What’s a Safe Listening Volume?

saxophone playing at a concert

Listening to music is a great way to relax and enjoy some time by yourself. But did you know that the volume could be damaging your hearing? This post was created to give people the information they need to make an informed decision about their listening habits. Whether you use headphones or speakers, it’s essential that you take care of your ears and only listen to safe volumes!

Everyday noises we’re surrounded by 

Various daily noises can contribute to long-term hearing loss. This includes noisy work environments, going to concerts and clubs frequently, or even watching movies at low volumes in a room with other people talking. In general, the louder you listen to music, the more damage it does to your ears.

For listening devices (like headphones) to be safe, they need to have noise limiting earphones that block hazardous sound levels from getting into your ear canal while allowing lower volume sounds through so you can hear desired noises using less power than regular speakers would require. Most of these products comply with a 60dB-limit set by The American National Standards Institute and standards that hearing instrument specialists across the country have created.

You can also use apps to measure the noise levels around you. For example, the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app measures environmental noise and has a warning system that alerts you when the sound level reaches 85dBs. This is important because it’s not just music volumes we need to worry about, but everyday noises as well!

Is 85dBs too high?

The answer to this question is a little more complicated than a simple yes or no. It depends on how long you’re exposed to the noise and your sound sensitivity. For example, if you’re exposed to 85dBs for eight hours straight, that would be equivalent to listening to music at 100dBs for just one hour!

In general, it’s recommended that you avoid listening to anything louder than 60dBs for an extended period of time. This includes exposure to noises from both headphones and speakers. If you are going to listen to higher volumes, make sure that you take breaks often so your ears can recover!

What to do if you suspect you have hearing loss?

If you’re experiencing feelings of ringing in your ears or muffled hearing, it may be time to see a hearing instrument specialist (HIS). They will test the acuity (sharpness) and perform various other tests depending on where they suspect the damage is occurring. If their findings indicate problems with the structures inside your ear, they can recommend treatment options like using special devices or medications for specific conditions. It’s important to note that if you do have issues with how you hear things like speech sounds, this could negatively affect how well you communicate verbally over time, which means taking extra precautions now might pay off later!

What hearing aids are the best for you?

Various factors go into this decision, such as the severity of your hearing loss and what activities you want to do with them. For example, if you want something discrete for everyday use, in-the-ear style might be best. On the other hand, if you need more power to listen in noisy environments or have trouble understanding speech sounds, then over-the-counter hearing aids might be better. You can also get custom-made fitted aids from an HIS if you know that none of the off-the-shelf products work well for you.

What are the benefits of testing your hearing?

Hearing tests are a great way to find out how well you’re hearing things and help answer questions about why you have problems with different sounds. For example, suppose people tell you that there’s something wrong with the tone of your voice or some other sound quality they hear when speaking to you. In that case, a HIS can test your ability to discriminate between similar sounding words to see what might be going on. This can also provide valuable information for anyone who has concerns about their children’s listening abilities related to possible language deficits that may impact academic performance later down the road!

In conclusion, it’s essential to be aware of the noise levels around you and take steps to protect your hearing. This includes being mindful of how long you’re listening to loud music and using ear protection when necessary. In addition, if you are experiencing any symptoms of hearing loss, it’s best to consult an HIS like The Hearing Aid Place, who can provide a personalized treatment plan, you can also call them on 510-768-7091.