Let’s talk about loud bass and your ears. Straight to the point –
Is loud bass bad for your ears?
Yes, loud bass can be bad for your ears. Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to bass-heavy music, especially at high volumes, can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychological complications. That’s why it’s important to understand what sound is and how it can impact our hearing.
So, without any further ado, let’s dive straight in.
Understanding Sound and Its Impact on Hearing
Before delving a little deeper, it’s important to understand what sound actually is. Sound, in its truest form, is simply a form of energy, not much unlike heat, light, or electricity. Just like many other sources of energy, sound can only move through objects, such as water or air, as it needs atoms or molecules for compression and rarefaction to create vibration.
Rarefaction happens when molecules are separated from one another whereas compression–as the name suggests–happens when molecules are compressed together by a source of energy, including sound
Amplitude and Wavelength
To better understand bass and its effect on human hearing, it’s important to understand the distinction between a sound’s wavelength and amplitude.
Amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of a sound wave from the equilibrium position. Measured in decibels (dB), the amplitude of a sound wave is directly linked to the pressure variations in the air. Louder sounds generate higher vibrations and, consequently, a larger amplitude.
Wavelength, on the other hand, refers to the gap between two identical points in successive cycles of a wave, such as crest to crest or trough to trough. It is inversely proportional to frequency, hence a greater distance between successive points in a wavelength corresponds to a lower frequency.
For example, below is a sound wave with a frequency of 200 Hz in a specific time frame. Notice the three complete wave cycles (or frequency peaks):
Now, let’s compare it with a 5,000 Hz sound wave below. As you can see, there are a significantly higher number of wave cycles in the same time frame, indicating a much higher frequency:
Frequency
Now, let’s talk about frequency. You may have heard audiophiles using terms like highs, mids, and lows. Ever wonder what they meant? Well, these terms merely refer to three main frequency spectrums of sound waves:
High frequencies, which are also called ‘treble,’ range from 2,000 Hz to 20,000 Hz (20 KHz). Instruments such as violin, cymbals, and piccolo are all high-frequency instruments.
Mid frequencies range from 200 Hz to 2,000 Hz (2 KHz) and are produced by musical instruments such as the guitar, harmonica, accordion, etc. Additionally, most environmental noises also fall in this frequency spectrum.
Low frequencies, also called bass, range from 20 Hz to 200 Hz. Bass guitars, double bass, organ, tuba, etc. are all low-frequency musical instruments. Additionally, human vocals also fall into low frequencies, with adult males having a typical vocal frequency range of 85 Hz to 155 Hz.
Females, on the other hand, speak in slightly higher frequencies, ranging from 165 to 200 Hz. In fact, recent studies show that some women’s vocals can even reach mid-range frequencies and go as high as 255 Hz.
The Anatomy of the Ear and Bass
To better understand the relation between bass and ear, we first have to discuss the basics of human ear anatomy.
Structure of the Human Ear
First, sound waves travel through our ears’ external auditory canal which leads them to the tympanic membrane, also known as the eardrum. The eardrum consists of a thin, highly sensitive membrane that vibrates when a sound comes into contact with it. These vibrations are picked up by the tiny bones located in the inner ear, which are collectively called ossicles.
Ossicles consist of three bones: Malleus, Incus, and Stapes. These bones amplify the sound and send it to the cochlea, which is filled with fluid and tiny hair cells called stereocilia that change and ‘translate’ the mechanical vibration of the eardrum into pure electrical signals. These electrical signals are then interpreted by our brain via the auditory nerve.
Scientific Studies on Bass and Hearing Health
Any loud-frequency sound wave can potentially damage your ear, and low-frequency bass is no exception. Cochlea, in particular, is highly susceptible to damage from loud bass due to the delicate stereocilia cells located inside. A damaged stereocilia can’t convert mechanical sound waves into electrical signals that are interpretable by the human brain, leading to permanent hearing loss.
The same can be said about eardrums, which are highly sensitive to sound. Eardrums start to get damaged at noise levels higher than 70 dB. Rock concerts, in particular, can get as loud as 115 dB and just a few minutes of exposure without hearing protection can potentially cause hearing loss.
One research study showed that Disc Jockeys (DJs) are “at a substantial risk for developing noise-induced hearing loss, as average sound levels reached 96 dB during observed performances.” 23 DJs took part in the study, of which 74% reported post-exposure tinnitus due to prolonged exposure to loud music.
Another survey of 52,000 young male subjects concluded that listeners who habitually exceed 70 and 80 dB of music intensity are “at risk of developing permanent music-induced hearing loss.”
