Many of us love live music – listening to the singer belting out classics we love to sing along to. But while it can be lots of fun nodding our heads to the tunesbooming out, it can also harm our hearing. Studies suggest that one in ten adults have had their hearing damaged by loud noises or music. So why is loud music damaging, and what can we do to prevent it from harming our ears?
Inside our ears, there are lots of tiny hair-like cells located in the cochlea. These cells are referred to as hair cells because very small bundles of stereocilia, which look like hairs under a microscope, sit on top of each cell. These groupings of stereocilia can be damaged when exposed to prolonged loud noises. Once damaged, these cells cannot respond to sound, and therefore we are left with noise-inducedhearing loss – which can be permanent. It can also leave us with a constant ringing sound in our ears, which is known as tinnitus. So, what sounds are too loud?
Sound is measured in decibels. The maximum safe level of sound humans are thought to be able to withstand without potential damage is 80db. The bangs or booms of a firework display can reach 120db, the whirring mechanical sound of a food processor can be around 85db, and live music can be around 110db. If these sounds continue for a long period of time, it puts our unprotected ears at risk.
So what can we do to protect our ears? Firstly, when listening to music, especially while using your headphones or earphones, make sure you keep it at a sensible volume. Also, don’t get too close to speakers that are blaring out music. And, if you go to live concerts, why not take some earbuds with you? Finally, if you get a ringing sensation in your ears, it might be wise to speak to your doctor as soon as possible. Your hearing is important, but there are some steps you can take to be as safe as possible.
