James is a music enthusiast who has excelled in the art of incorporating his favorite tunes into his daily life, easily transitioning from Spotify at his workdesk to Pandora during his runs, and carefully putting together playlists to beautifully enhance every activity, whether he’s working out, whipping up a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. He’s rarely observed without his headphones, which have become an essential part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into an individualized audio adventure. 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 recognizing it.
Concerning our ears, there are both safe and dangerous ways to indulge in music. Sadly, many of us tend to incline towards the latter.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure lead to hearing loss?
As time pass, loud noises can lead to degeneration of your hearing abilities. We’re used to regarding hearing loss as a problem associated with aging, but an increasing amount of research indicates that it’s actually the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the issue here and not anything inherent in the process of aging.
Younger individuals are more sensitive to noise-induced harm as their ears are still in the developmental stage. 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 rampant high-volume headphone use.
Is it possible to enjoy music safely?
Unrestricted max volume is clearly the” dangerous” way to listen to music. 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:
- Adults should restrict their device listening time to 40 hours or less and make sure the volume remains below 80 dB.
- For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level below 75 dB.
Breaking it down, you’re looking at about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. That seems like a lot, but it can go by fairly quickly. Even still, most people have a fairly solid concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re trained to do successfully from a very young age.
The more challenging part is monitoring your volume. On the majority of smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. It’s assessed on some random scale. Perhaps it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You may not have any clue what the max volume on your device is, or how close to the max you are.
Tips for effectively keeping track of your music volume
Several free noise monitoring apps can be found for both iPhone and Android devices to address this issue. These apps offer instant feedback on ambient noise levels, allowing users to fine-tune their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why most hearing specialists encourage the use of one of many free noise tracking apps. These extensively obtainable apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, provide instant sound-level feedback on the background noise around you. In this manner, you can keep track of the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes accordingly.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
As example, 80 dB is approximately comparable to the noise emitted by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not excessively loud. Acknowledging this standard is essential, as it represents the limit beyond which hearing damage becomes a substantial risk.
So, being extra vigilant when exceeding this decibel limit is essential. Think about reducing exposure to excessively loud music by indulging in certain tracks at maximum volume instead of indulging in entire albums.
Recurring exposure to elevated volume levels can lead to hearing complications such as tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being aware of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make informed decisions in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Set up an appointment for a hearing evaluation
For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is advisable to contact a hearing professional to schedule a thorough hearing exam. Proactive measures like regular assessments can identify any potential issues early on, enabling timely interventions and individualized suggestions to protect your precious sense of hearing.