Say hello to James, a passionate music lover who seamlessly incorporates Spotify into his work routine, switches over to Pandora during his workouts, and curates playlists for every instance conceivable, from cardio sessions to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his constant partners, converting his life into a completely soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and joy in the captivating world of music, but the very source of his happiness may be harming his cherished ability to hear without him recognizing it.
Concerning our ears, there are both safe and hazardous ways to enjoy music. Unfortunately, a, any us lean towards the second approach.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure result in hearing loss?
Extended exposure to loud sounds can lead to a decrease in your auditory ability. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as a problem related to growing old, but more and more research indicates that it’s actually the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the issue here and not anything intrinsic in the aging process.
It also appears that younger ears are especially vulnerable to noise-related damage (they’re still forming, after all). And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the lasting hazards of high volume. An increasing amount of young individuals are experiencing hearing loss as a result of frequent use of loud headphones.
Can one listen to music without any safety issues?
Listening to music at full blast without any limits is the most hazardous approach. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it normally includes turning the volume down. The general rules for safe volumes are:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and maintain the volume below 80 dB.
- For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level below 75 dB.
Forty hours week is about five hours and forty minutes a day. That seems like a lot, but it can go by rather quickly. In spite of this, the majority of people possess a well-developed understanding of time management, a skill that is generally mastered during early childhood.
The more difficult facet involves keeping track of your sound level. Technologies like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually do not show volume in decibels. It’s gauged on some arbitrary 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 close you are to reaching that limit.
Tips for efficiently keeping track of your music volume
Numerous free noise monitoring apps can be found for both iPhone and Android devices to address this problem. These apps offer instant feedback on ambient noise levels, helping users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
For this reason, many audiologists suggest utilizing one of the numerous noise level monitoring applications available at no cost. These apps– widely available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises around you. In this manner, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes as necessary.
A volume comparison: garbage disposals and more
By way of example, 80 dB is roughly equivalent to the noise emitted by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not excessively loud. Identifying this standard is crucial, as it represents the limit beyond which hearing damage becomes a tangible hazard.
So, being extra vigilant when exceeding this decibel limit is important. Think about limiting exposure to excessively loud music by enjoying select tracks at maximum volume rather than indulging in entire albums.
Extended 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 remaining mindful of when our ears move into the danger zone, we enable ourselves to make educated choices, with the paramount goal of promoting safer listening practices.
Set up an appointment for a hearing evaluation
To further prioritize your auditory health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a thorough hearing exam. Taking proactive actions like consistent screenings can pinpoint possible issues at an early stage, enabling quick actions and customized advice to protect your valuable hearing.
