Say hello to James, an avid music lover who perfectly integrates Spotify into his work regimen, switches over to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every instance imaginable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his constant companions, transforming his life into a completely soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and joy in the engaging world of music, but the very source of his happiness might be damaging his treasured ability to hear without him realizing it.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. Sadly, many of us tend to incline towards the latter.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure lead to hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to a decline in your auditory ability. We’re used to regarding hearing loss as a problem related to aging, but an increasing amount of research indicates that it’s actually the build-up of noise-related damage that is the issue here and not anything inherent in the process of aging.
Younger people are more sensitive to noise-induced harm as their ears are still in the developmental stage. However, teenagers tend to ignore the possible dangers of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger individuals 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 without any limits is the most hazardous approach. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your tunes, and it normally includes turning the volume down. The general rules for safe volumes are:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and keep the volume lower than 80 dB.
- For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level lower than 75 dB.
Forty hours week is about five hours and forty minutes a day. Though it might appear excessive, the time can pass unexpectedly fast. Even still, most individuals have a pretty strong concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re taught to do successfully from a really young age.
The more challenging part is keeping track of your volume. On the majority of smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not measured in decibels. Its value is calculated utilizing a somewhat subjective or relative scale. The range could be as broad 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.
How to effectively monitor your music volume
To address this issue, a number of free noise tracking applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer immediate feedback on ambient noise levels, allowing users to adjust their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why the majority of hearing specialists recommend the use of one of many free noise monitoring apps. These apps– extensively available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises around you. That way, you can monitor the dB level of your music in real time and make adjustments.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and more
For instance, a noise level of 80 decibels is comparable to the sound produced by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Recognizing this volume level is significant 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. Consider limiting exposure to excessively loud music by enjoying certain tracks at maximum volume instead of indulging in entire albums.
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing problems, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially irreversible damage to one’s hearing. By being aware of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make informed decisions in order to promote safer listening habits.
Schedule a hearing exam
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is recommended to contact a hearing specialist to book a thorough hearing test. Taking proactive steps like consistent screenings can pinpoint possible issues at an early stage, enabling quick actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.