James is a music aficionado who has mastered the art of incorporating his favored music into his daily life, easily transitioning from Spotify at his desk to Pandora during his runs, and carefully putting together playlists to beautifully enhance every activity, whether he’s working out, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. He’s rarely seen without his headphones, which have become an important part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into a personalized audio adventure. However, while James gets solace and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he treasures could be silently weakening his precious sense of hearing.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and harmful ways to enjoy music. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second approach.
How does lengthy periods of music exposure result in hearing loss?
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can result in a decrease in your auditory ability. Hearing loss is typically connected to growing older, but recent studies suggest that it is mainly caused by damage from exposure to loud sounds rather than being a natural part of aging.
It also appears that younger ears are particularly susceptible to noise-related damage (they’re still forming, after all). However, teenagers tend to ignore the potential hazards of excessive noise over time. A growing amount of young people are experiencing hearing loss as a result of frequent use of loud headphones.
Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?
Unlimited max volume is obviously the” dangerous” way to listen to music. There is a way to enjoy to music more safely, which typically means lowering the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are usually as follows:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and maintain the volume lower than 80 dB.
- If you’re younger than 18, 40 hours is still acceptable, just be sure to keep the sound at a safe level, 75 decibels or less.
Forty hours week is about five hours and forty minutes a day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by rather quickly. Despite this, most people possess a well-developed understanding of time management, a skill that is generally perfected during early childhood.
The more difficult aspect entails keeping track of your volume level. Technologies like smartphones, computers, and TVs typically do not show volume in decibels. Its value is established using a somewhat 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 may not have any idea 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
To deal with this issue, numerous free noise tracking applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer real-time insights into ambient noise levels, equipping users to calibrate their music volume appropriately.
That’s why the majority of hearing specialists encourage the use of one of many free noise tracking apps. These widely obtainable apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, supply 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.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
For instance, a volume level of 80 decibels is similar to the sound generated by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Recognizing this volume level is important because it marks the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and substantial worry.
So, being extra vigilant when surpassing this decibel limit is important. Think about reducing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume instead of listening to entire albums.
Repeated exposure to increased volume levels can lead to hearing problems such as tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we allow ourselves to make informed choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.
Schedule a hearing exam
To further prioritize your hearing health, think about reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a thorough hearing exam. Taking practical steps like consistent assessments can identify possible issues at an early stage, enabling quick actions and customized advice to protect your valuable hearing.