Similarly, a loud bass can cause ossicles, the three tiny bones in the inner ear canal, to vibrate excessively. This can cause hearing fatigue and prolonged exposure to powerful bass can even lead to permanent damage of the ossicles and auditory nerve, as determined by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).
Potential Harms of Listening to Bass-Heavy Music
There are several potential harms associated with listening to bass-heavy music and it’s important to be vary of them if you’ve a habit of cranking up the bass of your deck with a powerful subwoofer.
Hearing Loss
The first thing you should be concerned about is hearing loss. Several scientific sources, including (the CDC), the Journal of Otolaryngology, and the CHC (Center for Hearing and Communication) have concluded that prolonged exposure to sound pressure levels above 70 dB can cause permanent hearing loss. The World Health Organization (WHO) specifies 55 dB as the ideal maximum sound exposure level without any hearing protection.
Tinnitus
Hearing loss can also lead to tinnitus, which is a ringing sensation in one or both ears. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Noises of tinnitus may vary in pitch from a low roar to a high squeal, and you may hear it in one or both ears.” Medical News Today confirms that hearing loss can potentially lead to permanent tinnitus due to “changes in the neural circuits in the brain.”
Psychological Implications
Aside from physical harm, listening to bass-heavy music can also have psychological implications. According to clinical psychologist Prof. Bart P. Billings, “Long-term exposure to excessive levels of High-Intensity Low Frequency (HI/LF) sound, such as that produced by battlefield noise, airplanes, highly amplified bass music, racing cars, etc., cannot only be physically harmful but can cause complications that can lead to death.”
Similarly, Prof. Frederick Harms of the British Royal Academy believes that loud music can cause “psychological imbalances, insomnia, decreased appetite, social withdrawal, weakened immune system, and in some cases a nervous breakdown that can be fatal.”
So, it’s best to err on the side of caution before cranking up the volume of your powerful home theater or car stereo to prevent any health risks.
Myth-busting: Common Misconceptions about Bass
Now, it’s time to do some classic myth-busting! Here, we will be taking a quick look at some of the most commonly held misconceptions about bass and see whether or not these claims are baseless, no pun intended!
Myth 1: Bass Exposure Has Zero Health Benefits
While it’s true that bass can have devastating effects on your health and psyche, it can also have some positive effects as well. A research conducted by Northwestern University, Illinois came to the conclusion that “listeners…both consciously and unconsciously, [found] that music with more bass made them feel more powerful than identical music with less bass.”
So, bass has potential benefits as well, as long as you keep the volume in check!
Myth 2: Bass Can Only Be Felt, Not Heard
Unlike treble, you can actually ‘feel’ bass, that part of the myth is true. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t hear bass at all! Sub-bass ranges from 20 Hz to 60 Hz whereas ‘regular’ bass ranges from 60 Hz to 250 Hz. And since the human hearing range is between 20 Hz to 20 KHz, it’s clear that human ears are indeed capable of detecting bass!
Myth 3: More Bass = Better Sound Quality
Bass does make the sound ‘pop,’ literally! However, too much bass can actually worsen the sound quality by drowning out the mids and high-frequency treble. So, it’s best not to push the bass too high for a balanced sound and an enjoyable listening experience.
Myth 4: Bass is Only Good for Certain Music Genres
Certain music genres, notably rap, and hip-hop, are indeed best enjoyed with a boomy, bassy speaker system. However, that doesn’t mean other music genres don’t benefit from it. Bass adds depth to any music genre, particularly when the song features low-frequency musical instruments such as bass guitars, tokoloshe, bass banjo, bass balalaika, etc.
Myth 5: Only Large Diameter Speakers Produce Good Bass
This myth actually used to be a fact. But with modern woofer and subwoofer designs which are tuned specifically for low-frequency performance, that’s no longer the case. It’s entirely possible for a small-diameter, premium-quality subwoofer to trade blows with larger subwoofers.
How to Protect Your Ears from Loud Bass and Sound?
The best way to protect your ears from loud bass is by lowering the bass volume or tweaking the equalizer (if you’ve one) to emphasize less on low frequency and more on mid-range and treble. It’s also important to carefully choose the subwoofers for your home theater or car sound system and not to go too overboard to prevent any potential hearing damage.
However, it’s not always possible to lower the volume. Sometimes, you’re at a club or a concert, and obviously, there isn’t much you can do about the bass in those situations. Similarly, if you carpool with someone who likes to listen to bass-heavy music, then you can’t do much about the bass in that situation either without sounding rude.
But if you find yourself in a similar situation then don’t worry! Here, we’ve carefully handpicked the best earplugs you can buy right now.
