James is a music enthusiast who has excelled in the art of integrating his favorite tunes into his daily life, easily transitioning from Spotify at his desk to Pandora during his runs, and meticulously crafting 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 partners, converting his life into a fully soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and joy in the engaging realm of music, but the very source of his happiness might be damaging his cherished ability to hear without him realizing it.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more hazardous to your hearing health. Regrettably, many of us tend to gravitate towards the latter.
What is the relationship between prolonged exposure to music and hearing damage?
Extended exposure to loud sounds can result in a decrease in your auditory function. Hearing loss is typically connected to growing older, but recent studies indicate that it is mostly caused by damage from exposure to loud sounds instead of being a natural part of getting older.
It also appears that younger ears are especially susceptible to noise-related damage (they’re still forming, after all). However, teenagers tend to dismiss 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 usage.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Listening to music at full blast with no limitations is the most hazardous approach. There is a way to listen to music more safely, which typically means lowering the volume. The suggested safe volume levels are usually as follows:
- 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.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with roughly 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. Though it may appear excessive, the time can pass unexpectedly fast. Even still, most people have a fairly solid concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re trained to do successfully 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. Its value is calculated using a rather subjective or relative scale. Perhaps it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You might not have any clue what the max volume on your device is, or how close to the max you are.
Tips for efficiently keeping track of your music volume
To deal with this issue, numerous free noise monitoring apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps provide real-time information into ambient noise levels, enabling users to calibrate their music volume accordingly.
For this reason, many audiologists recommend using one of the numerous noise level monitoring 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. That way, you can monitor the dB level of your music in real time and make adjustments.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
For instance, a noise level of 80 decibels is comparable to the sound produced by a basic garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Identifying this benchmark is essential, as it represents the limit beyond which hearing damage becomes a tangible danger.
So, being extra cautious when exceeding this decibel limit is important. Consider reducing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to certain songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Recurring exposure to increased volume levels can result in hearing complications such as tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being mindful of when our ears venture into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make educated decisions, with the paramount 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 comprehensive hearing test. Taking proactive steps like consistent screenings can identify possible problems at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and customized advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.