James is a music aficionado who has mastered the art of integrating his favored music into his daily life, effortlessly transitioning from Spotify at his workdesk to Pandora during 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. He’s seldom observed without his headphones, which have become an essential part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into a personalized audio adventure. James takes comfort and joy in the engaging world of music, but the very source of his joy might be damaging his treasured ability to hear without him recognizing it.
Concerning our ears, there are both safe and harmful ways to indulge in music. Unfortunately, a, any us lean towards the second approach.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure result in hearing loss?
Over time, loud noises can cause deterioration of your ability to hear. We’re used to regarding hearing loss as a problem related to aging, but more and more research suggests that it’s actually the build-up of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything inherent in the aging process.
It also appears that younger ears are particularly susceptible to noise-related damage (they’re still developing, after all). And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the permanent dangers of high volume. 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?
Listening to music at full blast without any limits is the most hazardous approach. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it typically includes turning the volume down. The general rules for safe volumes are:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and maintain the volume lower than 80 dB.
- If you’re younger than 18, 40 hours is still fine, just be sure 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 each day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by rather quickly. Despite this, most individuals have a well-developed understanding of time management, a skill that is usually mastered during early childhood.
The more challenging part is monitoring your volume. On most smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. It’s measured on some random scale. Maybe it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You might be unaware of the maximum volume capacity of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
Tips for effectively keeping track of your music volume
To deal with 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 appropriately.
For this reason, many audiologists recommend 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. 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 comparable to the sound produced 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 substantial worry.
It’s important to exercise heightened vigilance when noise levels exceed this critical point. Consider decreasing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume rather than listening to entire albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can result in 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 enable ourselves to make educated decisions in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Set up an appointment for a hearing evaluation
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is advisable to contact a hearing specialist to book a comprehensive hearing test. Practical measures such as routine assessments can identify any possible issues early on, allowing for timely interventions and personalized suggestions to safeguard your vital sense of hearing.