James is a music enthusiast who has excelled in the art of incorporating his favorite music into his daily life, effortlessly shifting from Spotify at his work-desk to Pandora on his runs, and carefully crafting playlists to perfectly complement every activity, whether he’s working out, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. His headphones are his constant partners, transforming his life into a completely soundtracked experience. 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.
Concerning our ears, there are both safe and dangerous ways to indulge in music. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second approach.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure lead to hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can result in a decrease in your auditory function. Hearing loss is typically linked to getting older, but recent studies suggest that it is mainly caused by damage from exposure to loud sounds rather than being a natural part of getting older.
Younger people are more sensitive to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental phase. However, teenagers tend to dismiss the potential risks of excessive noise over time. An increasing amount of young people are experiencing hearing loss due to frequent use of loud headphones.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Listening to music at full blast with no limitations is the most hazardous strategy. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your tunes, and it usually involves turning the volume down. The general guidelines for safe volumes are:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and make sure the volume remains below 80 dB.
- If you’re younger than 18, 40 hours is still acceptable, just be certain to keep the volume at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Breaking it down, you’re looking at approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by rather quickly. Despite this, the majority of individuals possess a well-developed understanding of time management, a skill that is typically perfected during early childhood.
The harder part is keeping track of your volume. On the majority of smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. It’s assessed 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.
How to effectively track your music volume
To address this problem, a number of free noise tracking applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps provide instant feedback on surrounding noise levels, allowing users to adjust their listening volume to safe levels.
For this reason, many audiologists recommend using one of the numerous noise level tracking apps available at no cost. These widely obtainable apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, supply instant sound-level feedback on the ambient noise 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 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 denotes the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and tangible concern.
It’s crucial to exercise heightened caution when noise levels go above this critical point. Think about 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 irreversible damage to one’s hearing. By remaining cognizant of when our ears move into the danger zone, we empower ourselves to make informed choices, with the paramount goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Schedule a hearing assessment
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is recommended to consult a hearing specialist to book a thorough hearing test. Practical measures such as routine assessments can identify any potential issues early on, allowing for timely interventions and individualized recommendations to protect your vital sense of hearing.