James is a music aficionado who has mastered the art of incorporating his favored tunes into his day-to-day life, easily transitioning from Spotify at his workdesk to Pandora on 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. He’s seldom seen without his headphones, which have become an important part of his daily life, transforming every moment into an individualized audio experience. However, while James gets relaxaction and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he treasures could be quietly weakening his priceless sense of hearing.
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 approach.
How does prolonged music exposure result in hearing loss?
Over time, loud noises can lead to deterioration of your ability to hear. Hearing loss is typically connected to growing older, but the latest studies indicate that it is mostly caused 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. And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the permanent dangers of high volume. So there’s an epidemic of younger people 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 decreasing the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are usually as follows:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and make sure the volume stays below 80 dB.
- If you’re under 18, 40 hours is still fine, just be sure to keep the volume at a safe level, 75 decibels or lower.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each day. Though it might appear excessive, the time can go by unexpectedly fast. Even still, most individuals have a fairly solid concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re taught 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. Its value is determined utilizing a rather subjective or relative scale. The range could be as wide as 1 to 100, or it could be as narrow as 1 to 16. You might not have any idea 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 address this problem, a number of free noise tracking apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps provide real-time information into ambient noise levels, equipping users to adjust their music volume accordingly.
Because of this, many audiologists suggest utilizing one of the numerous noise level tracking 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. In this manner, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make adjustments accordingly.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
By way of example, 80 dB is roughly equivalent to the noise emitted by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not excessively loud. Acknowledging this benchmark is essential, as it represents the threshold beyond which hearing damage becomes a tangible risk.
It’s important to exercise increased vigilance when noise levels exceed this critical point. Think about reducing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to certain songs at the highest volume rather than listening to entire albums.
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing issues, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially permanent damage to one’s hearing. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we allow ourselves to make educated choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Make an appointment for a hearing evaluation
To further prioritize your hearing health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a thorough hearing test. Taking proactive actions like consistent assessments can identify possible problems at an early stage, enabling quick actions and customized advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.
