Detrimental Decibels: The Effects of Loud Music

Though hearing loss is commonly affiliated with old age, and sometimes even heredity, everyday noises can cause a long-term affect on hearing, eventually causing noise-induced hearing loss. Occupational and recreational noises are key factors in the loss of hearing we face in our lives. Particular jobs that include regular exposure to loud noises, such as military personnel, firefighters, police officers, factory workers, farmers, construction workers, heavy industry workers, pilots or flight attendants, musicians, and entertainment industry professionals, are at a higher risk for noise-induced hearing loss.

Recreational sounds also play a primary role in hearing loss.  Sounds such as hair dryers, music, traffic, and concerts can also ultimately lead to
hearing loss that can make the ears susceptible to future hearing problems.  Prolonged exposure and the volume of music can critically affect ears over time. There is availability of hearing aid supplies online that one can get.

Scientists have recently discovered that the rate of noise-induced hearing loss in younger people recently increased due to concerts, clubs, and new inventions, such as mp3 players. The decibel level of certain noises is what causes permanent hearing loss. The decibel level of a rocket launch is 180 decibels, whereas the decibel level of a normal concert is between 110 to 120. A clubʼs normal decibel level falls around 110, and depending on how high the volume of music is, listening to an mp3 player can be anywhere from 60 to 95 decibels.  Scientists advise all those who listen to music to turn down the volume to avoid possible noise-induced hearing loss. They also advise all those whose occupation involves regular exposure to loud noise to wear noise reduction ear muffs.

Despite these harmful exposures to noise, there are many precautions people can take to free themselves from hearing loss vulnerabilities.  It is crucial that when we listen to music, we must be wary of how loud we play it and how often we listen to it.  We have the tools at hand to avoid these vulnerabilities, but it is in our decisions whether we choose to use music as either a benefit, or a hindrance to our ears.