An estimated 50% of people over the age of 75 have some form of hearing loss and that’s why most people think of it as a problem for older people. But in spite of the fact that in younger individuals it’s entirely preventable, studies show that they too are in danger of developing hearing loss.
As a matter of fact, 34% of the 479 freshmen who were studied across 4 high schools demonstrated symptoms of hearing loss. The cause? Scientists believe that earbuds and headphones linked to mobile devices are contributing to the issue. And everyone’s at risk.
Why do individuals under 60 get hearing loss?
There’s a basic rule relating to earbud volume for teenagers and everyone else – if someone else can hear your music, then the volume is too high. If you listen to sounds louder than 85dB (about the volume of a vacuum cleaner) for extended time periods, your hearing can be damaged. A standard mobile device with the volume turned up to the max clocks in at about 106 decibels. Used in this way, 4 minutes is enough to cause damage.
It may seem like everybody would know this but teenagers often have their headphones in for hours at a time. They’re playing games, watching footage, or listening to music during this time. And this will only increase over the next several years, if we’re to believe current research. Research shows that smartphones and other screens trigger dopamine production in younger kids’ brains, which is the same reaction caused by addictive drugs. Kids’ hearing will suffer as it becomes more difficult to get them to put their screens down.
Young people are in danger of hearing loss
Clearly, hearing loss creates multiple obstacles for anybody, regardless of age. Younger individuals, however, face additional problems with regards to academics, after-school sports, and even job possibilities. Students with hearing loss face an especially difficult time hearing and understanding concepts. Sports become especially hard if you can’t hear coaches and teammates calling plays and giving directions. Young adults and teenagers joining the workforce can encounter unnecessary obstacles due to hearing loss.
Social problems can also persist as a result of hearing loss. Kids with damaged hearing have a harder time connecting with peers, which often leads to social and emotional problems that require therapy. Individuals who suffer with hearing loss often feel isolated and experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Mental health treatment and hearing loss management frequently go together and this is especially true with kids and teenagers in their early developmental years.
How young people can avoid hearing loss
Using earbuds or headphones for no more than 60 minutes per day and at a volume 60% of max or less (the 60/60 rule) is the first rule to adhere to. Even at 60%, if others can still hear the sound, it needs to be turned down.
You may also want to replace the earbuds and opt for the older style over-the-ear headphones. Compared to traditional headphones, earbuds put inside of the ear canal can actually create 5 to 10 extra decibels.
Whatever you can do to limit your child’s exposure to loud sounds throughout the day will help. You can’t control everything they do while at school or on the bus, so try to make the time they’re at home free of headphones. And you need to get a hearing assessment for your child if you think they may already be suffering from hearing loss.
References
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing
https://newsie.co.nz/news/163631-deaf-foundation-blames-earbuds-phones-teens-hearing-loss.html
https://time.com/4989275/young-children-tablets-mobile-devices/
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52500-Hearing-loss-among-kids-and-teens
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/protecting-your-hearing-means-protecting-your-mental-health
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/earbuds.html