Protecting Ears from the Loud Bass of Clubs and Concerts
Loop Experience Earplugs: Loop experience earplugs are high-fidelity earplugs that are good for up to 18 dB of noise cancellation. They come with 8 ear tips (XS, S, M, L) and come in a variety of colors such as Black, Amber, Equinox, Flux, Sapphire, Gold, Rose Gold, and Silver. The earplugs are made of silicone, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, making them sweat-free and durable.
Decibullz Professional Earplugs: Decibullz Professional Earplugs are passive membrane filters that are tuned specifically to keep the sound as natural as possible, making them an ideal choice for concertgoers. The earplugs feature a moldable EZ shape system which can be remolded exactly the way you like it for maximum convenience and comfort. The earplugs come with a premium carrying case, along with three sets of S, M, and L sizes triple flange tips.
Hearprotek High Fidelity Concert Earplugs: If you’re on a tighter budget, consider Hearprotek’s High Fidelity Concert Earplugs. The earplugs are good for up to 20 dB of noise reduction and are available in various colors, including Black, Blue, Charcoal, Purple, and Rose Gold. Each earplug is made of high-quality silicone material and features two flange tips that are designed specifically to follow the natural curvature of the ear canals for ease of use and comfort.
Protecting Ears from Bass-Heavy Car Sound System
Eargasm High-Fidelity Earplugs: Eargasm is a premium quality earplug that provides noise cancellation of up to 21 dB. These earplugs are made with a combination of foam and aluminum and are available in 7 different colors, including Blue, Green, and Pink. The earplugs use specialized attenuation filters, designed specifically to maintain the full sound spectrum, just at lower decibels, making them a great choice for listening to music on the go.
Vibes High-Fidelity Earplugs: Vibes high-fidelity earplugs are a near-invisible pair of earplugs that come with a clear, reusable outer shell made of silicone. The earplugs are available in three sizes (S, M, L) and can block sound levels by up to 22 dB on average with an NRR rating of 15. The noise cancellation and comfort make Vibes high-fidelity earplugs the ideal choice for long drives and flights.
Lysian Soft Foam Earplugs: Looking for disposable earplugs? Look no further than Lysian Soft Foam earplugs. These affordable noise-canceling earplugs come in a pack of 60 and you can choose between a variety of different colors, including Orange, Green, Pink, Blue, and more. Despite their affordable price, the Lysian earplugs are good for up to 31 dB, making them ideal for driving.
FAQs- Adverse Effects of Bass
Is Loud Bass Bad for Your Heart?
Yes, loud bass generates low-frequency sound waves that can indeed affect your heart rhythm. Low-frequency sound waves show higher diffraction characteristics, which is why you can hear bass from a longer distance than mids and highs. Prolonged exposure to loud bass can potentially lead to an increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure.
Why Am I So Sensitive to Bass Noise?
If you’re particularly sensitive to bass and certain other low-frequency music instruments like cello, tuba, or contrabassoon then you may have a condition called misophonia. ‘Misophonia’ originates from a Greek word meaning ‘hatred of sound.’ People experiencing this condition may feel annoyance, agitation, or mental exhaustion when exposed to frequencies within a specific range.
Can too Much Bass Damage Your Headphones?
Yes, that’s indeed possible. Loud, heavy bass can strain the drivers of your headphones and may lead to premature damage. That’s why it’s a good idea never to use your headphones at or near maximum volume to prevent any damage or potential failure.
Do Earplugs Stop Bass?
Yes, earplugs are indeed an effective way to stop bass and prevent potential hearing loss. But to work well against low frequency with higher diffraction, the plugs have to be inserted deeper inside the ear canal to fully muffle the bass. So, make sure to buy earplugs with longer tips for better results.
Is Low Base Bad for Your Ears?
All sound frequencies at a high decibel level can damage your hearing and low bass is no exception. Studies have shown that sound levels above 85 dB can contribute to hearing damage with prolonged exposure. Low-frequency sounds, such as those produced by bass, can be particularly powerful and may be felt as vibrations. These vibrations can impact the delicate structures of the inner ear.
Conclusion
To sum up, the anatomy of the ear and the pattern of sound waves clearly indicate that our ears are highly prone to damage from loud bass. Numerous scientific studies confirm that prolonged exposure can indeed lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, and even psychological complications.
So, it’s crucial not to go overboard with bass and keep it within reasonable levels to prevent any hearing damage. Additionally, make sure to use hearing protection like earplugs whenever you decide to go to a concert or drive around with the car sound system on full blast.
