I think there are different seasons of life and different moods for wanting to listen to the world around. When I got into backpacking it becomes a pretty conscience decision when deciding to listen to a podcast or some music or go for 5 hours of silence. Live your life and go with the flow. If your tunes die, find a way to make a life lesson in some way or fashion that makes sense to you. Our ancestors were stuck with nothing but themselves and local community so I guess connect with your primal self.