Hearing Loss: A Silent Epidemic
Hearing loss is a silent epidemic in Britain that’s spreading to the masses. The Daily Mail recently printed an article which mentions that according to the charity, Action on Hearing Loss, by 2031 about 14.5 million people will be suffering from hearing loss. Currently, 20% of young people have hearing problems from exposure to loud sound, and that number is set to rise due to our technological advancements.
Why are we Exposing Ourselves to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss?
With our modern life so full of gadgets, most of us are plugged into some form of sound or another on a regular basis. Whether it’s watching TV with surround sound system, or listening to music through headphones, we’re constantly exposed to noises in greater frequency and volume than ever before.
Just recently the WHO (the World Health Organisation) wrote that 1.1. A billion teenagers and young adults are at risk of developing hearing loss because of excessive use of earphones which causes hearing loss caused by loud music.
The Daily Mail article further argues that ‘hearing loss has implications beyond not being able to hear properly. Studies show that it affects psychological well- being and is linked to a greater risk of depression and isolation, with younger people the worst affected.’
What is a safe volume for headphones?
The maximum safe level is 80 decibels (dB), but most personal audio devices, including MP3 players and phones, can turn up the volume to more than 100 dB.
Most people are not even aware of this potential risk which makes this a bigger problem. We are so used to our technological conveniences, so used to taking our ears for granted, that we don’t think about what damage we may be causing.
How to Protect Your Ears
Using devices such as HDM® can prevent you from exposing yourself to dangerous levels of sound, causing you to develop noise-induced hearing loss. The inbuilt volume controls to protect your hearing, and the warning messages give you information when you are exceeding recommended safety levels. HearAngel® app tracks noise levels to protect your hearing and that of your children. With so many potential dangers to our hearing, particularly to the sensitive ears of young children, it is essential to not only spread awareness but to start taking steps to protect your hearing.
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