More than one billion young adults face the risk of hearing loss caused by hearing sounds beyond permissible limits on their gadgets, but there is hope
New Delhi (THP)
People playing video games with sound levels beyond permissible levels face the risk of hearing loss. The longer they play at higher sound levels, the more the risk, says new research published in the British Medical Journal of Public Health.
The new findings are in line with what an earlier study by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed: 50% of young adults—approximately 1.1 billion individuals aged 12-35—are facing the risk of hearing loss due to their listening habits.
According to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prolonged exposure to noise above 70 dBA can cause hearing loss, with a hazardous threshold of 85 dBA for occupational noise exposure. The decibel (dB) is a measure of sound, and A-weighted decibel (dBA) is the measure of sound as detected by the human ear. The closer you are to the noise source, the faster you will lose your hearing.
Amid this concerning revelation, there is a beacon of hope. Adopting healthy practices can shield individuals at risk from irreversible hearing damage caused by noise-induced hearing loss.
Understanding the mechanics of our auditory system is vital. The human ear comprises super-sensitive hair cells responsible for translating sound vibrations into electrical signals, intelligible to the brain. When these cells are exposed to loud noise, they contract more than usual. While they can recover within a few hours, repeated exposure to extremely high decibels can lead to permanent damage.
With the ubiquity of headphones usually played at high volume, safeguarding our hearing has become imperative. Here is a comprehensive guide on preserving your sense of hearing:
- 1. Limit the volume
- There are certain threshold volumes for each kind of device, which mark the safe decibel limits for your ears. The smarter way to keep volumes in check could be to download one of those apps which display a warning message as soon as you exceed safety limits.
- 2. Take frequent breaks
- It is advisable to take frequent breaks between the sessions of listening as this allows your ears to relax and recover from the strain.
- 3. Noise-cancelling headphones
- Sometimes, outside noise may force you to increase the volume beyond the threshold value. Using noise-cancelling headphones can help you listen clearly without exposing yourself to higher volumes.
- 4. Replace earphones with headphones whenever possible
- Earphones usually sit closer to your eardrum as compared to headphones that rest over the ears. This can help minimise the damage to a great extent.
- 5. Choose your gadgets wisely
- Use high-quality headphones or earphones which allow for better sound quality so that you can listen even at a lower volume without straining your ears. Although it may not be possible to eliminate the usage of headphones, it is certainly possible to eliminate the risk of losing your hearing ability by following these simple habits.
(Source: The Health Presso)
