Meet James, an avid music lover who seamlessly incorporates Spotify into his work routine, switches to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every instance conceivable, from cardio sessions to cooking and even gaming. He’s rarely seen without his headphones, which have become an important part of his day-to-day life, transforming every moment into a personalized audio experience. James takes comfort and delight in the captivating realm of music, but the very source of his joy may be damaging his treasured ability to hear without him realizing it.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and unsafe ways to indulge in music. Regrettably, many of us tend to gravitate towards the latter.
How does prolonged music exposure lead to hearing loss?
As time pass, loud noises can bring about degeneration of your hearing abilities. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as an issue associated with growing old, but an increasing amount of research suggests that it’s actually the build-up of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything intrinsic in the process of aging.
It also turns out that younger ears are especially susceptible to noise-related damage (they’re still forming, after all). However, teenagers tend to dismiss 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 usage.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Listening to music at full blast with no limitations is the most dangerous approach. There is a way to enjoy to music more safely, which typically means reducing the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are typically as follows:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and make sure the volume stays 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 week is about five hours and forty minutes a day. Although it might seem excessive, the time can pass unexpectedly fast. In spite of this, most people have a well-developed awareness of time management, a skill that is usually perfected during early childhood.
The more difficult facet involves keeping track of your volume level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs typically do not display volume in decibels. Its value is established using a somewhat subjective or relative scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it could be as narrow as 1 to 16. You might not have any idea what the max volume on your device is, or how close to the max you are.
Tips for effectively keeping track of your music volume
Several free noise monitoring apps can be downloaded for both iPhone and Android devices to address this problem. These apps supply instant feedback on surrounding noise levels, allowing users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why most hearing specialists recommend the use of one of many free noise monitoring apps. These apps– extensively available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises 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 instance, a volume level of 80 decibels is similar to the sound produced by a basic 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 surpass this critical point. Think about limiting exposure to excessively loud music by indulging in select tracks at maximum volume instead of indulging in entire albums.
Recurring exposure to increased volume levels can result in hearing problems including tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we allow ourselves to make informed decisions in order to promote safer listening habits.
Schedule a hearing assessment
To further prioritize your auditory health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a thorough hearing exam. Taking practical actions like consistent assessments can identify possible issues at an early stage, enabling quick actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.