Beverly Hills Hearing Center was founded in 1983 by Bonnie Baehr. Prior to that, Dr. Baehr practiced at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles as a staff audiologist for seven years. She was involved with diagnostic testing, hearing aid evaluations, research and rehabilitation. Dr. Baehr did her clinical fellowship training at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in downtown Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech Language and Hearing Association, California Academy of Audiology and Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
Latest posts by Bonnie L. Baehr, Au.D. (see all)
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Music has the power to evoke emotions and even create lasting memories. However, the joy of music should never come at the cost of our hearing health. Prolonged exposure to loud music can lead to permanent hearing damage and other auditory issues. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to enjoy music while safeguarding your hearing.
Understanding the Risks
Before delving into how to protect your hearing while enjoying music, it’s important to understand the risks associated with prolonged exposure to loud sounds. When sound reaches 85 decibels (dB) or higher, it can cause damage to the delicate hair cells in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss over time.
Many music events, concerts, and even personal listening devices can generate sound levels well above this threshold. Therefore, we need to be aware of the potential risks and take proactive measures to mitigate these risks.
Use Hearing Protection
One of the most effective ways to enjoy music without damaging your hearing is to use hearing protection, especially in loud environments. High-fidelity earplugs are designed to reduce the volume of sound without sacrificing the quality of the music.
These earplugs attenuate sounds evenly across frequencies, preserving the integrity of the music while lowering the overall volume. Whether you’re attending a concert, music festival, or any other loud event, investing in a pair of quality earplugs can make a significant difference in safeguarding your hearing health.
Monitor Volume Levels
When listening to music through personal audio devices, monitor the volume levels to prevent overexposure to loud sounds. The 60-60 rule provides a helpful guideline: listen to music at 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time.
Additionally, consider using volume-limiting features available on many devices to cap the maximum volume output. By being mindful of volume levels, you can enjoy your favorite tunes without putting your hearing at risk.
Take Listening Breaks
Giving your ears a chance to rest can help you protect your hearing health, especially when exposed to loud music. If you’re attending a live music event or spending an extended period listening to music through headphones, take regular breaks to allow your ears to recover. Stepping away from the source of loud music for a few minutes can provide your ears with much-needed respite, reducing the cumulative impact of noise exposure and minimizing the risk of hearing damage.
Be Mindful of Surrounding Noise
In many listening environments, such as at concerts or in public spaces, background noise can make you turn up the volume. To counteract this, be mindful of your surroundings and aim to reduce exposure to excessive noise whenever possible. If you find yourself in a loud environment, consider stepping away to a quieter area to enjoy music without competing against background noise.
Customize Your Listening Experience
Incorporate customization features to tailor your listening experience to your preferences while safeguarding your hearing. Many audio players and smartphones offer built-in equalizers that allow users to adjust individual frequency bands to suit their hearing needs. By fine-tuning the audio output to your liking, you can create a personalized listening experience that is both enjoyable and safe for your ears.
Consider Noise-Canceling Technology
Noise-canceling headphones and earbuds can help you enjoy music in noisy environments without cranking up the volume. By actively reducing ambient noise, these devices allow you to listen to music at lower, safer volumes while still enjoying a clear and immersive audio experience.
Whether you’re traveling, working in a noisy environment, or simply seeking a more peaceful listening environment, noise-canceling technology can help protect your hearing without sacrificing music quality.
Educate Others About Hearing Protection
Are you at an event with friends? It’s the perfect opportunity to promote awareness and education. Encourage your loved ones to use hearing protection when attending loud events and share information about the risks of prolonged exposure to high sound levels.
Explore Custom Hearing Protection for Concerts
Enjoying music is a deeply enriching experience that should be accompanied by a commitment to safeguarding your hearing health. By understanding the risks of loud music exposure and using hearing protection, you can create a sustainable approach to music enjoyment that prioritizes hearing preservation. Whether you’re at a live concert or listening through personal devices, you can safely enjoy the music you love.
Visit us today to find out more about custom hearing protection designed for concertgoers.