James is a music enthusiast who has excelled in the art of integrating his favorite tunes into his day-to-day life, easily shifting from Spotify at his desk to Pandora during his runs, and carefully crafting playlists to perfectly complement every activity, whether he’s working out, whipping up a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. He’s rarely seen without his headphones, which have become an important part of his daily life, turning every moment into a personalized audio adventure. James takes comfort and joy in the captivating realm of music, but the very source of his joy may be damaging his cherished ability to hear without him recognizing it.
Concerning our ears, there are both safe and dangerous ways to indulge in music. Regrettably, many of us tend to incline towards the latter.
How does prolonged music exposure result in hearing loss?
Over time, loud noises can lead to degeneration of your hearing abilities. Hearing loss is typically connected to growing older, but the latest studies suggest that it is primarily triggered by damage from exposure to loud noises instead of being a natural part of aging.
It also appears that younger ears are particularly vulnerable to noise-related damage (they’re still developing, after all). However, teenagers tend to ignore the potential hazards of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger individuals with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to widespread high-volume headphone use.
Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?
Unrestricted full volume is clearly the” hazardous” way to listen to music. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it usually involves turning the volume down. The general guidelines for safe volumes are:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and maintain the volume below 80 dB.
- For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level lower than 75 dB.
Forty hours per week translates into roughly five hours and forty minutes a day. Although it might seem excessive, the time can pass surprisingly fast. Despite this, most individuals possess a well-developed understanding of time management, a skill that is typically perfected during early childhood.
The harder part is monitoring your volume. On most smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not measured in decibels. It’s assessed on some arbitrary scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it might be as narrow as 1 to 16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume capacity of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
Tips for efficiently keeping track of your music volume
To deal with this issue, a number of free noise monitoring apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps supply real-time information into ambient noise levels, equipping users to adjust their music volume accordingly.
Because of this, many audiologists suggest using one of the numerous noise level monitoring apps available at no cost. These widely obtainable apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, supply 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.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and beyond
For example, a noise level of 80 decibels is comparable to the sound produced by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Acknowledging this standard is essential, as it represents the threshold beyond which hearing damage becomes a substantial risk.
It’s crucial to exercise increased vigilance when noise levels go above this critical point. Think about reducing exposure to excessively loud music by enjoying select tracks at full volume rather than indulging in complete albums.
Prolonged 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 cognizant of when our ears move into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make informed decisions, with the ultimate goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Schedule a hearing exam
To further prioritize your auditory health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. Taking proactive actions like consistent screenings can identify possible issues at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and customized advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.
