James is a music aficionado who has mastered the art of incorporating his favorite music into his daily life, easily transitioning from Spotify at his desk to Pandora on his runs, and meticulously putting together playlists to perfectly complement every activity, whether he’s working out, whipping up a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. He’s seldom seen without his headphones, which have become an essential part of his daily life, transforming every moment into a personalized audio experience. However, while James finds relaxaction and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he treasures could be silently weakening his precious sense of hearing.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and harmful ways to enjoy music. Regrettably, many of us tend to incline towards the latter.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure result in hearing loss?
As time pass, loud noises can lead to deterioration of your ability to hear. We’re used to regarding hearing loss as an issue associated with aging, but an increasing amount of research reveals that it’s actually the build-up of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything inherent in the aging process.
Younger people are more prone 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 permanent perils of high volume. So there’s an epidemic of younger individuals with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to widespread high-volume headphone usage.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Listening to music at full blast without any limits is the most hazardous 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 acceptable, just be certain to keep the volume at a safe level, 75 decibels or lower.
Breaking it down, you’re looking at about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. That seems like a lot, but it can go by rather quickly. Even still, most people have a fairly solid concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re taught to do successfully from a really young age.
The harder part is monitoring your volume. On the majority of smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not measured in decibels. It’s gauged on some random scale. The range could be as wide as 1 to 100, or it might be as small as 1 to 16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume capacity of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
Tips for effectively keeping track of your music volume
To deal with this problem, numerous free noise monitoring applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps provide real-time information into ambient noise levels, enabling users to adjust their music volume accordingly.
For this reason, many audiologists suggest utilizing one of the numerous noise level tracking applications available at no cost. These widely accessible apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, supply instant sound-level feedback on the background noise around you. That way, you can keep track of the dB level of your music in real time and make adjustments.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and beyond
As example, 80 dB is roughly comparable to the noise emitted by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not overly loud. Acknowledging this standard is essential, as it represents the threshold beyond which auditory damage becomes a substantial risk.
It’s important to exercise heightened caution when noise levels surpass this critical point. Consider reducing exposure to excessively loud music by enjoying select tracks at full volume instead of indulging in entire albums.
Repeated exposure to increased volume levels can result in hearing complications including tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make informed choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Book an appointment for a hearing evaluation
To further prioritize your hearing health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a thorough hearing test. Taking proactive actions like consistent screenings can pinpoint possible issues at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.