James is a music aficionado who has mastered the art of integrating his favored music into his day-to-day life, easily shifting from Spotify at his desk to Pandora during his runs, and meticulously putting together playlists to perfectly enhance every activity, whether he’s working out, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. His headphones are his continual partners, converting his life into a fully soundtracked experience. However, while James gets solace and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he cherishes could be silently weakening his priceless sense of hearing.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and hazardous ways to indulge in music. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second approach.
How does prolonged music exposure lead to hearing loss?
Over time, loud noises can bring about deterioration of your hearing abilities. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as an issue associated with growing old, but more and more research reveals that it’s actually the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything inherent in the aging process.
It also turns out that younger ears are particularly susceptible to noise-related damage (they’re still developing, after all). And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the permanent perils of high volume. An increasing number of young individuals are experiencing hearing loss as a result of frequent use of loud headphones.
Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?
Unlimited max volume is obviously the” dangerous” way to listen to music. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it normally involves turning the volume down. The general rules for safe volumes are:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and keep the volume lower than 80 dB.
- For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level lower than 75 dB.
Breaking it down, you’re looking at approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. That seems like a lot, but it can go by fairly quickly. Even still, most people have a fairly strong concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re taught to do effectively from a very young age.
The more challenging facet involves keeping track of your sound level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs typically do not display volume in decibels. Its value is calculated utilizing a rather subjective or relative scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it might be as small as 1 to 16. You might not have any idea what the max volume on your device is, or how close to the max you are.
How to effectively monitor your music volume
To address this problem, numerous free noise monitoring apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps supply instant feedback on surrounding noise levels, helping users to fine-tune their listening volume to safe levels.
For this reason, many audiologists suggest using one of the numerous noise level monitoring apps available at no cost. These apps– extensively available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises surrounding you. In this manner, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes accordingly.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and beyond
For example, a volume level of 80 decibels is similar to the sound generated by a basic garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Acknowledging this benchmark is crucial, as it represents the limit beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible danger.
So, being extra vigilant when exceeding this decibel limit is essential. Consider reducing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to certain songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can result in hearing issues, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially irreversible damage to one’s hearing. By being aware of when our ears are at risk, we allow ourselves to make educated decisions in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Schedule a hearing exam
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is recommended to contact a hearing professional to schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. Taking proactive actions like consistent screenings can identify possible problems at an early stage, enabling quick actions and tailored advice to protect your valuable hearing.
