A warning has been issued that the habit of wearing AirPods all day could increase the risk of hearing damage, IT outlet Engadget reported on July 28 local time.

Even if earbud use lengthens, users may find it hard to feel the cumulative hearing damage. The problem is that usage time is rapidly expanding across daily life. Many people keep earbuds in from morning podcasts to music on commutes and video meetings. The outlet said many users do not think much of wearing AirPods throughout a workday.

Against this pattern, the 60-60 rule is drawing attention. The idea is to set volume at no more than 60 percent of the maximum and not use them continuously for more than 60 minutes at a time. It was presented as a minimum guideline that reflects the greater strain on hearing from longer exposure to loud sound.

Concerns about hearing damage have already emerged as a public health issue. The World Health Organization reports that more than 1 billion young people face the risk of permanent hearing loss because of recreational exposure to loud sound. The outlet also pointed out that hearing damage can accumulate. That means the problem can grow if long-term exposure continues even if users do not feel immediate pain or discomfort.

The U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimated that up to 17 percent of teenagers already show signs of noise-induced hearing loss. The figure suggests the use of earphones and headphones can become a real health issue beyond a simple lifestyle habit. The need to manage risk is growing, especially among younger age groups, as audio consumption time for music, video, games and calls lengthens.

Engadget described hearing decline from headphone and earbud use as an actual public health problem. That is also the background for the emergence of the 60-60 rule. It said the rule is a minimum preventive guideline aimed at avoiding a situation in which an entire generation later has to respond to every question with, "What?"

That means users need to manage volume and usage time together, rather than focusing only on battery life or wearing comfort, the outlet said. In environments where earbuds are used throughout work, travel and leisure, the listening time that accumulates without notice can be a bigger variable, it added.

In this situation, the 60-60 rule is presented as a guideline that can be applied immediately without complex equipment or added cost. With the idea that turning down the volume and resting the ears from time to time is the starting point for protecting hearing, it is again drawing attention as a basic rule for wireless earbud users.