James is a music aficionado who has excelled in the art of integrating his favorite music into his daily life, effortlessly shifting from Spotify at his work-desk to Pandora during his runs, and meticulously putting together playlists to perfectly enhance every activity, whether he’s pumping iron, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. His headphones are his constant partners, transforming his life into a fully soundtracked experience. James takes comfort and delight in the captivating world of music, but the very source of his joy might be damaging his cherished ability to hear without him recognizing it.

There are safe ways to appreciate music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. 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 ability to hear. Hearing loss is commonly linked to getting older, but recent studies indicate that it is mostly caused by damage from exposure to loud noises instead of being a normal part of getting older.

It also turns out that younger ears are especially vulnerable to noise-related damage (they’re still forming, after all). And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the long-term perils of high volume. An increasing amount of young individuals are experiencing hearing loss as a result of frequent use of loud headphones.

Is it possible to enjoy music safely?

Unregulated full volume is obviously the” hazardous” way to listen to music. There is a way to listen to music more safely, which usually means lowering the volume. The recommended safe volume levels are normally as follows:

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

Forty hours week translates into roughly five hours and forty minutes a day. Though it may appear excessive, the time can pass surprisingly fast. In spite of this, the majority of people possess a well-developed awareness of time management, a skill that is usually perfected during early childhood.

The more challenging facet entails tracking your sound level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs usually do not show volume in decibels. It’s gauged on some random scale. Perhaps it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You might be unaware of the maximum volume capacity of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.

How to effectively track your music volume

To deal with this problem, a number of free noise monitoring apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer immediate feedback on surrounding noise levels, helping users to fine-tune their listening volume to safe levels.

That’s why the majority of hearing specialists encourage the use of one of many free noise tracking apps. These apps– widely available for both iPhone and Android devices– will give you real-time readouts on the noises surrounding you. In this way, you can keep track of the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes as necessary.

Comparing relative volumes: from garbage disposals to dishwasher

By way of illustration, 80 dB is approximately comparable to the noise produced by a typical garbage disposal or dishwasher– audible, yet not overly loud. Acknowledging this standard is essential, as it represents the threshold beyond which hearing damage becomes a substantial hazard.

It’s crucial to exercise increased caution when noise levels surpass this critical point. Consider decreasing your exposure to exceedingly loud music by listening to specific songs at the highest volume rather than listening to 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 remaining mindful of when our ears move into the danger zone, we empower ourselves to make educated choices, with the ultimate goal of promoting safer listening practices.

Schedule a hearing test

For better prioritization of your hearing health, it is recommended to contact a hearing professional to book a thorough hearing test. Proactive steps such as regular assessments can identify any potential problems early on, enabling timely interventions and individualized recommendations to protect your vital sense of hearing.