Cranking the radio in a car can trigger a rapid decline in hearing for drivers. Dr. Ivan Leskov, an otolaryngologist, explained this during a chat with a journalist from socialbites.ca.
He stressed that blasting music at high volumes threatens a driver’s ears, especially when it becomes a habit. Even more risk shows up in vehicles equipped with powerful, bass-heavy systems that push low-frequency sound into the cabin, a setup common in many performance-oriented cars. In those scenarios, the likelihood of experiencing hearing damage grows noticeably over time.
Dr. Leskov cited a recent study that looked at hearing sensitivity among residents in South Sudan, a region with limited road networks and minimal industrial noise sources. The findings contrasted with patterns seen in large, technologically advanced cities: older residents in that country still displayed sharp hearing well into their 70s and 80s, suggesting that chronic exposure to low-frequency noise from traffic and equipment can take a toll on hearing health in some settings, while other environments may spare certain age groups from the same damage.
As a practical guideline, the doctor advised that listening to music should generally not exceed an hour a day. The aim is simple: give ears a chance to recover and avoid cumulative damage that can lead to permanent hearing loss over time. For drivers in North America, this means being mindful of volume, choosing safer listening levels, and occasionally stepping away from the car stereo to rest the ears, especially on long trips or in heavy traffic.
In addition to personal listening habits, other factors influence hearing health. Prolonged exposure to loud tones, sudden loud bursts, and frequent exposure in closed spaces can intensify risk. Protective measures include using the car’s built-in balance controls to reduce bass output when needed, choosing quality headphones that limit maximum volume when not driving, and opting for playlists with dynamic range that avoid constant loudness. Routine hearing checks, especially for those who drive daily in loud environments, can help detect changes early and guide preventive steps. Community health guidance from ear, nose, and throat specialists emphasizes maintaining a quiet environment during rest periods after exposure and staying alert to signs of temporary ringing, muffled hearing, or difficulty in distinguishing speech, which warrant professional evaluation.