Say hello to James, an avid music lover who seamlessly integrates Spotify into his work routine, switches over to Pandora during his workouts, and curates playlists for every occasion conceivable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. He’s rarely observed 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 world of music, but the very source of his happiness may be harming his treasured ability to hear without him realizing it.
Concerning our ears, there are both safe and hazardous ways to indulge in music. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second approach.
How does prolonged music exposure lead to hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud music can result in a decrease in your auditory function. Hearing loss is typically connected to growing older, but recent 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 especially vulnerable to noise-related damage (they’re still developing, after all). And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the long-term perils of high volume. So there’s an epidemic of younger people with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to rampant high-volume headphone usage.
Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?
Unregulated max volume is clearly the” hazardous” way to listen to music. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your tunes, and it normally includes turning the volume down. The general guidelines for safe volumes are:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and keep the volume lower than 80 dB.
- If you’re younger than 18, 40 hours is still acceptable, just be certain to keep the sound at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Forty hours per week is about five hours and forty minutes a day. That seems like a lot, but it can go by fairly quickly. In spite of this, most people possess a well-developed awareness of time management, a skill that is generally mastered during early childhood.
The more challenging part is keeping track of your volume. On most smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. Its value is determined utilizing a rather subjective or relative scale. The range could be as wide as 1 to 100, or it could 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.
Tips for efficiently keeping track of your music volume
To deal with this problem, a number of free noise tracking apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, allowing users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why most hearing specialists encourage the use of one of many free noise tracking 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.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
For instance, 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. Recognizing this benchmark is essential, as it represents the limit beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible danger.
So, being extra vigilant when surpassing this decibel limit is important. Consider decreasing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Recurring exposure to elevated volume levels can result in hearing problems such as tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being aware of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make educated choices in order to promote safer listening habits.
Make an appointment for a hearing assessment
To further prioritize your hearing health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a thorough hearing test. Taking practical actions like regular screenings can identify possible problems at an early stage, enabling quick actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.
