James is a music aficionado who has excelled in the art of integrating his favorite music into his day-to-day life, easily shifting from Spotify at his work-desk to Pandora during his runs, and meticulously crafting playlists to perfectly enhance every activity, whether he’s working out, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. His headphones are his constant partners, converting his life into a completely soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and delight in the engaging world of music, but the very source of his happiness might be damaging his treasured ability to hear without him recognizing it.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second option.
What is the relationship between prolonged exposure to music and hearing damage?
As time pass, loud noises can cause 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 suggests that it’s actually the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the issue here and not anything inherent in the process of aging.
Younger individuals are more sensitive to noise-induced harm as their ears are still in the developmental phase. However, teenagers tend to disregard the potential risks of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger individuals with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to rampant high-volume headphone usage.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Listening to music at full blast with no limitations is the most hazardous approach. There is a way to listen to music more safely, which typically means lowering the volume. The suggested safe volume levels are usually as follows:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and maintain the volume lower than 80 dB.
- For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level below 75 dB.
Breaking it down, you’re looking at roughly 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. That seems like a lot, but it can go by rather quickly. Even still, most individuals 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 more challenging aspect involves tracking your volume level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually do not display volume in decibels. It’s measured 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 might be unaware of the maximum volume range of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
How to effectively track your music volume
Several free noise monitoring apps can be found for both iPhone and Android devices to tackle this problem. These apps provide immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, helping users to adjust their listening volume to safe levels.
For this reason, many audiologists suggest utilizing one of the numerous noise level monitoring apps available at no cost. These apps– widely available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises surrounding you. In this way, you can keep track of 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 approximately equivalent to the noise produced by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not excessively loud. Identifying this standard is crucial, as it represents the threshold beyond which hearing damage becomes a substantial hazard.
It’s crucial to exercise heightened caution when noise levels exceed this critical point. Consider reducing exposure to excessively loud music by indulging in select tracks at maximum volume rather than indulging in complete albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing issues, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially permanent damage to one’s hearing. By remaining aware of when our ears move into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make educated decisions, with the paramount goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Set up an appointment for a hearing evaluation
To further prioritize your auditory health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a comprehensive hearing test. Proactive steps like routine screenings can detect any possible issues early on, allowing for timely interventions and individualized suggestions to protect your precious sense of hearing.