James is a music enthusiast who has excelled in the art of incorporating his favorite tunes into his daily life, effortlessly transitioning from Spotify at his workdesk to Pandora during his runs, and carefully crafting playlists to beautifully complement every activity, whether he’s pumping iron, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. He’s seldom seen without his headphones, which have become an essential part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into an individualized audio experience. However, while James finds solace and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he loves could be silently weakening his precious sense of hearing.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and unsafe ways to enjoy music. Unfortunately, a, any us lean towards the second approach.
How does prolonged music exposure result in hearing loss?
Extended exposure to loud music can result in a decrease in your auditory ability. Hearing loss is typically connected to getting older, but recent studies indicate that it is mainly triggered by damage from exposure to loud noises rather than being a normal part of getting older.
Younger individuals are more prone to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental stage. However, teenagers tend to disregard the potential hazards of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger people 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 without any limitations is the most dangerous strategy. There is a way to enjoy to music more safely, which usually means reducing the volume. The recommended 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 about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. Though it might seem excessive, the time can go by unexpectedly fast. Even still, most people have a pretty solid concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re taught to do successfully from a really young age.
The more challenging part is monitoring your volume. On most smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. It’s measured on some random scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it could 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 track 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 real-time insights into ambient noise levels, equipping users to calibrate their music volume appropriately.
Because of this, many audiologists suggest using one of the numerous noise level tracking applications available at no cost. These apps– widely available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises around you. In this way, you can keep track of the decibel level of your music as it plays and make adjustments accordingly.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and more
As illustration, 80 dB is approximately equivalent to the noise emitted by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not excessively loud. Acknowledging this benchmark is essential, as it represents the threshold beyond which auditory damage becomes a substantial hazard.
So, being extra cautious when exceeding this decibel limit is essential. Consider reducing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to specific 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 remaining mindful of when our ears move into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make informed choices, with the ultimate goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Make an appointment for a hearing evaluation
To further prioritize your auditory health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. Proactive measures like routine screenings can detect any potential issues early on, enabling timely interventions and individualized suggestions to protect your precious sense of hearing.