CHIEF AUDIOLOGIST ADVISES AUDIOPHILES ABOUT HOW NOISE CANCELLATION CAN HELP HEARING HEALTH

NEWS
hi-fi+ Staff
Nov 07, 2025

7 November 2025: With Black Friday around the corner and Christmas on the horizon, you might be thinking about a shiny new set of headphones this winter. With hundreds of options on the market, noise cancellation has become a common feature for premium models, but how important is it to your overall ear health?

Hearing experts at Specsavers explain that most hearing loss develops gradually over time, and repeated exposure to loud noise can damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear that are essential for hearing. Yet once these hair cells are damaged, sadly, they do not regenerate.

Safe levels of sound end at 85 decibels (dB), which means prolonged exposure to anything louder than a lawnmower is a risk to your hearing health. Turning up to max volume on a headset may feel euphoric in the moment, however if done too often – experts say it can have consequences.

Gordon Harrison, Chief Audiologist at Specsavers, advises:

“It’s important to consider opting for hearing protection like ear defenders when noise levels reach or exceed 85 dBA. For personal devices like headphones, a good rule of thumb is to keep the volume at no more than 60% of the maximum and take listening breaks every hour. Using noise cancelling headphones can also help because you don’t need to turn the volume up as high to overcome background noise.

“For those who often go to clubs, festivals, and concerts, it is entirely possible to keep your hearing health safe, while enjoying yourself. Standing not too close to speakers or using earplugs are great ways to avoid long-term damage while still ensuring you can hear the music.

“Ultimately, your hearing is closely linked to your brain’s overall health as well as your personal wellbeing – so protecting it today helps preserve not just your hearing, but also memory and cognitive function in the long term. The best way to monitor for any damage and keep your ears healthy is to visit a local Specsavers store and get your hearing checked by an expert.”

Regular hearing checks are important as it is easy to not notice any changes until they become severe. To find out more about hearing protection and getting tested head to: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/hearing/hearing-protection?srsltid=AfmBOoo6qGymz_dKqLbk5OugXtRsfXaIPok…

Protecting your hearing | Specsavers UK

Tags: HEADPHONE HEARING NEWS