Introduction to Hearing Loss
The world of video games has become a significant part of modern entertainment, with 3 billion people worldwide engaging in this activity. However, this hobby can have a detrimental effect on one’s hearing. Joe Gallagher, a hearing aid specialist, found himself experiencing hearing loss due to the high volume levels on his video game headphones. Despite being aware of the risks, Gallagher spent three years thinking his wife was mumbling, only to discover that he had developed noise-induced hearing loss.
Causes of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be caused by various factors, including prolonged exposure to loud sounds. The World Health Organization states that over 1 billion people between the ages of 12 and 35 risk hearing damage due to prolonged exposure to loud music and other excessive sounds. While most hearing loss is genetic, 10% of hearing loss is caused by noise-induced exposure. According to Hollea Ryan, audiology program director and clinical associate professor at the University of Florida, the change is often gradual, known as “insidious onset,” with frequent visits to places such as concerts and clubs in someone’s 20s causing problems as they age.
Risks of Headphones
Headphones pose a particular risk as they emit noises directly at the ear level. A concert speaker can cause hearing damage, but headphones are more likely to cause harm due to their proximity to the ear. Ear, nose and throat doctor Sreek Cherukuri has hearing loss in his left ear from eight years of beat matching with his headphones on as a DJ. Gallagher notes that gaming headsets can go as loud as 105 decibels, and listening to a sound over 100 decibels can cause irreparable damage after 15 minutes.
Impact on Young People
The average age of hearing aid patients has dropped from 74 to about 60 in the past 10 years. Some of Gallagher’s patients are video game players in their 20s who suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus. Chrisanda Sanchez, pediatric audiologist, assistant professor and interim director of the children’s hearing program at the University of Miami Ear Institute, notes that access to technology is not the problem, but rather how individuals use it. Ignoring parents is typical of teenagers, but some kids may actually be struggling to hear what people are saying due to hearing loss.
Prevention and Protection
Wearing headphones at a volume where other people can get your attention without shouting, wearing earplugs at concerts, and a diet filled with antioxidants can protect ears from hearing damage. The American Academy of Audiology states that approximately 40 million American adults have noise-induced hearing loss. One in four people are expected to have hearing loss by 2050, according to Gallagher. Audiologist Shelly Cristobal recommends the 60/60 rule, which is 60 percent of the volume for 60 minutes at a time, and taking breaks at least once an hour.
Solutions and Treatment
Hearing aids are the typical solution to noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing loss technology is becoming more accessible, with Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 being recognized as an entry-level hearing aid. Modern hearing aids can tailor the sound in a very precise way to the individual person and each individual ear, using artificial intelligence to process sound. According to Ryan, genetics play a factor in noise-induced hearing loss, and researchers are looking at ways to identify the genes that impact hearing loss.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is a significant issue that affects millions of people worldwide. The use of headphones and exposure to loud sounds can cause irreparable damage to one’s hearing. It is essential to take preventive measures, such as wearing earplugs and keeping the volume at a reasonable level, to protect one’s hearing. Regular hearing screenings and check-ups can help identify hearing loss early on, and modern hearing aids can provide effective solutions for those affected.
FAQs
- Q: What is the main cause of hearing loss in young people?
A: The main cause of hearing loss in young people is prolonged exposure to loud sounds, including music and video games. - Q: How can I protect my hearing?
A: You can protect your hearing by wearing earplugs at concerts, keeping the volume at a reasonable level, and taking regular breaks when using headphones. - Q: What is the 60/60 rule?
A: The 60/60 rule is a guideline that recommends listening to music at 60 percent of the maximum volume for 60 minutes at a time, taking regular breaks to give your ears a rest. - Q: Can hearing loss be treated?
A: Yes, hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids, which can help improve one’s ability to hear and communicate effectively. - Q: Is hearing loss linked to other health issues?
A: Yes, hearing loss has been linked to dementia, cognitive decline, and other health issues, making it essential to prioritize hearing health.Despite being a hearing aid specialist himself, Joe Gallagher spent three years convinced that his wife couldn’t stop mumbling. A hearing test proved that he had developed noise-induced hearing loss from the volume level on his video game headphones.
“I was going home and having the same conversations with my wife. I was trying to explain to my patients every day that maybe it’s not the restaurant, maybe it’s not the TV, maybe it’s not your spouse,” said Gallagher, vice president of a Beltone franchise group in Florida. “Let’s look at the common denominator, right? Even for me, it was hard to figure that out.”
Gallagher, who is in his 30s, began wearing hearing aids after his diagnosis. He says that gaming headsets can go as loud as 105 decibels, and listening to a sound over 100 decibels can cause irreparable damage after 15 minutes.
“I’m not sure if you said cheese or sneeze or please; I can hear you, but I can’t understand you very well unless you come into the same room as me and face me when you speak to me,” Gallagher said. “I can hear the volume of things better than the average person, but in the higher frequencies where we find clarity and consonant sounds, 75 to 80 percent of everyday speech I don’t hear as well.”
The World Health Organization states that over 1 billion people between the ages of 12 and 35 risk hearing damage due to prolonged exposure to loud music and other excessive sounds. While most hearing loss is genetic, 10% of hearing loss is caused by noise-induced exposure, according to Hollea Ryan, audiology program director and clinical associate professor at the University of Florida.
The change is often gradual, known as “insidious onset,” with frequent visits to places such as concerts and clubs in someone’s 20s causing problems as they age. Sudden hearing loss can be caused by proximity to an extremely loud sound like an explosion.
“Noise-induced damage is often permanent damage, kind of like going in the sun repeatedly without sunblock, the likelihood is very high you’re going to have some permanent damage in 10 or 20 years,” said ear, nose and throat doctor Sreek Cherukuri. Cherukuri has hearing loss in his left ear from eight years of beat matching with his headphones on as a DJ.
While a concert speaker can cause hearing damage, headphones pose a particular risk as they emit noises directly at the ear level.
According to Gallagher, 3 billion people in the world play video games, with the average gamer playing one or two hours a day, and e-sport players using their headphones for up to 16 hours a day as part of their career. Some of Gallagher’s patients are video game players in their 20s who suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus. He says that the average age of hearing aid patients has dropped from 74 to about 60 in the past 10 years.
“It’s not the technology that’s causing the hearing loss. It’s how we as individuals have access to it and are using it. Access to AirPods and really cool hearing technology is great, but if we don’t use it wisely or safely, then it could pose more risks to hearing,” said Chrisanda Sanchez, pediatric audiologist, assistant professor and interim director of the children’s hearing program at the University of Miami Ear Institute.
While ignoring their parents is typical of teenagers, some kids may actually be struggling to hear what people are saying. When there is background noise such as an air conditioner or people walking by in a hallway, it becomes difficult for those with hearing loss to process information. As school becomes more lecture-intensive in high school or college, the same time when hearing loss may impact people who have played video games or listened to loud music from a young age, it can be difficult to focus on academics.
“Oftentimes this can show up as them being distracted, or the teacher thinks they’re being sort of disgruntled or not participating, where they’re just exhausted from having to try to listen all day at school,” Ryan said.
Wearing headphones at a volume where other people can get your attention without shouting, wearing earplugs at concerts and a diet filled with antioxidants can protect ears from hearing damage.
“Our general rule of thumb is to take breaks at least once an hour and to not use the volume at the full setting. We call this the 60/60 rule, which is 60 percent of the volume for 60 minutes at a time,” said audiologist Shelly Cristobal, owner of Hearing Health Care Services.
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