James is a music enthusiast who has excelled in the art of incorporating his favorite tunes into his daily life, easily shifting from Spotify at his desk to Pandora during his runs, and carefully putting together playlists to beautifully enhance every activity, whether he’s working out, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. His headphones are his continual partners, transforming his life into a completely soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and joy in the engaging world of music, but the very source of his happiness might be harming his cherished ability to hear without him realizing it.
Concerning our ears, there are both safe and hazardous ways to indulge in music. Unfortunately, a, any us lean towards the second option.
What is the link between prolonged exposure to music and hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud music can result in a decrease in your auditory function. Hearing loss is commonly connected to growing older, but the latest studies suggest that it is mostly triggered by damage from exposure to loud noises rather than being a normal part of getting older.
Younger people are more sensitive to noise-induced harm as their ears are still in the developmental stage. And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the lasting dangers of high volume. A growing amount of young individuals are experiencing hearing loss due to frequent use of loud headphones.
Can one listen to music without any safety issues?
Unregulated full volume is clearly the” dangerous” 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 maintain the volume lower than 80 dB.
- If you’re under 18, 40 hours is still ok, just be certain to keep the sound at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by rather quickly. Even still, most people have a fairly strong concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re trained to do successfully from a really young age.
The more difficult aspect entails keeping track of your sound level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually do not show volume in decibels. It’s gauged on some arbitrary scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it could be as narrow as 1 to 16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume capacity of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
How to properly monitor your music volume
Several free noise monitoring apps can be found for both iPhone and Android devices to address this problem. These apps supply immediate feedback on ambient noise levels, enabling users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why most hearing specialists recommend the use of one of many free noise monitoring apps. These apps– widely 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.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and beyond
For example, a volume 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. Identifying this volume level is important because it marks the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and tangible worry.
It’s important to exercise heightened caution when noise levels exceed this critical point. Think about reducing exposure to overly loud music by indulging in certain tracks at full volume rather than indulging in complete albums.
Recurring exposure to elevated volume levels can result in hearing complications including tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. 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 assessment
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is advisable to consult a hearing professional to schedule a comprehensive hearing examination. Practical measures such as routine assessments can identify any potential issues early on, enabling timely interventions and individualized suggestions to protect your precious sense of hearing.