Music and Tinnitus: Finding Harmony

When tinnitus affects you, it’s essential to be cautious about what you expose your ears to, as there’s a well-established link between tinnitus and excessive noise levels. Many individuals initially encounter tinnitus following events like concerts, visits to shooting ranges, or working in loud environments. For music enthusiasts, the idea that their hobby may pose a risk to their hearing health can be concerning. However, your audiologist can guide you on how to continue enjoying your music without compromising your hearing further.

Know the Risks

Sounds that surpass 75 decibels (dBs) can cause risk your hearing health, increasing the potential for tinnitus. If you already experience persistent ringing in your ears, exposure to such high noise levels can exacerbate the issue, making it more noticeable. It’s crucial to exercise caution, even with common devices like smartphones, which can produce noise levels exceeding this threshold, especially when using earphones or headphones. It’s wise not to turn the volume all the way up when enjoying music through such devices.

Choose the Right Headphones

When you’re listening to music, how you listen to it can make a big difference. This is especially true when you’re wearing headphones. For instance, you can choose a pair with noise-cancelling technology, which cancels out external noises, allowing you to turn your music lower without the risk of it being blocked out by environmental noise. Similarly, you might want to try using over-ear headphones instead of in-ear headphones, which can also block out external noise by sealing the area around the ear. Talk to your audiologist about which headphones might be right for your specific needs.

Take Care of Your Ears

Aside from being mindful of how you listen to music, you should make efforts to protect your ears and your hearing health. This includes making sure you’re hygienic with any headphones or hearing protection, cleaning them on a regular basis and never sharing them. Regular hearing checkups can help you stay on track with your hearing health, as well, so that any changes can be more easily noticed and addressed.

Consider Hearing Protection

If you are planning to go out to a concert or to a live show, then it’s worth noting that in most spots in the venue, you’re likely to be exposed to excessive levels of noise and this is especially true if you’re closer to the speakers. There are several kinds of hearing protection that you can wear to reduce the level of decibels your ears are exposed to, and your audiologist can help you choose those that are both the most effective and most convenient. They may suggest earplugs or earmuffs, when in these environments. They may also be able to help by creating molds of your ears that can be used to make custom earplugs.

Get the Help You Need with Your Audiologist

Whether you want to manage your existing tinnitus, keep track of your hearing health or simply be able to go to a concert without having to worry, your audiologist can help. Make an appointment to learn more about how. They will be able to recommend the best course of action for you.