How listening to loud music can cause hearing disorders in youngsters
The increasing use of earphones among young people is raising serious public health concerns, with many people at increased risk of developing hearing disorders due to noise exposure.
The widespread use of earphones and headphones, especially among the younger generation, is becoming a serious public health concern. With many young individuals listening to loud music, often for long periods of time, the risk of developing noise-induced hearing diseases is increasing.
What was once thought of as an older person’s problem is now affecting people in their teens and twenties, with long-term consequences that are often irreversible.
Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) occurs when hair cells located within the cochlea, a structure in the inner ear, are damaged due to excessive sound exposure.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 1.1 billion teens and young adults worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening habits. This includes listening to loud music through earphones, especially when used at high volume for long periods of time.
Dr Amit Kumar Sharma, HOD and Senior Consultant, ENT, Cochlear Implant and Voice Disorders, Shalby Sanar International Hospitals, Gurugram, said, “Short-term problems caused by earphone use include excessive earwax build-up, which can spread deeper into the ear canal, causing infection and ear pain. The tight fit of the earphones can also cause discomfort, pain and itching. In more severe cases, loud music can cause a temporary threshold shift, leading to temporary hearing loss.”
The most important cause of NIHL in the younger population is the volume at which music is played.
Studies have shown that many young people listen to music at volumes above 85 decibels (dB), the limit at which hearing damage can occur. Regular exposure to sound levels above 85 dB can cause permanent hearing damage.
What is worrying is that some earphones can produce sounds as high as 100 to 110 dB, which can damage hearing within a matter of minutes.
Dr Sharma said that prolonged use of earphones, especially at high volume, can cause permanent hearing loss.
“Patients may also experience tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing sound in the ears, and hyperacusis, an increased sensitivity to everyday sounds. Poor earphone hygiene increases the risk of fungal ear infections such as otomycosis. Prolonged listening can also cause hearing fatigue, reducing overall hearing sensitivity,” the expert added.
safe listening practices
Awareness and action are needed to prevent hearing loss. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends following the “60/60 rule”, according to which music should not be listened to at more than 60% of maximum volume and for no more than 60 minutes.
“Keep the volume at 60% or less of the maximum level, take regular breaks, possibly after 60 to 90 minutes of listening to music at high volume. Wear comfortable and well-fitting earphones. Clean your earphones regularly and get regular hearing checkups. Avoid sharing your earphones with anyone else and limit your listening time,” advises Dr Sharma.
Using noise-cancelling headphones reduces the need to turn up the volume in noisy environments, and provides protection from excessive sound levels.