Hearing loss is commonly considered an older person’s problem – in fact, it’s estimated that nearly 50% of individuals over 75 copes with some kind of hearing loss. But studies show that younger people are at risk for hearing loss – and, alarmingly, they are losing their hearing in spite of the fact that it’s totally avoidable.
One study of 479 freshmen across three high schools discovered that 34% of those students showed signs of hearing loss. What could be causing this? The idea is that mobile devices with earbuds connected are contributing to the problem. And younger people aren’t the only ones at risk.
What causes hearing loss in individuals under 60?
If others can hear your music, it’s too loud and that’s a basic rule for teenagers and everybody. 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 typical mobile device with the volume turned all the way up 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 reality is that kids spend well over two hours every day on their devices, frequently with their earphones or earbuds in. During this time, they’re enjoying music, playing games, and watching video. And this will only increase over the next several years, if we’re to believe present research. The production of dopamine acts in a similar way to addictive drugs and studies have demonstrated that smartphones and other screens can stimulate dopamine release. It will become harder and harder to get screens away from kids, and their hearing might suffer because of it.
Young people are at risk of hearing loss
Clearly, hearing loss presents several obstacles for anybody, regardless of age. For younger individuals though, after school activities, sports, and job possibilities produce additional challenges. Students with hearing loss face a really difficult time hearing and understanding concepts. It also makes participating in sports much more difficult, since so much of sports requires listening to coaches and teammates giving directions and calling plays. Early hearing loss can have a negative impact on confidence as well, which puts unwanted roadblocks in the way of teenagers and young adults who are joining the workforce.
Hearing loss can also cause social issues. Kids with damaged hearing have a harder time interacting with peers, which often leads to social and emotional problems that require therapy. Mental health problems are prevalent in people of all ages who cope with hearing loss because they often feel isolated and experience anxiety and depression. Mental health treatment and hearing loss management often go together and this is especially true with kids and teenagers in their early developmental years.
How young people can prevent hearing loss
The first rule to observe is the 60/60 rule – devices and earbuds should only be used for 60 minutes per day at 60% or less of the highest volume. If your kids listen to headphones at 60% and you can still hear them while sitting near them, you should have them lower the volume until you can no longer hear it.
You might also want to ditch the earbuds and opt for the older style over-the-ear headphones. Earbuds put directly inside of the ear can actually generate 6 to 9 extra decibels when compared to traditional headphones.
In general, though, do what you can to limit your child’s exposure to loud sounds during the day. Try to make their home time free of headphone use because you can’t regulate what they are doing while they’re not home. And if you do believe your child is dealing with hearing loss, you should have them examined right away.
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
