Meet James, a passionate music fan who seamlessly integrates Spotify into his work regimen, switches over to Pandora during his workouts, and curates playlists for every occasion conceivable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. He’s rarely seen without his headphones, which have become an integral part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into a personalized audio adventure. James takes comfort and joy in the engaging world of music, but the very source of his joy may be damaging his cherished ability to hear without him recognizing it.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and hazardous ways to indulge in music. Unfortunately, a, any us lean towards the second approach.
What is the link between prolonged exposure to music and hearing damage?
Over time, loud noises can cause degeneration of your ability to hear. Hearing loss is typically connected 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.
It also turns out that younger ears are especially vulnerable to noise-related damage (they’re still developing, after all). However, teenagers tend to disregard the possible risks of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger people 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 dangerous strategy. There is a way to enjoy to music more safely, which typically means reducing the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are normally as follows:
- 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 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 each day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by rather quickly. In spite of this, the majority of individuals possess a well-developed awareness of time management, a skill that is usually perfected during early childhood.
The more challenging aspect entails tracking your sound level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs typically do not display volume in decibels. Its value is calculated using a rather subjective or relative scale. Maybe it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume capacity of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
How to effectively monitor your music volume
To address this issue, numerous free noise monitoring apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps provide instant feedback on ambient noise levels, enabling users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
Because of this, many audiologists suggest utilizing one of the numerous noise level tracking applications 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. That way, you can monitor 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 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 substantial concern.
So, being extra cautious when surpassing this decibel limit is essential. Think about reducing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to certain songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Prolonged 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 are at risk, we allow ourselves to make educated choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Book an appointment for a hearing assessment
To further prioritize your auditory health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a comprehensive hearing test. Proactive measures such as regular screenings can identify any possible problems early on, enabling timely interventions and personalized recommendations to protect your precious sense of hearing.