Daily wearing of headphones should not only focus on "comfort", but also take into account the three core aspects of hearing protection, device lifespan, and health and hygiene. The following are specific and easy to implement precautions, covering the entire process before, during, and after wearing:
1、 Before wearing: do "preparation work" to avoid congenital discomfort
Choose the right size/style to reduce pressure from the source
In ear headphones: Be sure to try on the included S/M/L three spoke earbuds, and prioritize the size that fits snugly but not tightly - a size that is too small can cause sound leakage and looseness, while a size that is too large can compress the ear canal and cause swelling and pain if worn for a long time; If the ear canal is sensitive, it can be replaced with sponge earplugs (softer and more natural in sealing).
Half in ear headphones: Choose a style where the ear handle angle fits snugly into the ear canal (concave inner side of the outer ear), avoiding forcefully pressing the headphones to "tighten" them, otherwise it will rub against the skin of the outer ear, causing redness and pain.
Head mounted headphones: Priority should be given to the "ear wrap style" (ear cushions completely covering the ears) rather than the "ear press style" (ear cushions pressed around the ears), and adjust the tension of the headband to "gently fit the top of the head without any clamping sensation" to avoid long-term pressure on the temples and top of the head, resulting in pressure marks or soreness.
Clean the headphones to prevent bacterial growth
Before each wearing, use a clean cotton swab dipped in a small amount of alcohol (or a non-alcoholic wet tissue) to wipe the area where the earphones come into contact with the skin:
In ear style: Focus on wiping the inner side of the earplug (which is prone to residual ear canal secretions) and the ear stem interface (where sweat can easily accumulate);
Head wearing style: Rub the protein skin/mesh on the inside of the earmuffs (hair oil and dandruff are easy to adhere to);
Half in ear style: wipe the curved contact surface of the earplug (the oil on the outer ear skin will stick to it).
Especially in summer or after exercise, headphones are prone to sweat and can be worn directly without cleaning, which may cause ear canal inflammation or external ear skin allergies.
2、 Wearing: Control "duration and volume", core protection for hearing
Strictly control the volume and follow the "60-60 principle"
This is the key to protecting hearing - the World Health Organization recommends that the volume of headphones should not exceed 60% of the maximum volume of the device, and the continuous wearing time should not exceed 60 minutes each time.
Attention should be paid to noisy environments (such as subways and shopping malls): Do not blindly increase the volume just to "cover up the noise". You can switch to headphones with active noise reduction (after noise reduction is turned on, you can hear clearly without high volume), or temporarily remove the headphones to avoid double damage to hearing caused by noise and high volume.
Children/teenagers need to be stricter: it is recommended to keep the volume below 50% and wear it for no more than 30 minutes at a time, as their hearing system is still developing and they are more sensitive to noise.
Avoid "prolonged continuous wear" and give the ear canal "breathable time"
Even if the volume is moderate, wearing headphones for a long time can cause the ear canal to "close":
In ear headphones: A sealed ear canal environment can prevent sweat and heat from escaping, which can easily breed bacteria. It is recommended to take off the headphones every 40-50 minutes to ventilate the ear canal for 5-10 minutes, while also moving the auricle to relieve muscle tension in the ear canal.
Head mounted headphones: Wearing them for a long time (more than 2 hours) can make the skin around the ears feel hot and humid, especially in summer when they are prone to sweating, which may cause mold on the inside of the earmuffs. It is recommended to remove the headphones every 1.5 hours, wipe off the sweat on the earmuffs, and let the skin breathe.
Not worn in special situations to avoid safety hazards and equipment damage
Scenarios where headphones are absolutely not worn: When crossing the road, riding a bicycle/electric bike, or driving a vehicle, the sound of headphones can mask the honking and footsteps of the outside world, causing distraction and increasing the risk of traffic accidents; It is also not recommended to wear it while sleeping (especially in ear style). When turning over, it may crush the headphones or cause the earplugs to fall out of the ear canal, which can also affect nighttime ventilation of the ear canal.
Scenarios for cautious wearing: When exercising, it is recommended to choose headphones with a waterproof rating of IPX4 or above to avoid sweat seeping into the device's interior (damaging the circuit); Be sure to remove headphones when taking a shower or washing your hair, as moisture can corrode the headphone components and shorten their lifespan.
3、 After wearing: do a good job of "storage and maintenance" to extend the lifespan of the equipment
Proper storage to avoid physical damage
In ear/semi in ear: Do not knead it into a ball and stuff it into your pocket (which can easily break the wire or crush the earphone shell). It is recommended to use a portable storage box (with wire winding function) or gently wrap it around your fingers (wire winding diameter not less than 5 centimeters to avoid wire creases and breakage).
Head mounted style: When storing, first loosen the headband to avoid it being in a tight state for a long time (causing a decrease in elasticity). If there is a storage bag, make sure that the earmuffs are facing up and do not squeeze them (especially protein skin earmuffs, which are prone to deformation and cracking if squeezed for a long time).
Timely cleaning to prevent dirt accumulation
After wearing, it should be cleaned immediately to avoid long-term adhesion of dirt:
In ear style: If the earbuds are stained with ear canal secretions (white or yellow dirt), they can be removed and cleaned separately (silicone earbuds can be washed with water, dried, and then reinstalled). Use a toothpick wrapped in a cotton swab to gently clean the dust from the gaps in the earphone body.
Head mounted style: If the earmuffs are detachable, regularly remove them and gently wipe them with clean water (protein skin earmuffs cannot be washed with water and can only be wiped with a dry cloth). If the sponge pad on the inside of the headband is stained with hair oil, use an alcohol swab to gently wipe it to avoid oil penetration and sponge aging.
Avoid 'violent operations' and reduce human damage
When removing headphones: Do not directly pull the ear handle when in ear, as it may cause the earbuds to detach from the body. Instead, gently pinch the earbuds and pull them out; Do not "pry open" the earmuffs from the side when wearing on the head. Instead, loosen the headband first and remove it vertically from the top of the head.
When connecting devices: The wired headphone jack should be plugged in and out vertically, without shaking left or right (to avoid damaging the device interface or headphone plug); When charging wireless earphones, do not press the charging case interface hard, make sure the charging cable/charging compartment is in good contact, and avoid forced insertion and removal.
4、 Special populations: Additional precautions
Individuals with sensitive/inflamed ear canals: Prioritize semi in ear or head mounted headphones (not in contact with the inside of the ear canal), clean the ear canal 1-2 times a week with physiological saline, and avoid long-term contact between headphones and ear canal secretions; If there is itching or pain in the ear canal after wearing the in ear style, stop using it immediately and seek medical attention promptly.
Children: Try to choose children's specific headphones (with volume limit locking function and softer material), and parents should supervise the wearing time to avoid children forgetting to remove the headphones due to "addiction to content" and causing hearing damage.
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