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Health Tip: Loud Music and Hearing Loss
A definite connection between permanent hearing loss
in children or teenagers due to the effects of loud music and the use of portable
music players has not been established. Nevertheless, as many as 60,000 individuals under
the age of 18 in the U.S. have severe hearing loss, and this number appears to be
rising.
The fact that people are losing their hearing at
much younger ages than they did just 30 years ago, along with the surge in sales
of personal listening devices, suggests that loud music may be playing a role.
How
does loud music affect the ears? Exposure to loud music, whether live or recorded,
can damage sensitive structures in the inner ear, resulting in noise-induced hearing
loss (NIHL). Once damaged, the sensitive structures, called hair cells, cannot repair
themselves. NIHL is related both to the decibel level of a sound, as well as the
length of exposure to it. Additionally, the risk of developing NIHL from exposure
to loud sounds is cumulative, adding up over a lifetime of exposure.
At what sound
level can damage to the ears occur? Sound level (or more correctly sound pressure)
is measured in decibels (dB). The lower limit of hearing is defined as 0 dB and
a normal conversational level is around 60 dB. Sound reaching 85 dB or stronger,
particularly if the exposure is prolonged, can result in permanent hearing damage.
Many personal listening devices generate sound levels considerably higher than 85
dB. An average digital music player reaches 105 dB at maximum level, which is 100
times more intense than the 85 dB threshold of ear damage. Sound from an iPod Shuffle
has even been measured at 115 decibels!
 What about the effects of prolonged listening?
As mentioned, it's not just the sound level that is a concern regarding potential
hearing damage. The length of exposure is also a critical issue. Hearing damage
can occur with as little as 15 minutes of exposure to music at 100 decibels. Even
using the so-called "safe" ear buds (e.g. iHearSafeTM Earbuds and Headphones) is
no guarantee against damage to the ears. While they may keep the volume below 85
dB, they can't control the length of time a listener uses their ear buds. Additionally,
the new digital music players are capable of storing enough music for hours of listening.
Users could use their ear buds or earphones for hours each day, increasing the risk
of cumulative damage to their ears.
What can be done to minimize the risk of hearing
loss? Fortunately, NIHL related to listening to loud music, whether live or recorded,
is almost completely preventable. Here are some tips for minimizing the risk of
developing NIHL from loud music:
- Researchers have determined that listening to
a portable music player with headphones at 60 percent of its potential volume for
one hour a day is relatively safe. This 60 percent for 60 minutes rule is a good
guideline for you or your children to follow.
- If noise levels reach the point
that you have to raise your voice to be heard more than 3 feet away, remove yourself
from the situation or wear earplugs.
- In situations in which live music is consistently
louder than 85 dB, consider the use of sound attenuating ear plugs. The ones used
by professional musicians can cost up to $300, however, "consumer" models are available
for as little as $10. Examples of these include Alpine MusicSafe Pro Natural Sound
Ear Plugs, Hearos Hi-Fi Natural Sound Musician's Ear Plugs, Etymotic Hi-Fidelity
Musicians' Ety-Plugs, and Macks Hi-Fi Hear Plugs Natural Sound Musicians' Earplugs.
- You know that you have abused your ears if you have ringing in the ears, a feeling
of fullness in the ears, or if speech sounds muffled. Give your ears a break and
allow the hearing to return to normal. After that, avoid repeat exposures.
If you
have questions regarding hearing loss from exposure to noise or loud music, please sign
into your account and send us your questions.
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