The study showed that one in five teens exhibited a slight loss of hearing, affecting only one ear and involving mostly high-frequency sound. One in twenty teens, however, showed "moderate, progressive" loss.
"It's not a stretch to attribute these losses to the prolific use of loud-playing MP3s, concert attendance and other environmental factors," noted Dr. Mary Bohr, Director of Audiology at McGuire's Hearing Aids and Audiological Services.
"One of the best ways to combat this trend is to educate teens and their parents about healthy hearing habits," she added.
Scientists believe that, depending upon the type of noise, the pure force of vibrations from loud sounds can cause hearing loss. Recent studies also show that exposure to harmful noise levels triggers the formation of molecules inside the ear that contribute to hair cell damage and noise-induced hearing loss, or NIHL. These destructive molecules play an important role in hearing loss in children and adults who listen to loud noise for too long.
NIHL occurs based on three factors the decibel level (loudness) of a sound; the amount of time you are exposed to it; and the distance you are from the source of the sound. In addition, the impact of noise adds up over a lifetime. If you are exposed to loud sounds on a regular basis, your risk for permanent damage adds up as you age.
NIHL is also related to a person's genes. Some people are more likely than others to develop NIHL when they listen to certain sounds. Scientists are working to determine why some people are more at risk for NIHL and why some face less risk. For this reason, it is wise to protect our hearing when we are exposed to loud noise.
Researchers who study hearing loss in the workplace have found that a person who is exposed to noise levels at 85 decibels or higher for a prolonged period of time is at risk for hearing loss. An MP3 player at maximum level is roughly 105 decibels. Scientists recommend no more than 15 minutes of unprotected exposure to sounds that are 100 decibels. In addition, regular exposure to sounds at 110 decibels for more than one minute can result in permanent hearing loss.
Dr. Bohr advises patients to avoid risking NIHL by practicing the following:
- block loud noises by wearing headphones, earplugs or earmuffs
- purchase earbuds that offer a custom fit for you and allow optimal MP3 use without excessive volume . Newly developed earbuds are now available at McGuire's which actually control the loudest sounds from MP3 and IPods so that they never exceed allowable limits.
- avoid the noise by distancing yourself from the source or leaving an area entirely
- cover your ears with your hands if exposed to loud environments temporarily
- turn down the volume of MP3s, stereos, or other devices that emit loud sounds
"If you believe you may have a hearing loss, contact a certified audiologist who offers a free hearing screening with no obligation," Dr. Bohr suggested. "Only a professional hearing practitioner can determine if you have a hearing loss and offer solutions for better hearing," she noted.
