I asked a lead audiologist whether or not our headphones are damaging our hearing, and she told me that ANC and volume control is ‘only half the equation’ — here’s why regular breaks are vital to avoid 'flattening your tiny hair cells’ for good

(Image credit: Hear.com)

Something I've wanted to do for a long, long time: ask an audiologist for their expert advice on protecting our hearing when it comes to today's ever-advancing audio tech. I test headphones, speakers, DACs, turntables and the like all day every day, so my auditory system is one I'd like to safeguard — and sometimes I worry that noise cancellation and volume control aren't always the rock-solid defense shields we think they are.

I also happen to…