It might be feasible for an adult to stay aware of volume levels, but it’s tedious. Since 2013, all music players sold in the European Union and Switzerland must effectively limit volume output to 85dB(SPL), though users can override the limit and increase the volume up to 100dB. What’s worse, when external noise competes for your attention, the typical reflex is to drown it out by further increasing the volume. Since the perceived loudness is lower, many people instinctively turn up the volume when using headphones.

Even with the same sound pressure reaching your eardrum, headphones subjectively won’t sound as loud as a loudspeaker because you’re missing spatial and physical cues like bass vibrations and apparent distortion. It’s difficult to tell whether you’re within safe volume levels. Read more: What is noise-induced hearing loss? If you exceed the safe listening time for a specific volume, say more than 30 minutes at 110dB(SPL), you risk noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

World Health Organization Unsafe noise levels start at 85dB(SPL), if exposure exceeds the safe listening time.

Headphones quiet at max volume