Teens and young adults should think twice about cranking up the volume on their devices or attending loud concerts.
A recent study published in BMJ Global Health revealed that up to 1.35 billion people ages 12–34 worldwide could be at risk for noise-induced hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices with devices and at noisy venues.
While hearing loss is commonly associated with getting older, noise exposure can also cause the condition in individuals at any age. Young people, in particular, are prone to listening to loud music for too long, potentially leading to noise-induced hearing loss.
To uncover the effects of unsafe listening practices on this population, researchers in the study examined 33 scientific articles published between 2000 and 2021 that focused on personal listening devices and loud entertainment settings.
The study concluded that nearly 24% of young people listen to personal music devices at an unsafe level and that around 48% attend noisy entertainment venues, putting the hearing health of over one billion at risk.
However, it’s important to remember that people of all ages are susceptible to hearing loss due to noise. Although past loud noise exposure may have caused damage to your hearing, taking preventative measures now can help stop any further hearing loss from occurring.
Tips to Prevent Hearing Loss
• Use Noise-Canceling Headphones—These block background noise, allowing you to listen at a lower volume.
• Follow the 60-60 Rule—Listen at 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes daily on your device. Some devices allow you to track your listening levels in the device settings or will alert you when you’ve listened to loud sounds for too long.
• Wear Hearing Protection—Popping in a pair of earplugs at a noisy concert is an easy, effective preventative measure.
• Get a Hearing Test- Schedule a baseline test as soon as possible to see if you have hearing loss due to noise or another factor. The sooner you identify an issue, the sooner you can get treatment and the better your outcomes will be.
If you’re concerned you or someone you care about may have a hearing loss, call Precision Hearing at 352-765-8008 today to schedule an appointment.