James is a music enthusiast who has mastered the art of incorporating his favored tunes into his day-to-day life, easily shifting from Spotify at his desk to Pandora on his runs, and meticulously putting together playlists to perfectly enhance every activity, whether he’s pumping iron, whipping up a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. His headphones are his continual companions, transforming his life into a completely soundtracked experience. However, while James gets solace and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he loves could be silently weakening his priceless 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.
What is the relationship between extended exposure to music and hearing loss?
Extended exposure to loud sounds can result in a decline in your auditory function. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as a problem associated with aging, but more and more research reveals that it’s actually the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything intrinsic in the aging process.
Younger individuals are more sensitive to noise-induced harm 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 individuals with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to rampant high-volume headphone usage.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Unlimited full volume is obviously the” dangerous” way to listen to music. 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 under 18, 40 hours is still fine, just be sure to keep the sound at a safe level, 75 decibels or lower.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with roughly 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by fairly quickly. Even still, most people have a fairly solid concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re taught to do effectively from a very young age.
The more challenging part is monitoring your volume. On the majority of smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. It’s measured on some random 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 near you are to reaching that limit.
Tips for effectively keeping track of your music volume
Several free noise monitoring apps can be downloaded for both iPhone and Android devices to tackle this problem. These apps offer real-time insights into ambient noise levels, empowering users to adjust their music volume accordingly.
For this reason, many audiologists recommend utilizing one of the numerous noise level tracking applications available at no cost. These extensively 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.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
By way of illustration, 80 dB is approximately comparable to the noise emitted by a common 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 important to exercise heightened vigilance when noise levels surpass this critical point. Consider reducing exposure to overly loud music by enjoying certain tracks at full volume instead of indulging in entire albums.
Prolonged 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 remaining mindful of when our ears venture into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make educated decisions, with the ultimate goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Schedule a hearing exam
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is advisable to consult a hearing professional to schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. Practical steps such as regular screenings can detect any possible problems early on, enabling timely interventions and individualized recommendations to safeguard your precious sense of hearing.
