Meet James, a Say hello to music enthusiast who seamlessly incorporates Spotify into his work regimen, switches to Pandora during his workouts, and curates playlists for every instance conceivable, from cardio sessions to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his constant companions, converting his life into a fully soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and joy in the engaging realm of music, but the very source of his happiness may be damaging his cherished ability to hear without him recognizing it.
There are safe ways to appreciate music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second option.
What is the connection between prolonged exposure to music and hearing loss?
Over time, loud noises can lead to degeneration of your ability to hear. Hearing loss is commonly connected to growing older, but recent studies indicate that it is primarily caused by damage from exposure to loud noises instead of being a natural part of getting older.
Younger people are more sensitive to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental phase. 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.
Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?
Listening to music at full blast with no limits is the most dangerous approach. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it normally involves turning the volume down. The general guidelines for safe volumes are:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and ensure the volume remains below 80 dB.
- If you’re under 18, 40 hours is still fine, just be sure to keep the sound at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Forty hours per week translates into about five hours and forty minutes a day. That seems like a lot, but it can go by fairly quickly. Even still, most individuals have a fairly solid concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re taught to do effectively from a very young age.
The more challenging aspect involves tracking your sound level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs typically do not display volume in decibels. It’s assessed on some arbitrary 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.
How to properly monitor your music volume
Numerous free noise monitoring apps can be found for both iPhone and Android devices to address this problem. These apps provide immediate feedback on ambient noise levels, helping users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why most hearing specialists encourage 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 surrounding 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
As example, 80 dB is approximately comparable to the noise produced by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not overly loud. Recognizing this volume level is important because it denotes the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and substantial worry.
It’s crucial to exercise heightened caution when noise levels exceed this critical point. Think about reducing exposure to excessively loud music by enjoying select tracks at full volume rather than indulging in complete albums.
Repeated exposure to increased volume levels can lead to hearing complications including tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being mindful of when our ears move into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make educated decisions, with the paramount goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Set up an appointment for a hearing assessment
To further prioritize your hearing health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a thorough hearing exam. Taking proactive actions like regular screenings can pinpoint possible problems at an early stage, enabling quick actions and tailored advice to protect your valuable hearing.