We are surrounded by music each and every day. We listen to music in our cars, at our jobs, and in our free time. We attend concerts and festivals, but rarely think about how the loud decibels can affect our hearing health. Whether you have a passion for listening to or creating music, it’s important to know how different decibel levels can damage your hearing.

Technology allows us to listen to and experience music in unique ways. Speakers, headphones, amplifiers, and subwoofers are all great instruments for a clear, beautiful sound. However, the booming volume in which music can come through these devices is something we need to be careful about. Music listeners, producers, DJs, and musicians are all at risk for hearing loss, even at a young age.

Understanding the effects is the first step. There is no need for you to forgo your love for music to protect your ears. You can still feel all the wonderful emotions music enables you to feel, just at a reduced volume or with a nice pair of earplugs. Below we discuss how different ways of enjoying music can cause irreversible damage and give you tips to minimize the overall effect. Know that our ear specialists of Omaha are here to help you.

Pick a safe spot at live music events

Any sound heard over 80 decibels (dB) can cause damage to your hearing. Most concerts are played from 105 to 120 dB, outdoor festivals being towards the end of that spectrum. If you’re right next to the speakers, dB levels can be close to 140, so it’s important to keep a safe distance. Know what safe dB levels are so you can continue listening to what you love. 

Loud music is correlated with hearing loss and tinnitus. Tinnitus is a ringing (or sometimes other noises) that only you can hear, and it can vary in intensity and frequency. If you suspect hearing loss, it’s important to get checked out right away. 

Turn down the volume on your headphones

Some headphones can reach a max dB of 100, so it is recommended to keep the level to 50 or 60 percent. On average, weekly headphone exposure is higher than the WHO recommended limit. Limiting the amount of time you use headphones to something similar to 5 to 15 minutes a day can make a big difference. Investing in a pair of noise-canceling headphones is also a great idea, as it allows you to more easily hear the music so you don’t need the volume up so loud. 

Our ear specialists of Omaha can help minimize the effects

You can get on top of noise-induced hearing loss by using hearing protection at music events to decrease the amount of noise entering your ears without distorting the sound. This helps prevent ear damage and the subsequent symptoms, such as tinnitus.

Modern hearing aids can help treat tinnitus, and some even look like headphones, so there isn’t any stigma to worry about. Don’t miss out on ways to manage your hearing loss so that it doesn’t worsen over time.

At Active Hearing Health, our Audiologists put an emphasis on getting your hearing checked early to prevent further damage down the road. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact our ear specialists of Omaha for a hearing test or consultation today!