Meet James, an avid music lover who perfectly integrates Spotify into his work routine, switches over to Pandora during his jogs, and curates playlists for every occasion imaginable, from cardio programs to cooking and even gaming. His headphones are his constant companions, transforming his life into a completely soundtracked experience. However, while James gets relaxation and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he cherishes could be silently weakening his priceless sense of hearing.

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

How does lengthy periods of music exposure result in hearing loss?

Over time, loud noises can lead to deterioration of your ability to hear. Hearing loss is commonly connected to getting older, but recent studies indicate that it is mostly triggered by damage from exposure to loud sounds rather than being a natural part of aging.

It also appears that younger ears are especially vulnerable 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 use.

Is it possible to enjoy music safely?

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 decreasing the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are typically as follows:

• For Adults: No more than 40 hours of listening on a device, and keep the volume lower than 80 dB.
• For Teens and Minors: You can still listen for 40 hours, but keep the volume level below 75 dB.

Forty hours week translates into about five hours and forty minutes a day. That might seem like a lot, but it can go by fairly quickly. Even still, most individuals have a pretty strong concept of monitoring time– it’s something we’re trained to do effectively from a really young age.

The more challenging aspect entails tracking your sound level. Technologies like smartphones, computers, and TVs typically do not show volume in decibels. It’s measured on some random scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it could be as narrow as 1 to 16. You might be unaware of the maximum volume range of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.

Tips for effectively keeping track of your music volume

Numerous free noise monitoring apps can be downloaded for both iPhone and Android devices to address this issue. These apps offer real-time information into ambient noise levels, empowering users to calibrate their music volume accordingly.

That’s why the majority of hearing specialists advise 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 surrounding 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

By way of illustration, 80 dB is approximately comparable to the noise emitted by a common garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not excessively loud. Identifying this volume level is significant because it denotes the point at which hearing loss becomes a real and substantial concern.

So, being extra vigilant when surpassing this decibel limit is important. Consider limiting exposure to excessively loud music by enjoying select tracks at maximum volume rather than indulging in entire albums.

Extended exposure to loud sounds can lead to hearing issues, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially irreversible damage to one’s hearing. By being mindful of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make informed choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.

Schedule a hearing test

To further prioritize your hearing health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to schedule a comprehensive hearing test. Practical steps such as routine screenings can detect any possible issues early on, enabling timely interventions and personalized recommendations to protect your precious sense of hearing.