James is a music aficionado who has excelled in the art of integrating his favored tunes into his day-to-day life, easily transitioning from Spotify at his desk to Pandora on his runs, and carefully putting together playlists to perfectly enhance every activity, whether he’s working out, whipping up a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. He’s seldom observed without his headphones, which have become an integral part of his daily life, transforming every moment into a personalized audio adventure. However, while James finds solace and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he loves could be silently damaging his priceless sense of hearing.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and dangerous ways to indulge in music. Regrettably, many of us tend to gravitate towards the latter.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure result in hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud music can result in a decline in your auditory ability. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as a problem associated with growing old, but more and more research suggests that it’s actually the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the issue here and not anything intrinsic in the aging process.
Younger people are more prone to noise-induced harm as their ears are still in the developmental phase. And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the long-term hazards of high volume. A growing number of young people are experiencing hearing loss due to frequent use of loud headphones.
Can one listen to music without any safety issues?
Listening to music at full blast without any limitations is the most dangerous strategy. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it usually 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 maintain the volume below 80 dB.
- If you’re younger than 18, 40 hours is still fine, just be sure to keep the sound at a safe level, 75 decibels or lower.
Forty hours per week translates into roughly five hours and forty minutes a day. Although it might seem excessive, the time can go by unexpectedly fast. In spite of this, the majority of people possess a well-developed awareness of time management, a skill that is generally mastered during early childhood.
The more challenging facet involves keeping track of your sound level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually do not display volume in decibels. It’s assessed 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 properly monitor your music volume
To address this problem, a number of free noise tracking apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps supply real-time insights into ambient noise levels, equipping users to calibrate their music volume appropriately.
Because of this, many audiologists suggest using one of the numerous noise level monitoring apps available at no cost. 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 monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes as necessary.
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. Recognizing this volume level is important because it marks the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and tangible worry.
It’s crucial to exercise heightened vigilance when noise levels exceed this critical point. Think about 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 problems, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially permanent damage to one’s hearing. By remaining aware of when our ears move into the danger zone, we empower ourselves to make educated decisions, with the paramount goal of fostering safer listening practices.
Schedule a hearing assessment
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is advisable to contact a hearing specialist to schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. Taking practical actions like consistent screenings can pinpoint possible problems at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.
