Meet James, a passionate music lover who perfectly incorporates Spotify into his work routine, switches over to Pandora during his workouts, and curates playlists for every instance imaginable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his constant companions, transforming his life into a fully soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and joy in the captivating realm of music, but the very source of his joy might be damaging his treasured ability to hear without him realizing it.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second option.
How does prolonged music exposure lead to hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to a decline in your auditory ability. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as a problem related to aging, but more and more research suggests that it’s actually the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the issue here and not anything intrinsic in the process of aging.
It also turns out that younger ears are especially vulnerable to noise-related damage (they’re still forming, after all). However, teenagers tend to ignore the possible dangers of excessive noise over time. An increasing amount of young individuals are experiencing hearing loss due to frequent use of loud headphones.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Unlimited full volume is clearly the” dangerous” way to listen to music. There is a way to enjoy to music more safely, which usually means reducing the volume. The suggested safe volume levels are usually as follows:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and maintain the volume below 80 dB.
- If you’re under 18, 40 hours is still acceptable, just be sure to keep the volume at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. Although it might seem excessive, the time can pass unexpectedly fast. Even still, most people have a fairly strong concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re taught to do successfully from a very young age.
The more challenging aspect entails keeping track of your sound level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs typically do not show volume in decibels. It’s assessed on some random scale. The range could be as wide as 1 to 100, or it could be as narrow as 1 to 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 deal with this issue, a number of free noise monitoring applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps provide immediate feedback on ambient noise levels, helping users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
For this reason, 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 surrounding 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
As example, 80 dB is approximately comparable to the noise produced by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not overly loud. Recognizing this benchmark is essential, as it represents the limit beyond which hearing damage becomes a tangible danger.
It’s important to exercise heightened caution when noise levels surpass this critical point. Consider decreasing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to certain songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Repeated exposure to increased volume levels can lead to hearing problems including tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make educated choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Book an appointment for a hearing evaluation
To further prioritize your auditory health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a comprehensive hearing test. Proactive steps such as routine screenings can detect any possible problems early on, allowing for timely interventions and personalized recommendations to protect your vital sense of hearing.