Hearing Loss on The Rise for All Demographics

Hearing loss is something that you might start to think about more as you get older. When you're younger, it might not be something that occupies your thoughts often unless you work in an occupation that involves a lot of loud noise. However, it isn't just older people who experience hearing loss. Although the majority of people who experience hearing loss are older adults, hearing loss is becoming more common in younger people too. One of the major causes of this is regular use of headphones with phones and other devices.

Hearing Loss in Young People

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one billion people are at risk of permanent (and avoidable) hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices. Many people use headphones or earphones to listen to music, TV and movies, games and other audio and media. While people have been doing this for decades, it is now much more common. Additionally, young people use their devices much more and often turn up the volume too loud. By listening to loud audio played directly into their ears for prolonged periods, many people risk damaging their hearing.

At about 80 to 85 decibels, your hearing can start to become damaged over time. People who work in noisy environments with noises this loud, or who engage in recreational activities involving loud noises such as attending concerts or shooting, should use ear protection. People are often aware of this, at least in their working environment, but many neglect to take into account the damage that using headphones could cause. Both the volume of the sound and how long you are exposed to it make a difference when your hearing health is concerned.

Listening to music and other audio too loudly and for too long can lead to hearing loss and tinnitus. This is because it can damage the tiny hair-like cells in your ears that pick-up sound. These hair cells become fatigued when exposed to loud noises for too long and can stop responding to sound waves. Taking a break can allow the cells to recover but, eventually, the damage can become permanent.

Protecting Your Ears from Hearing Loss

There are steps that everyone can take to help prevent hearing loss. If you're listening to music or something else using headphones, making use of a volume limiter on your device is useful. It will give you a warning before your volume reaches dangerous levels and prevent you from turning it up too loud. Many devices already have one of these or you may be able to install an app. Even if you don't get a warning about safe volume levels, turning the volume down a little is a good idea.

Another tip for using headphones is to choose the right ones. Experts recommend those that fit over your ears instead of earbuds, which will help to protect your ears. It's also a good idea to get some noise-canceling headphones. If you tend to turn up the volume to block out background noise, you can save your ears by getting noise-canceling headphones. They will filter out background noise for you so that you don't need to turn up the volume.

As well as turning down the volume, you should also avoid prolonged use of headphones. Try to limit your use to an hour a day or at least take rests in between periods of using your headphones.

It's not just headphones that matter if you want to protect your ears. If you have any hobbies or activities that involve loud noise, there are steps you can take to protect your ears. When going to concerts or festivals with loud music, using ear protection such as earplugs or ear defenders will protect your hearing. 

Regular breaks away from the music are also a good idea to protect your hearing. Try to stay away from the speakers too, even though you might want to stand near the stage. Protecting your hearing when you participate in other activities is important too. For example, if you shoot recreationally, ear defenders should be included in your gear.

A hearing test will reveal whether you have any hearing loss. Audiologists can also give you advice on how to treat hearing loss and how to prevent hearing loss.

Find out more about hearing loss and how to treat it from Gavin Audiology and Hearing Aids. Call us today at (914) 610-3440 to speak to a member of our team, get advice and make an appointment.