The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that 1.1 billion young people are at risk of developing hearing loss due to the use of personal audio devices such as smartphones and damaging levels of sound at music venues, where noise levels can exceed 120 decibels for hours. Perhaps the biggest culprit of hearing loss among millennials is caused by listening to iPods and smartphones through earbuds, which place the sound closer to the ear drum and enhance volume by as much as nine decibels. At full volume, MP3 players and other digital music devices can produce as much noise as a live rock concert. At very high volumes, hearing loss can occur after as little as eight minutes of listening.
The most important step you can take to safeguard your hearing is to be smart—don’t subject yourself to sounds too loud to tolerate and carry ear protection to wear in noisy environments. Having your hearing checked is another way to stay on top of possible auditory loss. If you’ve never had a hearing test, or if it’s been awhile since your last one, take a moment to give The Ear Clinic a call, 226-909-0966, to schedule a complimentary evaluation. If wearing a hearing aid is indicated, we can show you a variety of instruments and determine which is best for you. Financing is available. Hear the sounds of your life.
P.S. Research shows that about 89 percent of people listening to MP3 players will turn up the volume if ambient noise (subways or street noise) is too loud.