Say hello to James, a Say hello to music fan who seamlessly incorporates Spotify into his work routine, switches over to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every occasion imaginable, from cardio sessions to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his continual partners, transforming his life into a completely soundtracked experience. However, while James finds relaxation 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. Sadly, many of us tend to gravitate towards the latter.
How does prolonged music exposure result in hearing loss?
Over time, loud noises can cause degeneration of your ability to hear. Hearing loss is typically connected to growing older, but recent studies suggest that it is primarily caused by damage from exposure to loud sounds rather than being a normal part of getting older.
Younger individuals are more sensitive to noise-induced harm 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. A growing number of young people are experiencing hearing loss as a result of frequent use of loud headphones.
Can one listen to music without any safety issues?
Listening to music at full blast with no limits is the most dangerous strategy. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your tunes, and it usually 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 stays under 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 is roughly five hours and forty minutes a day. Although it may appear excessive, the time can go by unexpectedly fast. Despite this, the majority of individuals have a well-developed understanding of time management, a skill that is generally perfected during early childhood.
The more challenging facet involves keeping track of your volume level. Technologies like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually do not show volume in decibels. Its value is established using a somewhat subjective or relative scale. Perhaps it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You might be unaware of the maximum volume capacity of your device or how near you are to reaching that limit.
How to properly track your music volume
To deal with this problem, numerous free noise tracking apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer real-time insights into ambient noise levels, enabling users to adjust their music volume appropriately.
Because of this, many audiologists suggest utilizing one of the numerous noise level tracking applications available at no cost. These apps– extensively available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises surrounding you. In this way, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes as necessary.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and beyond
For instance, a volume 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. Identifying this benchmark is essential, as it represents the limit beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible risk.
It’s important to exercise increased caution when noise levels surpass this critical point. Think about reducing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can result in hearing problems, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially irreversible damage to one’s hearing. By remaining mindful of when our ears venture into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make informed decisions, with the paramount goal of fostering safer listening practices.
Book an appointment for a hearing assessment
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is advisable to consult a hearing professional to book a comprehensive hearing test. Proactive steps such as regular screenings can detect any possible problems early on, enabling timely interventions and individualized recommendations to safeguard your precious sense of hearing.