Meet James, an avid music enthusiast who perfectly integrates Spotify into his work routine, switches to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every instance imaginable, from cardio sessions to cooking and even gaming. He’s rarely observed without his headphones, which have become an essential part of his daily life, transforming every moment into an individualized audio adventure. However, while James gets solace and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he loves could be quietly weakening his precious sense of hearing.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. Unfortunately, a, any us lean towards the second approach.
How does prolonged music exposure result in hearing loss?
Extended exposure to loud music can lead to a decrease in your auditory function. Hearing loss is commonly linked to growing older, but recent studies indicate that it is mostly caused by damage from exposure to loud noises rather than being a natural part of getting older.
Younger people are more prone to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental phase. However, teenagers tend to disregard the potential hazards of excessive noise over time. An increasing amount of young individuals are experiencing hearing loss as a result of frequent use of loud headphones.
Can one listen to music without any safety issues?
Unlimited max volume is clearly the” hazardous” way to listen to music. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your tunes, and it typically includes turning the volume down. The general rules for safe volumes are:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and ensure the volume stays below 80 dB.
- For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level lower than 75 dB.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each day. Though it might seem excessive, the time can pass surprisingly fast. In spite of this, most people possess a well-developed awareness of time management, a skill that is typically mastered during early childhood.
The more challenging part is monitoring your volume. On most smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. Its value is calculated utilizing a rather subjective or relative 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.
How to properly track your music volume
Numerous free noise monitoring apps can be downloaded for both iPhone and Android devices to address this problem. These apps offer instant feedback on surrounding noise levels, allowing users to fine-tune their listening volume to safe levels.
Because of this, many audiologists suggest using one of the numerous noise level tracking applications available at no cost. These apps– extensively available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises around you. In this way, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes as necessary.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and beyond
By way of illustration, 80 dB is roughly equivalent to the noise emitted by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not excessively loud. Recognizing this benchmark is crucial, as it represents the threshold beyond which auditory damage becomes a substantial risk.
It’s crucial to exercise increased caution when noise levels go above this critical point. Consider reducing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to certain songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can result in hearing problems, 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 educated choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Make an appointment for a hearing assessment
To further prioritize your hearing health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a comprehensive hearing test. Proactive measures such as routine assessments can detect any possible issues early on, enabling timely interventions and personalized suggestions to protect your vital sense of hearing.