James is a music enthusiast who has mastered the art of incorporating his favorite music into his daily life, easily transitioning from Spotify at his desk to Pandora during his runs, and carefully putting together playlists to beautifully complement every activity, whether he’s pumping iron, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. His headphones are his continual companions, converting his life into a completely soundtracked experience. However, while James finds relaxaction and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he loves could be quietly weakening his priceless sense of hearing.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more hazardous to your hearing health. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second option.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure result in hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to a decline in your auditory function. We’re used to regarding hearing loss as an issue associated with growing old, but more and more research indicates that it’s really the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything inherent in the process of aging.
Younger people are more sensitive to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental phase. However, teenagers tend to dismiss the possible dangers of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger people with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to widespread high-volume headphone usage.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Unrestricted full volume is clearly the” hazardous” way to listen to music. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your tunes, and it typically involves turning the volume down. The general rules for safe volumes are:
- Adults should limit their device listening time to 40 hours or less and ensure the volume remains 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 less.
Forty hours week is about five hours and forty minutes a day. Though it might seem excessive, the time can go by unexpectedly fast. Even still, most individuals have a fairly solid concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re trained to do successfully from a very young age.
The more difficult facet entails tracking your volume level. Technologies like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually do not display volume in decibels. It’s assessed on some arbitrary scale. The range could be as wide as 1 to 100, or it might 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.
How to effectively track your music volume
Numerous free noise monitoring apps can be found for both iPhone and Android devices to tackle this issue. These apps provide immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, enabling users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why the majority of hearing specialists encourage the use of one of many free noise monitoring apps. These widely accessible apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, provide instant sound-level feedback on the background noise 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
By way of example, 80 dB is roughly equivalent to the noise emitted by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not overly loud. Acknowledging this standard is essential, as it represents the threshold beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible hazard.
It’s important to exercise heightened caution when noise levels go above this critical point. Consider limiting exposure to excessively loud music by indulging in select tracks at full volume rather than indulging in complete albums.
Repeated exposure to elevated volume levels can result in hearing complications including tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being cognizant of when our ears move into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make educated choices, with the ultimate goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Set up an appointment for a hearing assessment
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is recommended to contact a hearing professional to schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. Proactive steps such as regular screenings can identify any possible issues early on, allowing for timely interventions and personalized suggestions to safeguard your vital sense of hearing.