Meet James, a Say hello to music enthusiast who perfectly integrates Spotify into his work routine, switches over to Pandora during his workouts, and curates playlists for every instance conceivable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. He’s seldom seen without his headphones, which have become an integral part of his daily life, turning every moment into a personalized audio adventure. James takes comfort and delight in the captivating world of music, but the very source of his happiness might be harming his treasured ability to hear without him realizing it.
Regarding our ears, there are both safe and dangerous ways to enjoy music. Regrettably, many of us tend to gravitate towards the latter.
What is the link between extended exposure to music and hearing damage?
As time pass, loud noises can cause degeneration of your hearing abilities. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as a problem associated with growing old, but an increasing amount of research reveals that it’s really the build-up of noise-related damage that is the issue here and not anything intrinsic in the process of aging.
Younger people are more prone to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental stage. And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the lasting hazards of high volume. So there’s an epidemic of younger people with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to widespread high-volume headphone usage.
Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?
Unregulated max volume is clearly the” hazardous” way to listen to music. There is a way to listen to music more safely, which usually means decreasing the volume. The suggested safe volume levels are normally as follows:
- For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and keep the volume lower than 80 dB.
- If you’re younger than 18, 40 hours is still acceptable, just be certain to keep the sound at a safe level, 75 decibels or lower.
Forty hours per week translates into roughly five hours and forty minutes a day. Though it may seem excessive, the time can pass unexpectedly fast. Even still, most individuals have a pretty strong concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re trained to do successfully from a really young age.
The more difficult facet entails tracking your sound level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually 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 narrow as 1 to 16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume range of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.
How to properly monitor your music volume
To address this problem, a number of free noise tracking applications are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps provide immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, allowing users to adjust their listening volume to safe levels.
That’s why the majority of hearing specialists recommend the use of one of many free noise tracking apps. These widely accessible apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, supply instant sound-level feedback on the background noise around you. That way, you can monitor the dB level of your music in real time and make adjustments.
Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher
By way of illustration, 80 dB is approximately comparable to the noise emitted by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not overly loud. Recognizing this volume level is significant because it marks the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and substantial concern.
It’s important to exercise increased caution when noise levels go above this critical point. Think about reducing exposure to overly loud music by enjoying select tracks at full volume instead of indulging in complete 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 enable ourselves to make educated decisions in order to promote safer listening habits.
Set up an appointment for a hearing assessment
To further prioritize your hearing health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a comprehensive hearing exam. Taking practical steps like consistent screenings can pinpoint possible issues at an early stage, enabling quick actions and customized advice to protect your valuable hearing.