So many jobs these days require employees to spend long hours wearing headphones so that they can better take calls, communicate with team members or attend virtual meetings.
Headphones and earbuds have become commonplace in the modern workplace – and so has hearing loss. It’s long been recognized that constant exposure to chronic noise and loud noise can negatively affect someone’s hearing, but what is a technology worker to do when they rely on headphones or earbuds for productivity?
Consider the 60/60 Rule to be necessary self-care for technology workers
The 60/60 rule is a guideline designed to help prevent hearing damage caused by prolonged exposure to sound through headphones and earbuds. It’s a simple rule that says you should:
- Limit the volume on your headphones or earbuds to 60% of their maximum high
- Never exceed 60 minutes of listening time without a short break of five minutes or more
The breaks prevent listening fatigue, which can temporarily make a worker lose their hearing sensitivity and cause them to crank up the volume to dangerous levels. Adherence to the rule can also prevent open-office workers from trying to drown out the background noise around them so they can focus.
As tech workers rely more on headphones for productivity and focus, adopting safe listening practices like the 60/60 rule can make a big difference in long-term hearing health.
Technology has invaded every aspect of human life – and technology workers are a major part of the labor force. If you’re a technology worker who has been injured on the job, workers’ compensation benefits may help.