Say hello to James, a passionate music fan who seamlessly integrates Spotify into his work regimen, switches to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every instance imaginable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his continual companions, transforming his life into a fully soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and delight in the captivating world of music, but the very source of his joy may be damaging 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 connection between extended exposure to music and hearing damage?
As time pass, loud noises can bring about degeneration of your hearing abilities. We’re used to regarding hearing loss as a problem associated with aging, but an increasing amount of research indicates that it’s actually the build-up of noise-related damage that is the issue here and not anything inherent in the process of aging.
Younger individuals are more prone to noise-induced harm as their ears are still in the developmental phase. 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 use.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Listening to music at full blast without any limitations is the most dangerous approach. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it usually includes 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 below 80 dB.
- If you’re under 18, 40 hours is still acceptable, just be certain to keep the sound at a safe level, 75 decibels or lower.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with roughly 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each day. Although it may seem 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 trained to do effectively from a very young age.
The more challenging aspect entails tracking your volume level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually do not show volume in decibels. It’s measured on some random scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it could be as narrow as 1 to 16. You might be unaware of the maximum volume capacity of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
How to effectively monitor your music volume
To deal with this issue, a number of free noise tracking applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps supply real-time information into ambient noise levels, empowering users to adjust their music volume accordingly.
For this reason, many audiologists recommend utilizing one of the numerous noise level monitoring applications available at no cost. These extensively 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 changes accordingly.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
For example, a noise level of 80 decibels is similar to the sound generated by a basic garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Acknowledging this benchmark is crucial, as it represents the limit beyond which hearing damage becomes a tangible risk.
So, being extra cautious when surpassing this decibel limit is essential. Think about decreasing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume rather than listening to entire albums.
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing issues, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially permanent damage to one’s hearing. By being aware of when our ears are at risk, we allow ourselves to make educated choices in order to promote safer listening habits.
Schedule a hearing test
To further prioritize your auditory health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a thorough hearing exam. Taking proactive steps like consistent assessments can identify possible problems at an early stage, enabling quick actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.