This year, freshman Daniel Chung ran the 50-meter dash in a track meet against all upperclassmen. He ran the race in 6.7 seconds, his best time of the year.

“That’s considered a really good time for a freshman,” said Chung. “And I think music got me into the right mood and got me into the place where I wanted to be with my mindset.”

Chung said he listens to music through Apple earbuds or Beats headphones eight to 10 hours every day. He said he enjoys listening at especially high volumes when preparing for track meets to get focused.

According to audiologist Sheri Gostomelsky, about one in 16 teenagers suffers from hearing loss. She said students need to be aware of how long they are exposed to loud music. The maximum volume at which someone can listen to music in earphones is 110 decibels, and can be dangerous if the person listens for more than a minute and a half.

Chung said he understands the consequences of listening to loud music, and he tries to be careful about his exposure to high volumes.

“I definitely keep [my music] at a good volume if I’m studying,” said Chung. “If I’m getting ready for a track meet, which [takes] like 10 minutes, I like to keep it loud.”

According to Gostomelsky, damage to the auditory nerve is irreversible. Exposure to loud music will damage these cells, which are unable to regenerate, leading to hearing problems. She worries people fail to protect their ears and hearing.

“Hearing is your doormat to socializing, and when you don’t hear, it kind of changes the way you socialize with people and live your whole life,” Gostomelsky said. 

Junior Jonathan Jacobson said he worries about how often he exposes himself to loud music, but he chooses to listen at high volumes anyway.

“I think listening to music at the volume where it’s about to hurt but doesn’t really hurt is the best place to listen to music because that’s the most amplified way,” said Jacobson. “Music is all about emotion. If you feel it because it’s really loud, you feel it more inside.”

According to Jacobson, he cannot hear as well as other people, and sometimes he hears ringing in his ears right after attending a show and in silent rooms.

Gostomelsky said those who walk out of a loud show with ringing or a “stuffed” sensation in their ears have hurt them.

“All that it takes is one exposure that’s too loud and you’ve done damage for life,” said Gostomelsky. “So for somebody who really loves listening to music loud, you’ve got to be careful.”