Meet James, a passionate music lover who perfectly integrates Spotify into his work routine, switches over to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every occasion conceivable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. He’s rarely seen without his headphones, which have become an essential part of his day-to-day life, transforming every moment into an individualized audio experience. However, while James finds solace and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he cherishes could be quietly weakening his precious sense of hearing.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. 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 music can result in a decrease in your auditory ability. Hearing loss is commonly linked to growing older, but the latest studies indicate that it is mostly caused by damage from exposure to loud sounds rather than being a natural part of getting older.
It also turns out that younger ears are particularly susceptible to noise-related damage (they’re still forming, after all). However, teenagers tend to ignore the possible dangers of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger individuals with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to rampant high-volume headphone usage.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Unregulated max volume is obviously the” hazardous” way to listen to music. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your tunes, and it normally involves turning the volume down. The general rules for safe volumes are:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and keep the volume below 80 dB.
- If you’re younger than 18, 40 hours is still fine, just be certain to keep the volume at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with roughly 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. Though it may seem excessive, the time can go by unexpectedly fast. In spite of this, most individuals possess a well-developed understanding of time management, a skill that is generally mastered during early childhood.
The more challenging part is monitoring your volume. On most smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not measured in decibels. Its value is determined using a rather subjective or relative scale. The range could be as wide as 1 to 100, or it might be as small 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 address this problem. These apps supply immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, helping users to tweak 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– widely available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises around you. That way, you can monitor the dB level of your music in real time and make adjustments.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and more
As illustration, 80 dB is roughly comparable to the noise produced by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not excessively loud. Recognizing this volume level is important because it denotes the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and tangible concern.
It’s crucial to exercise increased caution when noise levels go above this critical point. Think about decreasing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume rather than listening to entire 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 remaining cognizant of when our ears venture into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make informed choices, with the ultimate goal of fostering safer listening practices.
Make an appointment for a hearing evaluation
To further prioritize your auditory health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a comprehensive hearing exam. Taking practical actions like consistent assessments can identify possible problems at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and customized advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.