Turn down the volume: young people are losing their hearing considerably (but this is how we can prevent it)

“We are listening to more music than ever,” says one of the main findings of the study. Engage with music carried out each year by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) to understand music consumption habits around the world.

According to the report released this week, in 2023, on average, about 20.7 hours of music per person were listened to per week, surpassing the 20.1 hours recorded last year. This increase, underlines the IFPI itself, is equivalent to thirteen additional three-minute songs.

The study, based on data obtained from the 26 largest markets in the world and a sample of 43,000 respondents aged 16 to 64, reveals that there are seven main methods of listening: via services audio streaming (32%), video streaming (31%), radio (17%), purchasing music on CDs, vinyls, DVDs and digital downloads (9%), live performances (4%) and other alternatives (7%) %).

One of the most interesting results of the study is the one that refers to the importance of music in the lives of those surveyed: 71% said that it is essential for their mental health, and 78% said that it helps them cope with stress.

But as the time spent consuming music increases, so does a threat to this pleasure: cases linked to hearing loss around the world continue to grow.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 5% of the world’s population, or some 430 million people, suffer from disabling hearing loss requiring rehabilitation. It is feared that by 2050 this figure will exceed 700 million, which would mean that one in ten people on the planet would have hearing problems.

Other studies paint an even more worrying picture: a report published in 2023 by BMJ Global Health ensures that between 670 and 1.350 million young people in the world today risk losing their hearing. Why young people? Because of their bad daily habits.

On November 26, 1991, Epic Records was released Dangerous, which will be the last significant album of Michael Jackson’s career. One of the first promotional singles from this work was “Black or White”, whose unforgettable music video starred Macaulay Culkin, ultra-famous for My poor little angel (1990).

The video begins with a scene at Culkin’s supposed parents’ home. It’s dark, but the boy still doesn’t want to sleep: he locks himself in his room and plays the intro to Jackson’s song at full volume. A drumbeat crushes the atmosphere, as Culkin jumps on the bed and accompanies the distorted guitar melody with gestures in the air.

Just downstairs in the living room, the father cannot watch television in peace. “Turn off that noise!” » he shouts, annoyed. Without result, he makes a second attempt, but this time from the porch of Culkin’s room: “I told you to turn that thing off: it’s late and it’s very noisy! You are wasting your time with this garbage! “Go to your bed!”, he shouts angrily, before slamming the door which, to his misfortune, knocks over the framed poster that Culkin has hung on the inside of the door. The boy, a little elf, gets his revenge: a thunderous strum of his electric guitar amplified by a huge tower of speakers sends the father and his chair flying off the roof of a classic American suburban house into the African jungle, in the middle of a Pack of Lions.

Youth rebellion against conservatism boomer. For some reason, among the symbols of this generational war is volume. While deafness is presented as a caricature of old age – since its prevalence increases with old age – young people can listen to music at the highest level without supposedly suffering any repercussions.

But according to the BMJ Global Health study, between 18% and 29% of young people are exposed daily to sounds exceeding recommended levels. The WHO agrees that it is one of the leading causes of hearing loss in young people and adults.

What is the recommended level? To ensure good health and well-being, the WHO says the limit should be close to 65 decibels (dB). If exposure is greater than 85 dB, for eight hours or more, you risk chronic hearing loss. If exposure is frequent and exceeds 100 dB, the risk of immediate loss is sufficient to alarm anyone.

According to experts, hearing damage can be temporary or permanent. In the first case, “there may be tinnitus or tinnitus, which heals quickly; However, if exposure is repeated or at very high volumes, it can cause permanent damage,” explains Bárbara Huidobro, otolaryngologist at the UC CHRISTUS Health Network.

Huidobro says genetics are a factor to consider, as they may mean a greater predisposition to noise damage. There may also be other risk factors, such as chronic illnesses, that add to the damage caused by noise.

When we talk about disabling hearing loss, we are referring to that which exceeds 35 decibels (dB) in the ear that hears better. To give you an idea, a conversation typically occurs around 65 dB, while a motorcycle engine reaches 90 dB and car horns reach 100 dB. These latter examples represent noises that are generally annoying to people. But the most pleasant ones can also be harmful.

One of the habits that would explain this sharp increase in cases is listening to music with headphones and at volumes higher than recommended levels. But they also affect frequent exposure to the high decibels usually achieved at concerts, parties and music festivals.

“It is important to explain that the noise level in places like festivals is generally around 104-112 decibels, figures very far from the 60 decibels considered safe and very close to the 120 decibels from a drill,” comments on the GAES speech. therapist. , Constanza Carrero.

“What happens with these noise levels is that they can damage hair cells, which are very sensitive transducers for hearing, and which allow us to hear correctly,” he explains. “When exposed to loud sounds, fatigue, tinnitus – the typical auditory ringing that usually occurs after a concert – and even temporary hearing loss can occur,” adds the specialist doctor.

Hearing loss can occur in one or both ears and its impact on quality of life can be quite profound. “This can lead to communication problems, isolation, depression and even cognitive problems, so it is important to prevent it and if there are already symptoms, consult an ENT doctor,” says Huidobro.

“The symptoms that should suggest hearing damage are tinnitus or ringing in the ears, which is the perception of a sound when it does not exist. Another symptom is hearing loss or hearing loss, which can manifest as difficulty hearing or, more commonly, difficulty understanding. In these cases, the person is listening, knows that someone is speaking to them, but is not able to understand the message. This can be accentuated in noisy environments,” replies the otolaryngologist.

To maintain healthy hearing, it is important to take into consideration not only the intensity of the sound but also the exposure time. For example, the WHO maintains that more than 4 minutes of loud music through headphones can cause hearing damage.

Some of the recommendations provided by the specialists are:

Constanza Carrero recommends applying the “60/60” rule: that is, not using in-ear headphones (those that are inserted into the ear) for more than 60 minutes a day and never not exceeding 60% of the volume at which they can operate. . For her part, Bárbara Huidobro recommends opting for headphones with active noise cancellation. “This way there is no need to increase the volume as much. »

Concerts and music played through headphones aren’t the only risk factors: nightclubs, discos and bars can also involve risky exposure to high audio levels. According to the WHO, it is advisable to take hearing breaks. “You should not wait until you feel some discomfort to stop exposing yourself to loud noises, because the damage will then be irreversible. The most important thing is to prevent it,” adds Huidobro.

When exposure occurs in the workplace, Huidobro emphasizes that it is important to consider that “there are laws that protect workers with limits on the intensity and duration of exposure to noise. If necessary, it is important that hearing protection is used during hazardous work.

“Use hearing protection or earplugs,” suggests Huidobro. “Also avoid being near any speakers or speakers, because if you’re too close, your hearing risk increases exponentially,” says Huidobro.

Because it develops slowly, most people don’t know if they have hearing loss. “This is why it is so important to check your hearing level with a specialist,” advises Carreño.