Say hello to James, a Say hello to music enthusiast who perfectly integrates Spotify into his work regimen, switches to Pandora during his workouts, and curates playlists for every occasion imaginable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his continual partners, converting his life into a fully soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and delight in the captivating realm of music, but the very source of his happiness may be damaging his treasured ability to hear without him recognizing it.

There are safe ways to enjoy music and ways that are more hazardous to your hearing health. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second option.

What is the connection between prolonged exposure to music and hearing loss?

As time pass, loud noises can bring about degeneration of your hearing abilities. Hearing loss is typically linked to getting older, but the latest studies suggest that it is mostly caused by damage from exposure to loud sounds instead of being a normal part of aging.

Younger people are more prone to noise-induced harm as their ears are still in the developmental phase. And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the long-term dangers of high volume. A growing amount of young people are experiencing hearing loss as a result of frequent use of loud headphones.

Is it possible to enjoy music safely?

Unrestricted full volume is obviously the” hazardous” way to listen to music. But there is a safe(er) way to enjoy your music, and it typically includes turning the volume down. The general rules for safe volumes are:

• Adults should limit 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 approximately 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening every day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by relatively quickly. Even still, most people have a pretty solid concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re trained to do effectively from a very young age.

The harder part is keeping track of your volume. On the majority of smart devices, computers, and televisions, volume is not computed in decibels. Its value is determined using a somewhat subjective or relative scale. Maybe it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You might not have any idea what the max volume on your device is, or how close to the max you are.

Tips for efficiently keeping track of your music volume

To address this problem, numerous free noise tracking apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps provide real-time insights into ambient noise levels, enabling 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 apps– extensively available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises around you. In this manner, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes accordingly.

Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher

For instance, a noise level of 80 decibels is comparable to the sound produced by a basic garbage disposal or dishwasher – you can hear them, but they won’t blow your ears out. Identifying this standard is essential, as it represents the threshold beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible hazard.

It’s important to exercise increased caution when noise levels go above this critical point. Think about reducing your exposure to extremely loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume rather than listening to entire albums.

Prolonged exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing issues, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially permanent damage to one’s hearing. By remaining mindful of when our ears venture into the danger zone, we empower ourselves to make educated decisions, with the ultimate goal of fostering safer listening practices.

Schedule a hearing test

For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is advisable to consult a hearing specialist to schedule a comprehensive hearing test. Practical measures like routine assessments can detect any potential problems early on, allowing for timely interventions and individualized suggestions to protect your precious sense of hearing.