphone user uses high volume level while listening
to feel more emerged into the music. However, from the above table it can be seen that
increasing the volume level of headphone increases the sound exposure level rapidly. It can
be found from the above table in section (b) that even smallest increment of volume like 94 to
100 reduces the non-risk exposed time by half (15 to 7) and increases the resultant LEX
exposure level by double. Using head-phones with risky exposure level can cause both long
term and short term health problems. According to a study published in 2013 by the Journal
of Archive of acoustics it has been found that the user of headphones and earphones can lead
to a major increase and prevalence of hearing loss in adolescents and young adults
(DOBRUCKI and Maurycy 2013). From the study it has been found that prolonged time
exposure to the loud headphone sound can damage the functionality of inner year. Prolonged
used of headphones with high exposure level can lead to permanent hearing impairment.
According to Singh (2013), plugging Bluetooth headphone in ear or over the ear makes the

ears exposed to the electro-magnetic radiation. The amount of radiation emitted from these
earphone and headphone devices can cause harmful impact on brain. Therefore, prolonged
period of exposure to these radiation can also lead to brain tumour and even brain cancer.
Question 4:
The health impacts of headphone use are serous and for prolonged time use can lead
to permanent health conditions. However, there are certain ways prescribed and supported by
various researches that can mitigate or reduce the health impact of the headphone use.
Among these many ways there are five strategic interventions that have been proven as the
most effective processes (Widen et al. 2017).
Turning down the volume is a really helpful process to reduce the health impact of
using headphones. From the analysis and tabular presentation in section (b) of question 2, it
can be found that learning down the volume can rapidly decrease the exposure risk or LEx and
can increase the safe time limit of hearing. Always keeping the volume below the 70 percent
of the volume level allows the listener to hear safely for more than three hours. Reducing
volume further can increase the safe listening duration even more (DOBRUCKI and Maurycy
2013). Therefore, in any condition trying to keep the volume as minim as possible can help to
have a healthy hearing ability for lifetime.
Taking breaks from listening can also be helpful to minimize the exposure level. The
resultant exposure level depends on Laeq or continuous level of exposure to the sound.
Therefore, listening through the headphones for a prolonged time continuously is more
harmful than the listening by multiple broken durations. Therefore, the maximum the
duration of the brake the less resultant exposure the headphones can make. Therefore, for
louder music the headphone user has to take at least 5 minutes of break for every 30 minutes
(Knox et al. 2015). For lower volume level the user should take break after every 60 minutes.

It has been found that, taking break is also helpful to relax the inner year mechanism from
continuous enforced acoustic pressure.
According to Molesworth, Burgess and Kwon (2013), a large number of people wear
headphones for just making them isolated from the surrounding noise and ambience. It has
been also found that during the traffic or louder ambient sound the users intend to increase
the volume of the headphone to ignoring the louder ambient sound. In this case noise
cancelling headphone can be very helpful. The noise cancelling headphone is able to destroy
the external noise level completely where the user does not need to higher up the volume.
Even is the lowest volume, the user can not perceive the loud noise of surroundings. It helps
user to keep the volume as minimum as possible that makes the exposure level low and keeps
the ear of the user healthy.
The headphones and earphones are two categories of same accessories where the
headphone implies the overhead accessories with larger ear covering and earphone implies
the smaller ear plugs. The ear bud based in-ear plugging in earphone system generates the
sound at a very minimal distance from the eardrum causing more acoustic power impact on
the inner ear. However, the overhead headphone use a disk based covering structure that
cover the ear from outside and generates sound from longer distance than the ear bud based
earphones causing less impact on eardrum (Combs and Lee 2013). Therefore, overhead, ear
covering headphone is comparatively less harmful than in-ear ear bud based earphones. User
should use over the head headphones instead of ear bud based earphones to keep their hearing
system safer.
Setting volume limit restricts the user to increase the volume significantly. It is a
software based capping system that do not takes any volume increasing related input from
user when it reach to the maximum volume set by the user. In any smartphone this feature
can be used through using the volume settings of the phone (Traynor 2017). It is very helpful,

when the user unintentionally or because of bad habit tries to increase the volume to the
unsafe level. Therefore, all smartphone users should use this feature to limit their level of
exposure to unsafe level of headphone sound.
References:
Combs, S. and Lee, K., Sol Republic Inc, 2013. Over-ear headphones. U.S. Patent
Application 29/409,140.
DING, W.J., ZHAO, H., ZHANG, J.Y., YU, J. and WANG, A.L., 2018. The Hearing Loss
Risks of Entertainment Headphones in Different Noise Environments. Chinese Scientific
Journal of Hearing and Speech Rehabilitation, (2), p.13.
DOBRUCKI, A. and Maurycy, K.I.N., 2013. Preliminary study on the influence of
headphones for listening music on hearing loss of young people. Archives of acoustics, 38(3),
pp.383-387.
Gresko, J.J. and Rois, S.J., Gresko Johnny J and Rois Stephen J, 2013. Ambient noise
isolation audio headphones having a layered dampening structure. U.S. Patent 8,358,799.
hse.gov.uk., 2005. Health & Safety Executive 2005 Control of Noise at Work Regulations.
Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/regulations.htm
International Workplace 2014 Hearing loss within the workplace – The use of headphones
and the law. Available at: https://www.internationalworkplace.com/blog/hearing-loss-within-
the-workplace-the-use-of-headphones-andthe-law-52207