New Study Points to Over 1 Billion Young People at Risk for Hearing Loss
New Study Points to Over 1 Billion Young People at Risk for Hearing Loss
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.1
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.1
Tips to Prevent Hearing Loss
Fortunately, people of all ages can take steps to reduce their risk of noise-induced 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.
Wondering where your child’s hearing stands? Think you may have noise-induced hearing loss? Call us today to schedule a baseline hearing screening.
1 Dillard, L. et al. (2022). Prevalence and global estimates of unsafe listening practices in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Global Health. http://press.psprings.co.uk/gh/november/bmjgh010501.pdf
