Say hello to James, an avid music lover who seamlessly incorporates Spotify into his work routine, switches to Pandora during his workouts, and curates playlists for every instance imaginable, from cardio sessions to cooking and even gaming. He’s seldom seen without his headphones, which have become an important part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into a personalized audio adventure. However, while James gets relaxation and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he cherishes could be quietly damaging his precious sense of hearing.
Concerning our ears, there are both safe and harmful ways to enjoy music. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second approach.
What is the connection between prolonged exposure to music and hearing damage?
As time pass, loud noises can lead to deterioration of your ability to hear. Hearing loss is typically connected to growing older, but recent studies suggest that it is mostly caused by damage from exposure to loud sounds instead of being a natural part of aging.
It also turns out that younger ears are especially vulnerable to noise-related damage (they’re still developing, after all). However, teenagers tend to dismiss the potential hazards 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.
Can one listen to music without any safety issues?
Unlimited full volume is obviously the” dangerous” way to listen to music. 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:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and maintain the volume below 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 about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each day. That seems like a lot, but it can go by fairly quickly. Despite this, most individuals possess a well-developed understanding of time management, a skill that is typically perfected during early childhood.
The more challenging part is monitoring your volume. On the majority of smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not measured in decibels. Its value is established utilizing a somewhat subjective or relative scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it could be as small as 1 to 16. You may not have any idea what the max volume on your device is, or how close to the max you are.
How to properly monitor your music volume
To deal with this issue, numerous free noise tracking apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps supply real-time information into ambient noise levels, enabling users to calibrate their music volume appropriately.
Because of this, many audiologists suggest using one of the numerous noise level tracking apps available at no cost. These apps– extensively available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises surrounding you. In this manner, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make adjustments as necessary.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
For instance, a volume 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. Recognizing this volume level is significant because it marks the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and tangible concern.
It’s important to exercise heightened caution when noise levels surpass this critical point. Think about reducing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Recurring exposure to elevated volume levels can lead to hearing complications including tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By remaining aware of when our ears move into the danger zone, we empower ourselves to make informed decisions, with the paramount goal of fostering safer listening practices.
Set up an appointment for a hearing assessment
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is recommended to consult a hearing specialist to schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. Practical measures like regular screenings can identify any possible issues early on, enabling timely interventions and personalized suggestions to protect your precious sense of hearing.