- Noisy entertainment activities put the hearing of more than a billion young people at risk
- Excessive noise damages inner ear cells, causing permanent weakness.
- The World Health Organization advises limiting exposure to sound and using earplugs.
- Consult ENT in case of persistent tinnitus or muffled hearing.
For adults today, listening to loud noises has become an integral part of their leisure activities, from concerts and nightlife to intense exercise classes, video games and personal music devices. Although it may seem that listening every now and then does nothing bad, repeated listening leads to hearing loss over time without any signs of problems at the beginning. According to the World Health Organization, more than a billion young people between the ages of 12 and 35 are likely to suffer from hearing problems due to unsafe entertainment.
The effect of loud sound on hearing.
How can young people avoid hearing loss?
The inner ear contains a huge amount of hair cells specialized in transmitting sound vibrations to the brain. These hair cells will die due to excessive exposure to noise. The big drawback is that, unlike other cells in our organism, inner ear cells cannot regenerate.
Various activities cause strong sound waves. Meanwhile, each exercise requires playing music. This also applies to video games since there is a need to wear headphones for a long time. The first symptoms of the problem come in the form of tinnitus or ringing in the ears. Although it may not last for long, this does not mean that one should ignore this phenomenon.
According to one of the most widespread misconceptions, the term “safe Hz level” is a reference point for hearing protection. Although hertz (Hz) refers to frequency as in the case of decibels (dB/dBA), when viewed in the context of hearing protection, we must evaluate loudness as an important factor, and time. According to the World Health Organization, the maximum sound level is 80 dB for a maximum of 40 hours.
Read also | ABP LIVE Doc Talk | Living with 10% kidney function: 5 things dialysis patients want to know
At a sound level of 90 decibels, a person can tolerate sound for only 4 hours, and at a level of 100 decibels for 20 minutes. Therefore, louder sounds allow less exposure time. NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) states that 85 decibels over an 8-hour period is the noise injury point for employees.
To keep hearing safe against noise, one must know how to deal with noise, i.e. decibel levels, exposure time and frequency of exposure. Therefore, when at clubs or concerts, people should make sure to sit away from the speakers, take a break for at least five minutes in a quiet area, and buy good earplugs.
Read also | ABP LIVE Doc Talk | Why oral health is important during cancer treatment and hospitalization
At the gym, it’s best not to sit too close to the speakers, and keep your headphone volume at a safe level. According to the World Health Organization, the noise level generated by personal devices should not exceed 60 decibels, and while listening to music, the volume should not exceed 80 decibels.
When should one see an ENT specialist?
If a person experiences frequent tinnitus, has poor hearing, finds it difficult to follow any conversations, or is sensitive to sounds, the person should see an ear, nose, and throat doctor. Noise-induced hearing loss can be very difficult to treat due to the fact that the person has already experienced damage. After the examination, the doctor can recommend auditory rehabilitation and follow-up of hearing conditions.
Young people don’t need to stop going to concerts and playing games as long as they turn down the volume, don’t expose their ears to loud sounds for too long, take breaks from loud sounds, and wear ear protectors.
Disclaimer: The information in the article is shared by experts and is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition
Check out the sanitary ware below-
Calculate your body mass index (BMI)
Calculate age through age calculator
