Meet James, a passionate music enthusiast who perfectly incorporates Spotify into his work routine, switches to Pandora during his workouts, and curates playlists for every instance conceivable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his continual companions, transforming his life into a fully soundtracked experience. However, while James finds relaxation and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he treasures could be silently damaging his priceless sense of hearing.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and harmful ways to enjoy music. Sadly, many of us tend to incline towards the latter.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure result in hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to a decrease in your auditory function. Hearing loss is commonly linked to growing older, but the latest studies suggest that it is mainly triggered by damage from exposure to loud sounds instead of being a natural part of getting older.
It also turns out that younger ears are especially susceptible to noise-related damage (they’re still forming, after all). And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the lasting dangers of high volume. So there’s an epidemic of younger individuals with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to rampant high-volume headphone use.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Listening to music at full blast with no limits is the most dangerous strategy. There is a way to listen to music more safely, which typically means lowering the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are normally as follows:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and ensure the volume stays under 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 lower.
Forty hours week translates into roughly five hours and forty minutes a day. That seems like a lot, but it can go by fairly quickly. Even still, most people 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 difficult aspect involves tracking your sound level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually do not show volume in decibels. Its value is established 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 may not have any clue 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
Several free noise monitoring apps can be found for both iPhone and Android devices to tackle this problem. These apps provide immediate feedback on ambient noise levels, enabling users to fine-tune their listening volume to safe levels.
For this reason, many audiologists recommend using one of the numerous noise level monitoring 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 way, you can keep track of the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes accordingly.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and more
As illustration, 80 dB is approximately comparable to the noise emitted by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not excessively loud. Acknowledging this benchmark is essential, as it represents the limit beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible risk.
It’s crucial to exercise increased caution when noise levels surpass this critical point. Think about decreasing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Repeated exposure to elevated volume levels can result in hearing complications such as tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being aware of when our ears are at risk, we allow ourselves to make informed decisions in order to promote safer listening habits.
Make an appointment for a hearing assessment
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is advisable to contact a hearing professional to book a comprehensive hearing examination. Practical steps like routine assessments can identify any possible problems early on, enabling timely interventions and individualized suggestions to safeguard your precious sense of hearing.