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Hearing loss and music

Adults and children are commonly exposed to loud music. Between ear buds connected to iPods or MP3 players and music concerts, loud music can cause hearing loss.

The inner part of the ear contains tiny hair cells (nerve endings).

  • The hair cells change sound into electric signals.
  • Then nerves carry these signals to the brain, which recognizes sound.
  • These tiny hair cells are easily damaged by loud sounds.

The human ear is like any other body part -- too much use and it may become damaged.

Over time, repeated exposure to loud noise and music can cause hearing loss.

Decibels of Sound and Hearing Loss

The decibel is a unit to measure the level of sound.

  • The softest sound that you can hear is 0 dB.
  • Normal talking is 40 dB to 60 dB.
  • A rock concert is between 110 dB and 120 dB, and can be as high as 140 dB in front of the speakers.
  • Headphones are 110 dB.

The risk of damage to your hearing when listening to music depends on:

  • How loud the music is
  • How close you may be to speakers
  • How long and how often you are exposed to loud music
  • Headphone use
  • Family history of hearing loss

Jobs or activities that increase your chance of hearing loss music are:

  • Being a musician, sound crew member, or recording engineer
  • Working at a night club
  • Attending concerts
  • Using portable music devices with headphones

Children who play in school bands can be exposed to high decibel sounds, depending on which instruments they sit around.

When at a Concert

Rolled-up napkins or tissues do almost nothing to protect your ears at concerts.

Two types of earplugs are available to wear:

  • Foam earplugs, offered at stores, help reduce noise. They will muffle sound and voices but can fit poorly.
  • Custom-fit musician earplugs improve fit and do not change the sound quality.

Other tips while in music venues are:

  • Sit at least 10 feet away from speakers, and it is best to sit even farther away
  • Takebreaks in quieter areas. Limit your time around noise. 
  • Move around venues to find a quieter spot.
  • Avoid having others shout in your ear to be heard. This can cause further harm to your ears.
  • Avoid too much alcohol, which can make you unaware of the pain louder sounds can cause.

Rest your ears for 24 hours after noise exposure to give them a chance to recover.

How to Listen to Music on Your iPod or MP3 Player

The small ear bud style headphones (inserted into the ears) do not block outside sounds. Users tend to turn up the volume over other noise.

If you wear headphones, the volume is too loud if a person standing near you can hear the music coming through the headphones.

Other tips about headphones are:

  • Decrease the amount of time you use headphones.
  • Turn down the volume. Listening to music at level 5 or above for just 15 minutes per day may cause long-term hearing damage.

When to Call the Doctor

If you have ringing or “muffling” in your ears for more than 24 hours after exposure to loud music, get a hearing check-up.Have your hearing checked by an audiologist.

See your health care provider for signs of hearing loss if:

  • Some sounds seem too loud
  • It is easier to hear men's voices than women's voices
  • You have trouble telling high-pitched sounds (such as "s" or "th") from one another
  • Other people's voices sound mumbled or slurred
  • You need to turn the television or radio up or down
  • You have ringing or a full feeling in your ears

Alternate Names

Noise induced hearing loss - music; Sensory hearing loss - music

References

Arts HA. Sensorineural hearing loss in adults. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2010:chap 149.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. NIH Pub. No. 97-4233. Updated: October 2008.

Update Date: 5/13/2012

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.

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