sharke
I know that when I'm working on headphones, I instinctively tear them off every 20 minutes or so for a 10 minute break. I don't know whether that's a natural ear protection instinct kicking in or because I feel kind of "shut in" with cans on.

Could be either 'Listening Fatigue' or 'Sensory Disorientation' ((issues with inner ear)), actually,  disorientation isn't as noticeable in some people who have inner ear health issues therefore, it would not hurt to get a medical check up, and possibly a referral(s) to otolaryngologists (ears, nose and throat specialist) and/or audiologist.
 
Seriously, its taken me a while to get used to listening at very low volume levels (i mean, really low volume) using headphones.  I have adapted to this really well (love it), I get a much better perspective of balance (mix) and can listen under these conditions without any issues (health). Besides, most kids (and big kids in their 30s) use headphones almost, always, and sometimes while at work e.g. overseeing traffic hazards, or whilst doing foot patrols (security guard) {seriously}!
 
As for near field monitors? Exactly what is means; I prefer to position them 'Very Close' (front) of my listening position (also because I can't lean my elbows due to health physical and nerve pain issues) and of course I positioned 'Near Field' monitors (spaced apart) L/R correctly (distance). Now you won't need to turn the volume up and therefore -- (a) no health issues and (b) room acoustic treatment is irrelevant if setup (as explained), so, why some people get overly hung up about that, I don't know lol!
 
IMHO, 'Preventative Care' is a sensible route -- Take care: 

1.. For congestion: I highly recommend 'Natural Saline Spray' (seriously, avoid chemical nasal sprays, or as a last resort - strictly advise by your doctor)! So-called approved chemicals; pharmaceutical solutions have risks such as, loss of smell, diminished sense of taste that may be permanent. And of course a myriad of side effects ranging for minimal to severe. Natural Saline Spray is just salt and water, whot on Earth could possibly go wrong with that, self-inflected drowning? I don't think so.
 
2.. Get a 2-in-1 (or two separate units) Air Filter and Larger Capacity Humidifier (if your abode has issues in regards to dry air), if not? An 'Air Filtration Unit is all that's required, get one that has a permanent washable filter (this will save costs in the long run)!.
 
3.. Don't use chemical cleaners and deodorants, instead, use natural high quality oils such as, eucalyptus or pine oils. For example, mix a small portion of oil with water (90%) and a dash of alcohol isopropyl (available at all pharmacies)... alcohol activates the aroma (oil), important: do not use too much alcohol, use about 10%.  Now you have a very effective 'All Natural Room deodorant' that also kills air borne bacteria. Have other issues such as, stress and insomnia? Try lavender oil, can also be directly applied (just use your finger tip, tip-bottle) apply near the back part of the neck on both sides and on forehead.
 
4.. Best window cleaner on earth? Water (75%) and alcohol (91% with isopropyl)! Apply wet, then immediately wipe with a dry clean (lint-free) cloth. Alcohol dries very quickly therefore, have one wet cloth and the another dry and very clean cloth in the other hand. (Don't deliberately inhale undiluted alcohol with isopropyl, avoid inhaling -- read cautionary label before use)!
 
5.. Eucalyptus oil straight-up (not diluted) is fantastic for cleaning guitar strings and stainless steel (e.g. kitchen sink, refrigerator). I do not recommend the use of undiluted eucalyptus oil directly on plastics or lacquered/varnished wood. For example, for cleaning the guitar body and neck, mix in a little water, use a damp cloth (of course not dripping wet lol), then wipe (finish off to perfection) with a soft, non abrasive clean cloth.
 
6.. Eucalyptus oil also kills influenza viruses, rhinopharyngitis and nasopharyngitis (the common cold)!. Aborigines knew about that centuries ago. The easiest method is to crush leaves in your  hands -- * Now with both hands form a bowl with eucalyptus leaves, hold up over your nose and inhale slooowly and deeeply through your nose (you must keep your mouth shut), now exhale, and then blow that snotty nose * Repeat until nasal congestion is noticeable reduced. Aborigines use many types of natural plants, herbs and fruits --- seriously, extraordinary effective treatments for all sorts of health issues, more info: Here (Aboriginal Art Online / Medicine).
 
