Can You Hear Me Now?: Studies Show High Risk of Hearing Loss in Young People

Music has long been a staple of culture. Though the styles change, the popularity of songs has never waned. Today, the access we have to music is unparalleled. We can attend concerts, hear live bands at bars or clubs, buy CDs, mp3s, and vinyl records, and even stream almost any song instantly from our own pockets.

Unfortunately for young people, this unlimited access may come at a price. Long-term headphone use at unsafe volumes, as well as attendance at high-decibel concerts and other live entertainment, may contribute to an unusually high risk of noise-induced hearing loss among those aged 12 to 34.

Likely Causes of Hearing Loss

While our ancestors were limited by the natural acoustics of their instruments, voices, and venues, today’s technology enables us to blast any sound at extreme volumes—often in the triple digits. Concert venues can fill entire stadiums with the sound of a single instrument. We can pump our favorite beats directly into our ear canals and drown out the world around us at any time. Unfortunately, this can cause permanent damage to the sensitive components of our inner ear. Studies estimate that between 670 million and 1.35 billion young people may suffer permanent hearing damage from such high-volume noise exposure.

Damage to the ear occurs when the sensitive inner structures are exposed to sound at high volumes or for long periods of time. These components can become irreversibly damaged or lost due to overexposure. Even one exposure to noise that is too loud or too long can set damage in motion, and this effect is cumulative throughout our lives—every time we turn the volume up too much, it can get a little worse.

Signs of Hearing Loss

How do you know if you should be concerned? If you have a habit of indulging in loud music for long periods, watch for these signs of noise-induced hearing loss, and talk to a doctor right away if you start to notice problems.

Ringing or Tinnitus

One of the earliest and most obvious signs of hearing damage is ringing in your ears, also known as tinnitus. If the damage is not serious yet, this may be a temporary reaction to recent loud noises, but if you notice it occurring more frequently, take it as a sign you need to turn down the tunes.

Changes in Hearing Sensitivity

As hearing damage sets in, you may lose sensitivity to high- or low-pitched sounds due to damage or loss of the fine hairs responsible for transmitting sound information to your brain. Alternatively, you may find yourself unbearably sensitive to certain noises, in a condition known as hyperacusis. Such sounds may suddenly be extremely uncomfortable, even causing physical pain.

Muffled Speech or Consonant Confusion

If you’re noticing difficulty understanding people during conversations, this may be a sign of more serious hearing damage. As you lose hearing sensitivity, you may find it harder to distinguish between similar consonant sounds such as P and T, S and F, or [sh] and [th]. If you find yourself asking your conversation partners to repeat themselves often, consider having your hearing checked.

How to Prevent Hearing Loss

Unfortunately, hearing loss is generally irreversible. Although there are treatments such as hearing aids that can help you continue to communicate, you cannot restore the lost sensitivity. The best way to ensure your hearing ability follows you into old age is to take preventative measures to protect your hearing as it is today.

Control Your Volume

Avoid listening to music or other media at high volumes, especially if using headphones. Some devices will warn you if you’re listening at unsafe volumes, but a good rule of thumb is to limit yourself to 60% of the maximum. Using noise-canceling headphones that eliminate background sound may also be safer, as you can lower the volume without being bothered by ambient noise.

Use Protection

When in noisy environments such as concerts, clubs, or bars, stand a good distance from speakers or other sound sources and consider wearing some form of ear protection. There are a variety of earplugs available that reduce decibel levels without interfering with the sound quality. Even cheap foam earplugs can help save your senses. If you can’t resist rocking out at full volume from right next to the stage, all is not lost. Take a full day after the concert to rest your ears; stick to quiet places, avoid unnecessary sound or loud noises, and limit headphone use. It’s no substitute for adequately protecting yourself, but it can help preserve more of your hearing for longer. The best way to preserve your hearing is to prevent damage in the first place. Using ear protection, limiting your exposure, and taking regular breaks from sound can all help protect your hearing ability.

Limit Your Listening

Regardless of the volume at which you listen, try to limit the amount of time you spend with headphones on. Even if you’re keeping it quiet, constant sound can fatigue the sensitive inputs of your ears just like short, loud noises can. Take quiet breaks once in a while to give your hearing a chance to rest and recover. The CDC’s occupational noise recommendations suggest no more than 40 hours of noise per week at no more than 85 decibels. Anything louder or longer may put you at higher risk of damage. Remember to take breaks during live events as well, especially if you aren’t able to distance yourself from sound sources or forget your ear protection. Go outside or someplace quiet periodically to give your ears a chance to recover—about five minutes of rest should do the trick.

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