James is a music enthusiast who has excelled in the art of integrating his favorite music into his day-to-day life, effortlessly transitioning from Spotify at his work-desk to Pandora during his runs, and carefully putting together playlists to perfectly enhance every activity, whether he’s working out, whipping up a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. His headphones are his constant companions, transforming his life into a fully soundtracked experience. However, while James gets solace and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he loves could be silently weakening his priceless sense of hearing.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. Regrettably, many of us tend to incline towards the latter.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure lead to hearing loss?
Over time, loud noises can lead to deterioration of your ability to hear. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as an issue related to aging, but an increasing amount of research suggests that it’s really the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything intrinsic in the process 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 dangers of high volume. So there’s an epidemic of younger people with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to widespread high-volume headphone use.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Listening to music at full blast without any limitations is the most hazardous approach. There is a way to enjoy to music more safely, which typically means decreasing the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are normally as follows:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and keep the volume lower than 80 dB.
- For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level lower than 75 dB.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each day. Though it may appear excessive, the time can pass unexpectedly fast. Even still, most people have a pretty strong concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re taught to do successfully from a really young age.
The harder part is monitoring your volume. On most smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. Its value is calculated utilizing a rather subjective or relative scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it could be as small as 1 to 16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume range 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 provide immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, allowing users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why the majority of hearing specialists advise 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. In this way, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes as necessary.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
As illustration, 80 dB is roughly comparable to the noise produced by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not overly loud. Recognizing this volume level is important because it denotes the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and substantial concern.
So, being extra cautious when exceeding this decibel limit is essential. Consider reducing exposure to overly loud music by enjoying certain tracks at full volume instead of indulging in entire albums.
Recurring exposure to increased volume levels can trigger hearing problems such as tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make informed choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Set up an appointment for a hearing evaluation
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is recommended to consult a hearing professional to book a comprehensive hearing exam. Proactive measures like routine screenings can detect any potential issues early on, allowing for timely interventions and personalized recommendations to protect your vital sense of hearing.