7.. Just remembered, Aloe (natural leaf, not freaking lotions) is fantastic for soothing and healing sunburns. (Yeah, since I moved from Australia to WI, US, sunburn is the utmost least of my concerns)!
 
Very Important: Everybody, no matter if you thing you're in good health, you 'Must' still consult a doctor before using 'ALL' of the above natural solutions, be treated/advised by a certified doctor and natural therapist. Especially in regards to anyone who is Pregnant (or wanting to become pregnant), the Elderly or Young infirm, or have other health issues such as (to name a few), Epilepsy, Respiratory illness and Allergies.
 
Disclaimer: Although I have tried the almost all the above natural solutions and IMHO found them to be very effective, efficient and safer (for me) .... I must point out that, 'I'm NOT a Doctor or Natural  Therapist'.. My family practitioner MD who has treated me since 2005, is also a natural therapist who has in 'My' particular case recommended the use of natural Saline Nasal Spray, Eucalyptus and Lavender oils.. That said, Everybody has different tolerances and there is a possibility that certain natural therapies might be detrimental to some people (whereas not others), or unaware that they have underling health issues that could be serious. Please consult a doctor and natural therapist before delving into natural therapies (health care), natural substitutes for cleaning products and deodorants.
 
{phew} Sorry for that most painful, torturous and drawn-out rant; Don't mean to alarm anyone. Just want to make it loud and clear, play it safe. I hope at least some of that info I provided helps whoever happens to stumble on this topic.  You never know.  Who knew.  Just saying. 
 
 

You forgot vinegar & baking soda to clean the stove top. I learned that trick recently and couldn't believe how brand spanking new my stove looked in a matter of seconds. 

sharke
You forgot vinegar & baking soda to clean the stove top. I learned that trick recently and couldn't believe how brand spanking new my stove looked in a matter of seconds. 

Although vinegar and b/soda is a fairly good stain remover, I rarely need to use it because I keep the kitchen clean as I prepare food and cook. Seriously, I hardly leave a mess. After eating, there is hardly much left to clean.
 
We both forgot to mention, Citric Acid Powder (food grade),  I use that to clean my Bodum 11445 kettle (double wall glass) and Bodum glass french press. Simply use boiling water (38 oz / 1.1875 qts) and add 2 teaspoons of Citric Acid Powder (food grade), let cool, wipe, fill with boil water again then rinse (it very easy; cleans like new). Vinegar is not recommended for those specific bodum products. 
 
I use to clean my stainless steel kettles with vinegar, the last time I paid a fair amount of money for (what should have been good quality stainless steel), after the one year warranty ran out, the metal corroded (small metal particles/peelings appeared inside), had to toss the kettle out.
 
I've replaced all my cookware with seasoned cast iron and carbon steel, if seasoned correctly they are amazingly non-stick and cleans up very easy (no detergents, no natural cleaners) just run under hot (not boiling water), rub with paper towel and immediately wipe dry with a clean paper towel. As always, if it wipes clean with a paper towel, its clean lol. Soon I going to buy a 12 gauge carbon steel wok, thoroughly clean (remove) the manufactures anti-rust protective layer and then season the bottom and sides (at 500 degrees) before use.
 
Almost forgot to mention, pure citric acid powder (food grade) has no taste, these are the reasons why IMHO is a great alternative to lemon or vinegar for preserving diced/peeled fruits such as avocados, pears, apples and bananas (prevents them from going brown)!
 
So anyway, keep your ears clean, your sinuses clear, take care and enjoy making music.
 
 

SongCraft
Seriously, its taken me a while to get used to listening at very low volume levels (i mean, really low volume) using headphones.  I have adapted to this really well (love it), I get a much better perspective of balance (mix) and can listen under these conditions without any issues (health). 
 

