Meet James, a passionate music lover who seamlessly integrates Spotify into his work regimen, switches over to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every occasion conceivable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. He’s rarely seen without his headphones, which have become an integral part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into a personalized audio experience. However, while James gets relaxation and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he cherishes could be quietly weakening his priceless sense of hearing.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and harmful ways to enjoy music. Sadly, many of us tend to gravitate towards the latter.
What is the relationship between prolonged exposure to music and hearing damage?
As time pass, loud noises can lead to degeneration of your hearing abilities. Hearing loss is typically connected to getting older, but recent studies indicate that it is primarily caused by damage from exposure to loud sounds instead of being a natural part of aging.
It also appears that younger ears are especially vulnerable to noise-related damage (they’re still developing, after all). However, teenagers tend to disregard the potential dangers of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger people with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to widespread high-volume headphone use.
Can one listen to music without any safety issues?
Unregulated full 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:
- 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 below 75 dB.
Forty hours week translates into roughly five hours and forty minutes a day. Although it might appear excessive, the time can pass unexpectedly fast. Despite this, the majority of people possess a well-developed awareness of time management, a skill that is usually perfected during early childhood.
The more difficult aspect involves tracking your volume level. Technologies like smartphones, computers, and TVs typically do not display volume in decibels. It’s measured on some random scale. Maybe it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You may not have any clue what the max volume on your device is, or how close to the max you are.
Tips for effectively keeping track of your music volume
Numerous free noise monitoring apps can be downloaded for both iPhone and Android devices to address this issue. These apps offer instant feedback on surrounding noise levels, allowing users to fine-tune their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why the majority of hearing specialists recommend the use of one of many free noise tracking apps. These apps– widely available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises around you. That way, you can keep track of the dB level of your music in real time and make adjustments.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and beyond
For example, a volume level of 80 decibels is similar to the sound generated by a basic garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Identifying this volume level is significant because it marks the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and tangible concern.
It’s important to exercise heightened vigilance when noise levels exceed this critical point. Consider reducing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Recurring exposure to increased volume levels can result in hearing problems such as tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being mindful of when our ears move into the danger zone, we empower ourselves to make informed choices, with the ultimate goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Schedule a hearing assessment
To further prioritize your auditory health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a thorough hearing test. Proactive steps like regular screenings can detect any potential issues early on, allowing for timely interventions and individualized recommendations to safeguard your precious sense of hearing.