Meet James, an avid music lover who perfectly integrates Spotify into his work regimen, switches to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every instance conceivable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his constant companions, transforming his life into a fully soundtracked experience. However, while James finds solace and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he loves could be quietly damaging his precious sense of hearing.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more hazardous to your hearing health. Regrettably, many of us tend to incline towards the latter.
What is the relationship between prolonged exposure to music and hearing damage?
Prolonged exposure to loud music can result in a decrease in your auditory ability. Hearing loss is commonly connected to growing older, but recent studies indicate that it is mostly caused by damage from exposure to loud noises rather than being a natural part of aging.
It also appears that younger ears are particularly vulnerable to noise-related damage (they’re still forming, after all). However, teenagers tend to disregard the possible risks of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger people with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to widespread high-volume headphone use.
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 usually means lowering the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are typically as follows:
- Adults should limit their device listening time to 40 hours or less and ensure the volume remains below 80 dB.
- If you’re younger than 18, 40 hours is still acceptable, just be certain to keep the volume at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Forty hours per week is about five hours and forty minutes a day. Though it may appear excessive, the time can pass unexpectedly fast. Even still, most people have a fairly solid concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re trained to do effectively from a really young age.
The more difficult facet involves keeping track of your volume level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually do not show volume in decibels. It’s gauged on some arbitrary scale. Maybe it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You might be unaware of the maximum volume range of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
How to effectively monitor your music volume
To deal with this problem, numerous free noise monitoring apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, enabling users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why most hearing specialists advise the use of one of many free noise tracking apps. 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 keep track of the dB level of your music in real time and make adjustments.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
For instance, a volume level of 80 decibels is similar to the sound produced by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Identifying this standard is essential, as it represents the threshold beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible danger.
It’s important to exercise increased caution when noise levels exceed 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 result in hearing issues, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially irreversible 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 promote safer listening habits.
Schedule a hearing test
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is recommended to consult a hearing specialist to schedule a thorough hearing test. Taking proactive steps like consistent assessments can identify possible problems at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.
