More Teens Have Hearing Problems Today

In 2011 there was a 31% leap in hearing loss in teenagers aged from 12 to 19. Some researchers relate these health problems to high volumes of music many teenagers are exposed to at concerts and through earbuds.

Are earphones to blame?

A recent study conducted by Tel Aviv University in Israel shows that 1 in 4 teenagers is at risk of early hearing loss caused by their music-listening habits. Lots of adolescents listening to their favourite tracks on the go can be spotted outside schools, in shops and on public transport yet few are aware of the fact that they are in danger of developing hearing impairments due to loud sound played through earbuds.

289 subjects of the study were asked about at what volumes they usually listen to music and for how long they do it. Then the listening levels of 74 teenagers were measured in quiet and noisy environments and the data were used to calculate the potential heath risk in accordance with the current industrial health and safety regulations. The researchers concluded that the risk was not actually posed by earphones but by the fact they were used in noisy environments and failed to block extraneous noise effectively so the study participants had to turn the volume up.

Is it safe to attend concerts?

Listening to high volumes through earphones can be as health-threatening as attending loud concerts every day. The noise level at rock concerts, for instance, can reach as many as 125 decibels, while volumes exceeding 85 decibels are considered dangerous for the human ear. A U.S. study reveals 64% of people exposed to unsafe noise at a concert can have major hearing alterations after it, and repeated exposure can lead to permanent hearing impairments. The initial loss of hearing is difficult for teens to detect; they often think other people mumble or don't articulate well. The researchers also reveal that wearing earplugs can reduce the exposure to dangerous levels of noise by 20-30 decibels and, therefore, the risk of hearing loss.

Hearing loss is now considered the third most prevalent chronic condition, with arthritis and hypertension ranked first and second respectively. The biggest concern, however, is that in many cases it is caused by one's lifestyle and habits, such as the prolonged, high-volume MP3 use and the attendance of loud concerts without ear protection. People often forget that health is their greatest wealth.

~ 26 January 2012 ~