Say hello to James, a Say hello to music lover who seamlessly integrates Spotify into his work regimen, switches over to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every occasion imaginable, from cardio sessions to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his constant companions, transforming his life into a completely soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and delight in the engaging world of music, but the very source of his happiness might be damaging his cherished ability to hear without him recognizing it.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and hazardous ways to indulge in music. Sadly, many of us tend to incline towards the latter.
What is the relationship between extended exposure to music and hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud music can lead to a decrease in your auditory function. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as a problem related to aging, but an increasing amount of research suggests that it’s actually the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the issue here and not anything inherent in the process of aging.
Younger individuals are more sensitive to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental stage. And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the long-term perils of high volume. An increasing amount of young people are experiencing hearing loss as a result of frequent use of loud headphones.
Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?
Unlimited full volume is obviously the” dangerous” way to listen to music. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it normally includes turning the volume down. The general guidelines for safe volumes are:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and keep the volume below 80 dB.
- For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level below 75 dB.
Breaking it down, you’re looking at approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by relatively quickly. Even still, most individuals have a pretty solid concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re taught to do successfully from a very young age.
The more challenging part is keeping track of your volume. On the majority of smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. It’s gauged on some arbitrary scale. Maybe it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume range of your device or how near you are to reaching that limit.
How to effectively track your music volume
To address this issue, numerous free noise monitoring applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer real-time insights into ambient noise levels, empowering users to calibrate their music volume appropriately.
That’s why most hearing specialists advise the use of one of many free noise monitoring apps. These apps– widely available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises surrounding you. In this way, you can keep track of the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes as necessary.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and beyond
For instance, a volume level of 80 decibels is comparable to the sound generated by a basic garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Identifying this benchmark is crucial, as it represents the limit beyond which hearing damage becomes a substantial hazard.
It’s important to exercise heightened vigilance when noise levels surpass this critical point. Consider reducing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing issues, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially permanent damage to one’s hearing. By being aware of when our ears are at risk, we allow ourselves to make educated choices in order to promote safer listening habits.
Book an appointment for a hearing assessment
To further prioritize your hearing health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. Taking practical actions like consistent assessments can pinpoint possible problems at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.
