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Yes, in more ways than one! Prolonged listening to music over 85 decibels loud -- about the sound level of busy city traffic -- can cause permanent noise-induced hearing loss. Though it takes about 8 hours to harm your ears at 85 decibels, crank the tunes up to 110 decibels, and it only takes a minute and a half to endanger your hearing. You might be surprised to know that normal speaking is around 60 decibels, a baby crying is about 110, and an airplane taking off is around 140. Car stereos can blast music at levels of 140 decibels and above. Human ears adjust to sound over time, so you may not realize that the music you are playing is
loud enough to be harmful. Besides the damage you're doing to your ears, a university study found that listening to loud noise in cars decreases reaction time and decision-making ability, cutting off the vital fraction of a second it takes to avoid an accident. So booming music while cruising in your car increases your chances of getting into a wreck. Some concerned citizens want to prevent people from playing loud thumpin' music in their cars. But there are those who love listening to car-shaking music. The most extreme bass-lovers participate in decibel drag-racing.
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