James is a music enthusiast who has excelled in the art of integrating his favorite tunes into his daily life, easily shifting from Spotify at his desk to Pandora on his runs, and meticulously crafting playlists to beautifully complement every activity, whether he’s pumping iron, whipping up a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. His headphones are his continual companions, converting his life into a completely soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and delight 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.
There are safe ways to appreciate music and ways that are more hazardous to your hearing health. Regrettably, many of us tend to gravitate towards the latter.
How does prolonged music exposure lead to hearing loss?
Over time, loud noises can lead to degeneration of your hearing abilities. We’re used to regarding hearing loss as a problem associated with aging, but more and more research indicates that it’s actually the build-up of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything intrinsic in the process of aging.
It also appears that younger ears are especially susceptible to noise-related damage (they’re still developing, after all). However, teenagers tend to disregard the possible 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?
Unlimited full volume is obviously the” hazardous” way to listen to music. There is a way to listen to music more safely, which usually means decreasing the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are usually as follows:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and ensure the volume stays under 80 dB.
- If you’re under 18, 40 hours is still fine, just be sure to keep the volume at a safe level, 75 decibels or lower.
Forty hours per week is roughly five hours and forty minutes a day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by relatively quickly. In spite of this, most individuals possess a well-developed understanding of time management, a skill that is generally 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 established using a rather subjective or relative scale. The range could be as wide as 1 to 100, or it might be as small as 1 to 16. You might be unaware of the maximum volume range of your device or how near you are to reaching that limit.
Tips for efficiently keeping track of your music volume
To deal with this problem, numerous free noise tracking applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps provide immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, enabling users to tweak their listening volume to safe levels.
Because of this, many audiologists suggest using one of the numerous noise level monitoring apps 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. 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
As illustration, 80 dB is roughly equivalent to the noise emitted by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not overly loud. Identifying this volume level is significant because it denotes the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and substantial worry.
So, being extra vigilant when exceeding this decibel threshold is important. Think about decreasing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Repeated exposure to increased volume levels can trigger hearing complications including tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make informed choices in order to promote safer listening habits.
Book an appointment for a hearing evaluation
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is recommended to contact a hearing professional to book a comprehensive hearing test. Practical measures like routine assessments can detect any potential issues early on, enabling timely interventions and individualized suggestions to safeguard your vital sense of hearing.