Studies show that 1 billion young people are at risk of hearing loss; see how to avoid it

Asking to turn down the volume isn’t just petty parenting. A new study shows that quieter sound can protect more than 1 billion people at risk of hearing loss.

When it comes to using the phone or consuming music, movies and shows, it is common for teenagers and young adults to listen to the sound at a very high level and for a long time, according to the study published on Tuesday (15) in the journal “ BMJ Global Health”.

“We estimate that 0.67 to 1.35 billion individuals aged 12-34 years worldwide are likely to have unsafe listening practices” and are therefore at risk of hearing loss, said lead study author Lauren Dillard. . The doctor is a consultant to the World Health Organization and a postdoctoral fellow at the Medical University of South Carolina.

According to her, exposure to sound at too high a volume can fatigue the sensory cells and ear structures. If this goes on for too long, they can become permanently damaged, resulting in hearing loss, tinnitus, or both.

Researchers performed a meta-analysis of scientific articles on unsafe listening practices published between 2000 and 2021 in three databases.

Unsafe practices were tracked according to use of headphones, as well as presence in entertainment venues such as concert halls, bars and nightclubs. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention limits safe noise levels to around 85 decibels for 40 hours a week. It’s not just a question of volume, but also of prolonged exposure.

Connected to a smartphone with MP3 audio files, listeners often choose volumes up to 105 decibels, and entertainment venues often work in the range of 104 to 112 decibels, the study said.

Fortunately, public policy, companies, and individuals can implement measures to encourage safe listening and protect hearing from damage over time.

The study’s analysis was rigorous, and the evidence is compelling that hearing loss should be a public health priority, according to De Wet Swanepoel, professor of audiology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Swanepoel did not participate in the study.

“Music is a gift to be cherished for a lifetime,” said Swanepoel, who is also editor-in-chief of the “International Journal of Audiology” magazine. “We need to enjoy music, but safely,” he added.

What to do with your device

Whether you’re listening to something on a personal device or at a concert, Dillard explains that buzzing during or shortly after exposure is a strong sign that the sound is too loud.

However, there are ways to prevent damage before you notice the effects. Some devices allow people to monitor their volume levels in device settings. Others even alert the user when the volume is too loud for too long.

“If your device says it’s using unsafe levels, turn the volume down and listen to music for shorter periods,” Dillard advised.

Experts can’t say which headphones or headsets are the safest, but Dillard recommends using ones that reduce background noise, which can help keep the volume at lower levels since you don’t have to cancel noise at your return.

But we don’t always have control of the volume button. If you’re in a nightclub or other loud venue, you can protect your hearing by moving away from the speakers and taking breaks from the noise if possible.

Another attitude that always helps is to use some protection for the ears – like the foam plugs sold in pharmacies.

“Hearing is the sense that connects us to the people we love,” said Swanepoel. “Taking care of our hearing is critical to maintaining healthy relationships and overall health and well-being. Primary prevention in young adults is critical to prevent early onset and accelerated age-related hearing loss.”