Say hello to James, a passionate music fan who perfectly integrates Spotify into his work regimen, switches to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every occasion imaginable, from cardio sessions to cooking and even gaming. He’s rarely seen without his headphones, which have become an important part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into an individualized audio experience. However, while James gets relaxaction and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he treasures could be quietly damaging his precious sense of hearing.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and harmful ways to indulge in music. Sadly, many of us tend to incline towards the latter.
How does prolonged music exposure lead to hearing loss?
As time pass, loud noises can bring about deterioration of your ability to hear. We’re used to regarding hearing loss as an issue 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 aging process.
Younger individuals are more sensitive to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental phase. However, teenagers tend to ignore the potential dangers of excessive noise over time. So there’s an epidemic of younger individuals with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to widespread high-volume headphone usage.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Listening to music at full blast with no limits is the most hazardous approach. There is a way to enjoy to music more safely, which usually means lowering the volume. The suggested safe volume levels are typically as follows:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and make sure the volume stays below 80 dB.
- If you’re under 18, 40 hours is still fine, just be certain to keep the sound at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Breaking it down, you’re dealing with about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. Although it may seem excessive, the time can pass unexpectedly fast. In spite of this, the majority of individuals have a well-developed awareness of time management, a skill that is usually perfected during early childhood.
The more challenging part is monitoring your volume. On most smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. It’s assessed on some random scale. The range could be as wide as 1 to 100, or it could be as small as 1 to 16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume range of your device or how near you are to reaching that limit.
Tips for effectively keeping track of your music volume
To deal with this issue, numerous free noise monitoring applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer immediate feedback on ambient noise levels, allowing users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why most hearing specialists advise the use of one of many free noise monitoring apps. These widely accessible apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, provide instant sound-level feedback on the ambient noise around you. That way, you can keep track of the dB level of your music in real time and make adjustments.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
For example, a noise level of 80 decibels is similar to the sound produced by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Identifying this volume level is significant because it marks the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and tangible concern.
So, being extra cautious when surpassing this decibel limit is essential. Consider reducing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume rather than listening to entire albums.
Repeated exposure to increased volume levels can lead to hearing problems including tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make informed decisions in order to promote safer listening habits.
Schedule a hearing assessment
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is advisable to contact a hearing professional to book a thorough hearing test. Taking proactive steps like regular assessments can identify possible problems at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and tailored advice to protect your valuable hearing.
