Meet James, a passionate music lover who seamlessly incorporates Spotify into his work routine, switches 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 partners, converting his life into a completely soundtracked experience. However, while James finds solace and joy in the immersive world of music, the very thing he treasures could be silently damaging his precious sense of hearing.

There are safe ways to appreciate music and ways that are more risky to your hearing health. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second approach.

How does lengthy periods of music exposure lead to hearing loss?

Over time, loud noises can bring about degeneration of your ability to hear. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as an issue related to growing old, but more and more research indicates that it’s really the build-up of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything inherent in the aging process.

It also appears that younger ears are especially susceptible to noise-related damage (they’re still forming, after all). And yet, young adults are more likely to be dismissive of the permanent perils of high volume. So there’s an epidemic of younger individuals with hearing loss, thanks, in part, to rampant high-volume headphone use.

Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?

Listening to music at full blast without any limits is the most dangerous strategy. There is a way to listen to music more safely, which usually 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 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. Though it might appear excessive, the time can go by surprisingly fast. Despite this, most people possess a well-developed awareness of time management, a skill that is typically mastered during early childhood.

The more challenging facet entails keeping track of your volume level. Devices like smartphones, computers, and TVs typically do not show volume in decibels. Its value is determined using a somewhat subjective or relative scale. The range could be as broad as 1 to 100, or it might be as small as 1 to 16. You might not have any clue 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

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

Because of this, many audiologists recommend using one of the numerous noise level tracking applications available at no cost. These extensively accessible apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, supply instant sound-level feedback on the background noise around you. In this manner, you can monitor the decibel level of your music as it plays and make adjustments accordingly.

A volume comparison: garbage disposals and more

For instance, a noise 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 benchmark is essential, as it represents the limit beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible danger.

So, being extra cautious when exceeding this decibel threshold is important. Think about limiting exposure to excessively loud music by enjoying select tracks at full volume rather than indulging in entire albums.

Recurring exposure to increased volume levels can result in hearing problems including tinnitus and eventual hearing loss. By being aware of when our ears are at risk, we enable ourselves to make educated choices in order to encourage safer listening habits.

Make an appointment for a hearing evaluation

To further prioritize your auditory health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a thorough hearing test. Taking practical steps like consistent assessments can identify possible problems at an early stage, enabling prompt actions and tailored advice to safeguard your valuable hearing.