Meet James, an avid music enthusiast who perfectly integrates Spotify into his work regimen, switches to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every occasion imaginable, from cardio sessions to cooking and even gaming. He’s rarely observed without his headphones, which have become an important part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into an individualized audio experience. James takes comfort and delight in the engaging realm of music, but the very source of his joy may be harming his treasured ability to hear without him recognizing it.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and unsafe ways to indulge in music. Sadly, many of us tend to gravitate towards the latter.
How does prolonged music exposure result in hearing loss?
As time pass, loud noises can cause deterioration of your hearing abilities. Hearing loss is typically linked to getting older, but recent studies indicate that it is mainly caused by damage from exposure to loud sounds instead of being a normal part of aging.
Younger people are more sensitive to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental phase. However, teenagers tend to disregard the possible hazards of excessive noise over time. 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?
Unrestricted full volume is clearly the” hazardous” way to listen to music. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your tunes, and it normally involves turning the volume down. The general rules for safe volumes are:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and make sure the volume stays under 80 dB.
- If you’re under 18, 40 hours is still fine, just be sure to keep the volume at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Breaking it down, you’re looking at about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each day. Though it might appear excessive, the time can go by surprisingly fast. Even still, most people have a fairly strong concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re trained to do effectively from a very young age.
The more challenging part is monitoring your volume. On the majority of smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not measured in decibels. It’s assessed on some arbitrary scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it might be as narrow as 1 to 16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume range of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
Tips for effectively keeping track of your music volume
Several free noise monitoring apps can be downloaded for both iPhone and Android devices to address this issue. These apps offer immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, enabling users to adjust their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why most hearing specialists advise the use of one of many free noise tracking apps. These apps– extensively available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises around you. That way, you can keep track of the dB level of your music in real time and make adjustments.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
For instance, a noise level of 80 decibels is comparable to the sound produced by a common 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 auditory damage becomes a substantial danger.
It’s crucial to exercise increased caution when noise levels surpass this critical point. Think about reducing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to certain songs at the highest volume rather than listening to entire albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing problems, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially permanent damage to one’s hearing. By being aware of when our ears venture into the danger zone, we empower ourselves to make educated decisions, with the ultimate goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Book an appointment for a hearing assessment
To further prioritize your hearing health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a comprehensive hearing test. Taking proactive steps like consistent screenings can pinpoint possible problems at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.