More than one billion young people
risk damaging their hearing through listening to loud music, the World Health Organization
(WHO) said on Friday.
The WHO estimates that around half
of those between the ages of 12 and 35 in middle- and high-income countries are
at risk due to unsafe levels of sound on personal audio devices or smartphones.
Another 40 percent are at risk from
damaging audio levels at concert venues and night clubs.
“More and more young people are
exposed to unsafe levels of sounds. Young people should be aware that once you
lose your hearing, it won’t come back,” said Shelley Chadha, a WHO specialist on
hearing impairment.
The UN health agency considers a
volume above 85 decibels for eight hours or 100 decibels for 15 minutes as
unsafe.
Exposure to traffic noise at peak
hours can reach 85 decibels.
The vuvuzela, a popular wind
instrument used in stadiums during the football World Cup in South Africa in
2010, has a sound intensity of 120 decibels and over nine seconds of exposure
could result in irreversible hearing damage.
“It is something we can live
without,” Chadha said referring to the vuvuzela.
To counter the risks, the WHO
recommends that personal audio devices should not be used for more than an hour
a day, at reduced sound levels.
The use of ear plugs in loud
conditions and regular check ups were part of the recommendations as well.
The WHO also wants governments to
play a role by imposing strict regulations on noise in public places.
The UN agency estimates that 360
million people suffer from hearing loss worldwide. In addition to noise related
causes and ageing, it is also brought on by infectious diseases, genetic
conditions, complications at birth, and use of certain drugs.
We should take note of this and try to avoid all that could lead to any health impediment.Care should be taken about exposing ourselves to constant loud noise especially with the availability of every kind of smart devices.
One billion young at risk of hearing loss from loud music – WHO
More than one billion young people risk
damaging their hearing through listening to loud music, the World Health
Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
The WHO estimates that around half of those between the ages of 12 and 35 in middle- and high-income countries are at risk due to unsafe levels of sound on personal audio devices or smartphones.
Another 40 percent are at risk from damaging audio levels at concert venues and night clubs.
“More and more young people are exposed to unsafe levels of sounds. Young people should be aware that once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back,” said Shelley Chadha, a WHO specialist on hearing impairment.
The UN health agency considers a volume above 85 decibels for eight hours or 100 decibels for 15 minutes as unsafe.
Exposure to traffic noise at peak hours can reach 85 decibels.
The vuvuzela, a popular wind instrument used in stadiums during the football World Cup in South Africa in 2010, has a sound intensity of 120 decibels and over nine seconds of exposure could result in irreversible hearing damage.
“It is something we can live without,” Chadha said referring to the vuvuzela.
To counter the risks, the WHO recommends that personal audio devices should not be used for more than an hour a day, at reduced sound levels.
The use of ear plugs in loud conditions and regular check ups were part of the recommendations as well.
The WHO also wants governments to play a role by imposing strict regulations on noise in public places.
The UN agency estimates that 360 million people suffer from hearing loss worldwide. In addition to noise related causes and ageing, it is also brought on by infectious diseases, genetic conditions, complications at birth, and use of certain drugs.
The WHO estimates that around half of those between the ages of 12 and 35 in middle- and high-income countries are at risk due to unsafe levels of sound on personal audio devices or smartphones.
Another 40 percent are at risk from damaging audio levels at concert venues and night clubs.
“More and more young people are exposed to unsafe levels of sounds. Young people should be aware that once you lose your hearing, it won’t come back,” said Shelley Chadha, a WHO specialist on hearing impairment.
The UN health agency considers a volume above 85 decibels for eight hours or 100 decibels for 15 minutes as unsafe.
Exposure to traffic noise at peak hours can reach 85 decibels.
The vuvuzela, a popular wind instrument used in stadiums during the football World Cup in South Africa in 2010, has a sound intensity of 120 decibels and over nine seconds of exposure could result in irreversible hearing damage.
“It is something we can live without,” Chadha said referring to the vuvuzela.
To counter the risks, the WHO recommends that personal audio devices should not be used for more than an hour a day, at reduced sound levels.
The use of ear plugs in loud conditions and regular check ups were part of the recommendations as well.
The WHO also wants governments to play a role by imposing strict regulations on noise in public places.
The UN agency estimates that 360 million people suffer from hearing loss worldwide. In addition to noise related causes and ageing, it is also brought on by infectious diseases, genetic conditions, complications at birth, and use of certain drugs.
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