Hearing loss is usually considered an older person’s problem – as a matter of fact, it’s estimated that nearly 50% of people over 75 copes with some kind of hearing loss. But in spite of the fact that in younger individuals it’s completely preventable, research shows that they too are at risk of developing hearing loss.
One study of 479 freshmen from three high schools discovered that 34% of those students showed indications of hearing loss. The cause? Researchers believe that earbuds and headphones linked to mobile devices are contributing to the issue. And the young aren’t the only ones at risk.
Why do individuals under 60 get hearing loss?
There’s a simple rule relating to earbud volume for teenagers and everybody else – if somebody else can hear your music, then the volume is too high. If you listen to sounds above 85dB (about the volume of a vacuum cleaner) for extended periods of time, your hearing can be damaged. A typical mobile device with the volume turned up to the max clocks in at about 106 decibels. Utilized in this way, 4 minutes is enough to cause damage.
While this seems like common sense stuff, the truth is that kids spend well over two hours every day on their devices, frequently with their earphones or earbuds plugged in. During this time, they’re listening to music, playing games, and watching video. And if the latest research is to be accepted, this time will only get longer over the next several years. Studies show that smartphones and other screens trigger dopamine production in younger kids’ brains, which is the same response caused by addictive drugs. It will become more and more difficult to get screens away from kids, and their hearing could suffer because of it.
The dangers of hearing loss in young people
Regardless of age, hearing loss obviously creates a number of difficulties. For younger individuals though, after school activities, sports, and job prospects produce additional challenges. Students with hearing loss face a particularly difficult time hearing and comprehending concepts. It also makes participating in sports much harder, since so much of sports involves listening to coaches and teammates giving instructions and calling plays. Young adults and teenagers entering the workforce can face unnecessary roadblocks caused by hearing loss.
Hearing loss can also result in social issues. Kids frequently develop emotional and social problems which can require therapy if they have hearing loss. Individuals who cope with hearing loss often feel isolated and experience mental health problems like anxiety and depression. Treating hearing loss often needs to go hand-in-hand with mental health treatment, especially during the important developmental stages experienced by kids and teenagers.
How young people can prevent hearing loss
The first rule to follow is the 60/60 rule – devices and earbuds should only be used for 60 minutes a day at 60% or less of the maximum volume. Even at 60%, if other people can still hear the music, it needs to be turned down.
You may also want to ditch the earbuds and go with the older style over-the-ear headphones. Earbuds put directly in the ear can actually generate 6 to 9 extra decibels when compared to traditional headphones.
In general, though, do what you can to reduce your child’s exposure to loud sounds during the day. Try to make their home time free of headphone use because you can’t control what they are doing while they’re not home. And you should 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