James is a music enthusiast who has excelled in the art of integrating his favorite music into his day-to-day life, effortlessly transitioning from Spotify at his desk to Pandora during his runs, and meticulously putting together playlists to beautifully enhance every activity, whether he’s working out, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. He’s seldom seen without his headphones, which have become an integral part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into an individualized audio experience. James takes comfort and joy in the engaging world of music, but the very source of his joy may be damaging his treasured ability to hear without him recognizing it.
There are safe ways to appreciate music and ways that are more hazardous to your hearing health. Regrettably, many of us tend to gravitate towards the latter.
How does prolonged music exposure result in hearing loss?
Over time, loud noises can lead to deterioration of your hearing abilities. Hearing loss is commonly connected to growing older, but recent studies indicate that it is primarily triggered by damage from exposure to loud noises instead of being a natural part of aging.
Younger people are more sensitive to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental phase. And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the permanent hazards of high volume. So there’s an epidemic of younger people with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to widespread high-volume headphone use.
Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?
Listening to music at full blast with no limits is the most dangerous strategy. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it normally 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 ok, just be certain to keep the volume at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Breaking it down, you’re looking at approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by relatively quickly. Even still, most people have a pretty solid concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re trained to do effectively from a very young age.
The more challenging facet entails keeping track of your volume level. Technologies like smartphones, computers, and TVs typically do not display volume in decibels. Its value is determined utilizing a somewhat subjective or relative scale. Maybe it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You may not have any clue what the max volume on your device is, or how close to the max you are.
How to properly track your music volume
To deal with this problem, numerous free noise tracking apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer real-time insights into ambient noise levels, empowering users to adjust their music volume accordingly.
That’s why the majority of hearing specialists recommend the use of one of many free noise monitoring apps. These apps– widely 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 example, a noise level of 80 decibels is similar to the sound produced by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Acknowledging this standard is essential, as it represents the threshold beyond which auditory damage becomes a substantial hazard.
It’s crucial to exercise increased caution when noise levels exceed this critical point. Think about limiting exposure to overly loud music by indulging in select tracks at full volume rather than indulging in entire albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can result in hearing issues, 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 informed choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Schedule a hearing test
To further prioritize your auditory health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a thorough hearing test. Taking practical actions like regular assessments can identify possible issues at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and tailored advice to protect your valuable hearing.