James is a music aficionado who has mastered the art of integrating his favorite tunes into his daily life, effortlessly transitioning from Spotify at his work-desk to Pandora during his runs, and carefully putting together playlists to perfectly enhance every activity, whether he’s pumping iron, cooking a meal, or immersed in a gaming session. He’s seldom seen without his headphones, which have become an essential part of his day-to-day life, turning every moment into an individualized audio adventure. However, while James gets solace 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 appreciate music and ways that are more hazardous to your hearing health. Unfortunately, a lot of us lean towards the second option.

How does prolonged music exposure lead to hearing loss?

Over time, loud noises can lead to deterioration of your hearing abilities. We’re used to thinking of hearing loss as an issue associated with aging, but an increasing amount of research suggests that it’s really the accumulation of noise-related damage that is the concern here and not anything inherent in the aging process.

Younger people are more prone to noise-induced damage as their ears are still in the developmental phase. However, teenagers tend to ignore the potential 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.

Can one listen to music without any safety concerns?

Listening to music at full blast with no limits is the most hazardous strategy. There is a way to listen to music more safely, which usually means reducing 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 lower than 75 dB.

Breaking it down, you’re looking at about 5 hours and 40 minutes of listening each day. Although it might appear excessive, the time can go by unexpectedly fast. Even still, most individuals have a pretty solid concept of keeping track of time– it’s something we’re taught to do successfully from a very young age.

The more challenging facet 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. Maybe it’s 1-100. But maybe it’s 1-16. You may be unaware of the maximum volume capacity of your device or how close you are to reaching that limit.

How to effectively monitor your music volume

To deal with this issue, numerous free noise tracking apps are available for both iPhone and Android devices. These apps offer real-time information into ambient noise levels, empowering users to adjust their music volume appropriately.

That’s why most hearing specialists recommend the use of one of many free noise tracking apps. These extensively accessible apps, compatible with both iOS and Android platforms, provide instant sound-level feedback on the ambient noise around you. In this manner, you can keep track of the decibel level of your music as it plays and make changes accordingly.

A volume comparison: garbage disposals and more

For example, a volume 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. Acknowledging this benchmark is essential, as it represents the limit beyond which auditory damage becomes a tangible hazard.

So, being extra cautious when surpassing this decibel limit is important. Consider limiting exposure to overly loud music by enjoying certain tracks at full volume rather than indulging in complete albums.

Extended exposure to loud sounds can result in hearing problems, including ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, and potentially irreversible damage to one’s hearing. By being cognizant of when our ears move into the danger zone, we empower ourselves to make informed choices, with the ultimate goal of promoting safer listening practices.

Schedule a hearing assessment

To further prioritize your hearing health, consider reaching out to a hearing specialist to set up a thorough hearing exam. Taking proactive actions like regular screenings can pinpoint possible issues at an early stage, enabling quick actions and customized advice to protect your valuable hearing.