James is a music enthusiast who has mastered the art of integrating his favored tunes into his day-to-day life, easily shifting from Spotify at his workdesk to Pandora during his runs, and meticulously putting together 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, converting his life into a fully soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and delight in the captivating realm of music, but the very source of his joy may be damaging his cherished ability to hear without him recognizing it.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and hazardous ways to enjoy music. Unfortunately, a, any us lean towards the second approach.
How does prolonged music exposure result in hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can result in a decline in your auditory ability. Hearing loss is commonly linked to getting older, but the latest studies indicate that it is primarily triggered by damage from exposure to loud sounds instead of being a natural part of aging.
Younger individuals are more prone to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental stage. However, teenagers tend to disregard the potential risks of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger individuals with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to rampant high-volume headphone usage.
Can one listen to music without any safety issues?
Listening to music at full blast without any limits is the most hazardous approach. There is a way to listen to music more safely, which usually means reducing the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are usually as follows:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and ensure the volume remains under 80 dB.
- For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level below 75 dB.
Forty hours per week translates into about five hours and forty minutes a day. Although it might seem excessive, the time can go by surprisingly fast. Even still, most people have a fairly solid concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re trained to do effectively from a very young age.
The more challenging part is keeping track of your volume. On most smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. It’s gauged on some arbitrary scale. The range could be as wide as 1 to 100, or it might be as narrow as 1 to 16. You might be unaware of the maximum volume range of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
How to properly track your music volume
To address this problem, a number of free noise monitoring apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer immediate feedback on ambient noise levels, allowing users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why most hearing specialists encourage the use of one of many free noise monitoring 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 instance, a noise level of 80 decibels is comparable 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 benchmark is crucial, as it represents the limit beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible risk.
It’s crucial to exercise increased caution when noise levels go above this critical point. Think about decreasing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to certain songs at the highest volume rather than listening to entire albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing issues, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially irreversible damage to one’s hearing. By remaining aware of when our ears venture into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make informed decisions, with the paramount goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Book an appointment for a hearing evaluation
To further prioritize your hearing health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a thorough hearing test. Taking practical actions like consistent assessments can identify possible problems at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.