James is a music aficionado who has excelled in the art of incorporating his favored tunes into his daily life, effortlessly transitioning from Spotify at his desk to Pandora on his runs, and meticulously crafting playlists to perfectly enhance every activity, whether he’s working out, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. He’s seldom observed without his headphones, which have become an essential part of his daily life, turning every moment into an individualized audio experience. James takes comfort and joy in the captivating realm of music, but the very source of his happiness might be harming his cherished ability to hear without him realizing it.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. Regrettably, many of us tend to gravitate towards the latter.
What is the link between extended exposure to music and hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to a decrease in your auditory ability. We’re used to regarding hearing loss as an issue related to aging, but more and more research indicates that it’s really the build-up of noise-related damage that is the issue here and not anything intrinsic in the aging process.
Younger people are more prone to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental stage. However, teenagers tend to disregard the potential dangers of excessive noise over time. A growing number of young individuals are experiencing hearing loss as a result of frequent use of loud headphones.
Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?
Unlimited full volume is clearly the” dangerous” way to listen to music. There is a way to listen to music more safely, which typically means reducing the volume. The suggested 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 below 75 dB.
Breaking it down, you’re looking at about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. Though it may seem excessive, the time can pass unexpectedly fast. Even still, most individuals have a pretty solid concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re taught to do effectively from a really young age.
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 established using a somewhat subjective or relative scale. Maybe it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume range of your device or how near you are to reaching that limit.
How to effectively track your music volume
Several free noise monitoring apps can be found for both iPhone and Android devices to tackle this problem. These apps supply real-time insights into ambient noise levels, equipping users to calibrate their music volume appropriately.
For this reason, many audiologists suggest using one of the numerous noise level monitoring apps available at no cost. These widely obtainable apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, supply instant sound-level feedback on the ambient noise around you. In this manner, you can keep track of the decibel level of your music as it plays and make adjustments accordingly.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and beyond
For example, a noise level of 80 decibels is comparable to the sound produced by a basic 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 threshold beyond which auditory damage becomes a substantial danger.
So, being extra cautious when surpassing this decibel threshold is essential. Think about limiting exposure to overly loud music by indulging in select tracks at maximum volume rather than indulging in entire albums.
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can result in hearing problems, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially permanent damage to one’s hearing. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we allow ourselves to make educated choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Schedule a hearing assessment
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is advisable to contact a hearing professional to schedule a thorough hearing examination. Taking practical actions like consistent screenings can identify possible issues at an early stage, enabling quick actions and customized advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.