The classic way of telling is when you have ringing in your ears. It’s a very common outcome of exposure to too loud of music.

The ear is so sensitive it can measure a vibration the width of the hydrogen molecule, and I’m watching this guy’s windows vibrate [at a stop light].

You tend to have less hearing loss listening to something you like versus something that’s just scrutiny.

Even at 85 decibels, you may not experience it that day, that week or that year, [but] if you continue listening to noise at that level you could have [hearing] damage over time.