James is a music aficionado who has mastered the art of incorporating his favored music into his daily life, easily transitioning from Spotify at his desk to Pandora on his runs, and meticulously putting together playlists to beautifully enhance every activity, whether he’s pumping iron, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. His headphones are his constant partners, converting his life into a fully soundtracked experience. However, while James finds relaxaction and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he cherishes could be quietly weakening his precious sense of hearing.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. Regrettably, many of us tend to incline towards the latter.
How does prolonged music exposure lead to hearing loss?
As time pass, loud noises can cause deterioration of your ability to hear. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as an issue associated with growing old, but an increasing amount of research indicates that it’s really the build-up of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything inherent in the process of aging.
Younger individuals are more prone to noise-induced harm as their ears are still in the developmental stage. However, teenagers tend to disregard the possible risks of excessive noise over time. A growing amount of young individuals are experiencing hearing loss as a result of frequent use of loud headphones.
Can one listen to music without any safety issues?
Listening to music at full blast with no limitations is the most hazardous strategy. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it normally includes 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 lower than 80 dB.
- If you’re younger than 18, 40 hours is still fine, just be sure to keep the volume at a safe level, 75 decibels or lower.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each 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 successfully from a really young age.
The harder part is monitoring your volume. On most smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. Its value is determined using a rather subjective or relative scale. The range could be as wide as 1 to 100, or it might be as small as 1 to 16. You might not have any clue what the max volume on your device is, or how close to the max you are.
How to effectively monitor your music volume
Several free noise monitoring apps can be found for both iPhone and Android devices to tackle this problem. These apps offer immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, enabling users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
For this reason, many audiologists suggest utilizing one of the numerous noise level tracking applications available at no cost. These extensively obtainable apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, supply instant sound-level feedback on the ambient noise around you. In this manner, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make adjustments accordingly.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
As example, 80 dB is roughly comparable to the noise emitted by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not overly loud. Acknowledging this standard is crucial, as it represents the limit beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible danger.
It’s important to exercise increased vigilance when noise levels exceed this critical point. Consider reducing exposure to excessively loud music by enjoying certain tracks at maximum volume instead of indulging in complete albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing problems, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially irreversible damage to one’s hearing. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make informed choices in order to promote safer listening habits.
Schedule a hearing assessment
To further prioritize your hearing health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a comprehensive hearing exam. Practical steps like regular screenings can detect any possible issues early on, allowing for timely interventions and personalized suggestions to protect your precious sense of hearing.