The Sound That Slowly Fades Away: A Small Story About a Habit We Often Take for Granted

March 2026

That morning, as usual, Data started his day with earphones in his ears. His favorite music played loudly, drowning out what he considered the noise of the outside world.

On public transportation, at work, and even while walking home, those earphones seemed like a faithful companion that never left his side.

Until one day, something felt different...

His ears started ringing.

At first, Data thought it was nothing serious.

"It's probably just fatigue," he told himself.

He continued with his routine—high volume, long listening hours. After all, everyone seemed to do the same thing.

But day after day, the ringing never went away.

Sometimes, the voices of people around him began to sound distant and unclear.

Data became worried.

Something he had always considered harmless was slowly taking away something incredibly valuable: his ability to hear clearly.

We often forget that our ears are more than just organs of hearing.

Inside them are tiny hair cells that work tirelessly to capture every sound vibration around us.

These cells are delicate.

Imagine a field of grass being stepped on repeatedly. Over time, it becomes damaged and may eventually die.

The same thing happens to our hearing.

Loud sounds we are exposed to every day—especially through earphones at high volumes—are like constant footsteps on that fragile field.

And when those hair cells are damaged, unfortunately, they cannot regenerate.

What makes hearing loss even more dangerous is that it often develops without warning.

No pain.

No obvious symptoms.

And before you realize it...

it may already be too late.

Just like Data.

Fortunately, this story does not have to end the same way for all of us.

There are simple steps—small actions with a big impact—that we can start taking today:

• Lower the volume. Your ears do not need excessively loud sound.
• Limit listening time. Avoid using earphones continuously for long periods.
• Give your ears a break. Allow them 5–10 minutes of rest from noise regularly.

A simple guideline known as the 60/60 Rule can help protect your hearing:

• Listen at no more than 60% of the maximum volume.
• Use earphones for no more than 60 minutes at a time before taking a break.

Easy to remember, yet often ignored.

There are small habits in our daily lives that can have a significant impact on our future.

Like a routine.

Like turning the volume up too high.

Like delaying a simple decision that could protect our health.

Maybe today your hearing is still perfectly fine.

You can still hear your family's laughter.

You can still enjoy your favorite songs.

But the question is...

For how long?

Let's start today.

Not tomorrow. Not someday.

Because protecting your hearing is not just about today—

it's about preserving all the beautiful sounds you still want to hear in the years to come.

Health Education Reference:
Instagram: @Dante.Harbuwono (Vice Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia)

Stay Healthy

Supporting Services and Health Promotion Team (PKRS)
RSKO Jakarta