Say hello to James, an avid music enthusiast who seamlessly integrates Spotify into his work regimen, switches over to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every occasion conceivable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. He’s seldom observed without his headphones, which have become an integral part of his daily life, turning every moment into a personalized audio adventure. However, while James gets relaxation and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he cherishes could be quietly weakening his precious sense of hearing.
There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more hazardous to your hearing health. Unfortunately, a, any us lean towards the second option.
How does prolonged music exposure lead to hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud music can lead to a decline in your auditory function. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as a problem associated with aging, but more and more research suggests that it’s really the build-up of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything intrinsic in the aging process.
Younger people are more prone 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 long-term hazards of high volume. So there’s an epidemic of younger people with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to widespread high-volume headphone usage.
Can one listen to music without any safety issues?
Unlimited full volume is obviously the” hazardous” way to listen to music. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your tunes, and it typically 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 under 18, 40 hours is still acceptable, just be sure to keep the sound at a safe level, 75 decibels or lower.
Forty hours week is roughly five hours and forty minutes a day. That seems like a lot, but it can go by rather quickly. Despite this, most individuals have a well-developed understanding of time management, a skill that is typically perfected during early childhood.
The harder part is monitoring your volume. On the majority of 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 might be as narrow as 1 to 16. You might not have any idea what the max volume on your device is, or how close to the max you are.
How to properly track your music volume
To deal with this issue, a number of free noise monitoring applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps supply instant feedback on surrounding noise levels, enabling users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
Because of this, many audiologists recommend using one of the numerous noise level tracking applications available at no cost. These extensively obtainable apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, provide instant sound-level feedback on the background noise around you. In this way, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes as necessary.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and beyond
For instance, a volume level of 80 decibels is comparable to the sound generated by a basic garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Recognizing this standard is crucial, as it represents the limit beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible risk.
So, being extra vigilant when surpassing this decibel threshold is important. Consider decreasing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to certain songs at the highest volume rather than listening to entire albums.
Extended exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing issues, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially irreversible damage to one’s hearing. By remaining cognizant of when our ears venture into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make educated decisions, with the ultimate goal of fostering safer listening practices.
Schedule a hearing test
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is recommended to contact a hearing professional to book a comprehensive hearing test. Proactive steps like regular assessments can detect any potential problems early on, enabling timely interventions and personalized recommendations to safeguard your precious sense of hearing.