From a hearing health point of view the lowest volume is undoubtedly the best. On the other hand, the physics of sound transducers (compliance and inertia of sometimes multiple components) makes it unlikely that even the best speakers and headphones will produce their nominal frequency response/spectrum at all output levels. That is easy to see when the speaker is overdriven resulting in obvious and awful distortion, but it is also true when the driver energy is below what is the optimal design. There is a sweet spot in volume levels at which the maximum frequency fidelity can be achieved, and moving very far from that range is going to result in a frequency mix that is not "true." Although speaker and headphone makers typically report a frequency response range, which is almost always measured at the optimum volume, the actual volume at which the measurement is taken is rarely disclosed, and even less rarely is a curve of the various frequencies over the full range of volumes presented. I expect that there may be a trend to design that sweet spot range for higher volumes especially in consumer products, as the loudness wars continue. For casual listening, that is probably not an issue, but for critical mixing it may be a bad idea to turn the volume too low.
 
 

An even better recommendation that they make is to get manufacturer's of MP3 players etc. to limit the output of their devices to levels that do not produce permanent damage in a short time.

That's been the case in the EU for some years now. A good idea in principle only they used occupational health and safety noise exposure data from industrial environments as a guide to the limit manufacturers are allowed to allow a device to output. Basically, they pretty much ignored time-weighting and that music is not a constantly running machine but has varying dynamics over time. Instead it was assumed that the volume is constant and unvarying. They also went for a pretty low dB figure on the assumption that someone might spend 8+ hours a day every day with their ipod on full blast, so imposed a maximum volume based on that exposure.

So if you're walking down the street and a car drives by, the earbuds become inaudible because the car completely drowns them out. Which has led in turn to a growth in aftermarket ear-buds which are louder than OEM at the same power input and the initially good idea that was spoiled by implementation is defeated.

It's a consequence of applying one set of data and regulations, those for occupational health and safety in workplace environments where machinery etc. is running at a constant volume, and applying it to a similar but different field.

Incidentally, one of the musical professions most inclined towards noise-related hearing damage is violinists and violists. They get the full benefit of their instrument's volume not only because the top and f-holes are near their left ear but also directly through the bones of the jaw and skull. A violin teacher can easily exceed the noise exposure limits in a working day and because the sound comes up through bone earplugs don't help much.

For the few months that I played banjo, I had an idea that it might be damaging my hearing. My ears would ring after an hour or so.

Here's another update:
 
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/national-news/200175-who-says-1-1-billion-young-people-at-risk-of-hearing-loss
 

@ Slart, you bring up interesting points.
 
I've only played the violin once or twice, did a great imitation of a yowling cat.
 
@ Rimshot, only 1.1 billion? That sounds (pun intended) a lot less than I expected.
 
I've never seen hearing protection warning signs posted at venues whereas you see plenty of warning signs at workplaces such as, manufacturing, construction and demolition sites.
 

 
(1) Reform laws in regards to workplace hearing protection, to include the use of ear plugs must be used for anyone who attends venues/concerts.
 
or
 
(2) There are venue managers who complain about high volume levels yet hardly any band (and sound crew) take that seriously enough.  I doubt all bands will comply to lowing their volume down to within safety levels, I rarely see that occur.  Reform laws that require warning signs (as a reminder) to bands and sound crew that they must lower volume levels to within safety levels. And include a monitoring device that shuts down stage power outlets if volume exceeds safety levels.
 
Now presenting the next band, The Mellow Meows the quietest, most girly guy Heavy Metal band on Earth.   Mee'Oow
 
In addition: New laws / regulations in regards to headphone manufactures, limiting levels to within safety levels and auto-filters (cut) included as an added precautionary measure. New regulations for Manufactures that include headphone output source on audio devices to reduce levels.
 
But will 'everybody' be happy if above changes to laws and regulations occur?
 
I didn't think so.
 

Apropos the discussion, I just got an offer for a set of "professional" headphones with the following marketing copy:
 
"American Audio turns up the volume and cranks down the price with these premium DJ headphones.
 
With 3500mW of sheer power, these high-powered premium DJ headphones offer an incredibly loud, thunderous sound. The loudest headphones American Audio has ever offered, the HP 700s will fill your ears with booming bass and trilling treble."
 
If the guy setting the volume in the club has blown his own hearing, what chance do his victims/audience have?

Good point!  It is so common in live concerts where the sound is so blooming loud, full of distortion, etc. that I have to believe the sound man's ears are completely fried.  How could they not be?
Last concert I attended was Moody Blues and the band played great but the sound sucked. It is even bad a some large church venues.  The equipment is superb. Hard to keep good hearing at 90+ db.