Can Your Eardrum Burst From Loud Music?

Summary

This video explores the dangers of loud music and noise on hearing, explaining how exposure to sounds over 70 decibels can damage hearing over time. It highlights the risks of attending nightclubs, listening to music at high volumes, and standing near extremely loud sounds like jet engines, which can rupture eardrums instantly. The video also touches on how eardrums can heal from rupture, but prolonged exposure can cause irreversible hearing loss. Interestingly, it reveals how certain cultures, like the Bajau people, intentionally rupture their eardrums for diving benefits. Viewers are advised to heed warnings and protect their hearing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Loud music can cause hearing loss over time and, in extreme cases, can rupture your eardrum instantly.
• 😀 The decibel scale measures sound energy, not loudness, and a 100 decibel sound is a billion times more intense than a 10 decibel sound.
• 😀 Sounds at 70 decibels or above, like a jackhammer or motorbike, can damage hearing if exposure is prolonged.
• 😀 A 150-decibel sound, such as a jet engine during takeoff, can instantly rupture your eardrum.
• 😀 Common sounds in daily life, like lawnmowers or chainsaws, reach up to 120 decibels, which are dangerous over time.
• 😀 Nightclubs typically play music at around 100 decibels, which can cause hearing damage in as little as 15 minutes.
• 😀 Listening to music at high volumes through headphones (up to 110 decibels) can lead to hearing loss in 5 minutes or less.
• 😀 A ruptured eardrum may cause symptoms like earache, loss of hearing, and mucus drainage from the ear.
• 😀 If your eardrum is ruptured, you might hear a whistling noise when you exhale through your nose.
• 😀 Although a ruptured eardrum can heal itself in 1 to 3 months, it may be prone to infections, and you should be cautious during recovery.

Q & A

Why do our parents often warn us about loud music and hearing loss?

Parents warn us about loud music because prolonged exposure to high-decibel sounds can damage our hearing over time, potentially leading to permanent hearing loss.

What is the decibel scale and how does it work?

The decibel scale measures the intensity of sound energy. It's logarithmic, meaning that a 100 decibel noise is not just 10 times louder than a 10 decibel noise, but actually a billion times more powerful.

What decibel level is considered potentially harmful to your hearing?

Noise levels over 70 decibels, such as those produced by a jackhammer or motorbike, can damage your hearing if you're exposed to them for an extended period.

Can you rupture your eardrum from normal activities like listening to music?

While listening to loud music won’t rupture your eardrum instantly, it can cause gradual hearing loss. A sudden, extremely loud sound (150 decibels or higher) could rupture your eardrum.

What are some common sounds that might cause hearing loss or ear damage?

Common sounds that can lead to hearing loss include loud music, chainsaws, lawnmowers, and motorcycles. Nightclubs, with music often reaching 100 decibels, can cause hearing damage after just 15 minutes of exposure.

What happens if you rupture your eardrum?

If your eardrum ruptures, you may experience ear pain, hearing loss, ear drainage, buzzing or ringing sounds, dizziness, and nausea. A doctor should be consulted immediately.

How can you test if your eardrum is ruptured?

An easy test to check for a ruptured eardrum is to plug your nose and gently exhale. If the eardrum is intact, you will feel pressure. If ruptured, you may hear a slight whistling noise.

Can a ruptured eardrum heal on its own?

Yes, a ruptured eardrum can heal by itself within 1 to 3 months, though it requires careful management to avoid complications like infections.

What are some causes of eardrum ruptures besides loud noise?

Eardrum ruptures can also occur due to ear infections, changes in air or water pressure (from flying or diving), and inserting foreign objects like Q-tips into the ear.

Why do some people intentionally rupture their eardrums?

Some people, like the Bajau people who live largely at sea, intentionally rupture their eardrums at a young age to alleviate the pressure from deep underwater diving, making it easier to dive without specialized equipment.