More than 1 billion people are at risk for hearing loss and could be protected by turning down the noise, according to a recent study, so it’s not just for irritated parents.
Teenagers and young adults frequently listen to phones, music, movies, and television shows too loudly and for too long, finds a study published on Tuesday in the journal BMJ Global Health.
Exposure to sound at too high a volume can fatigue the sensory cells and cause hearing issues
According to lead study author Lauren Dillard via email, “we estimated that 0.67 to 1.35 billion individuals aged 12-34 years worldwide likely engage in unsafe listening practices,” and are thus at risk for hearing loss. Dillard is a postdoctoral fellow at the Medical University of South Carolina and a consultant for the World Health Organization.
According to Dillard, overexposure to sound might wear out the sensory cells and ear structures. They may suffer lasting damage if that continues for too long and develop hearing loss, tinnitus, or both.
According to the report, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of scholarly studies on risky listening habits that were published between 2000 and 2021 across three databases. According to the survey, the dangerous behaviors were monitored based on the usage of headphones and attendance at entertainment places like concerts, bars, and clubs.
CDC has set a safe noise level cap of about 85 dB
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established a safe noise level cap of about 85 dB for people working more than 40 hours per week. According to the study, listening for just 212 hours per day is equivalent to 92 decibels.
According to the study, listeners frequently choose volumes as high as 105 decibels when plugged into a smartphone that has MP3 audio files downloaded, and listening environments typically range from 104 to 112 decibels. Fortunately, Dillard said, policies, organizations, and individuals can take action to promote safe listening and guard against long-term hearing damage.
“Music is a gift to be enjoyed for a lifetime,” said Swanepoel, who is also editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Audiology. “The message is to enjoy your music but safely.”
Ringing ears is a good sign that the music was too loud
Ringing ears are a clue that the music was too loud, whether you’re listening at home or at a concert, Dillard advised. However, there are ways to stop the harm before you experience its effects. According to her, some devices include settings that allow users to keep an eye on how much they are listening. Some even notify you when you have been listening too loudly for an extended period of time.
“If your device says you are listening at unsafe levels, turn down the volume and listen to music for shorter periods of time,” Dillard said via email. “Hearing is the sense that connects us to the people we love,” Swanepoel said in an email. “Taking care of our hearing is key to maintaining a healthy relationship(s) and general health and well-being. Primary prevention in early adults is critical to avoid earlier onset and accelerated age-related hearing loss.”