WHO loud music threatens teenage ears

02/27/2015

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the hearing of more than a billion teenagers is threatened with loud music, according to news agency dpa. The adolescents and young adults risk losing their sense of hearing as a result of the massive noise pollution. Around 360 million people worldwide are currently affected by moderate to severe hearing problems for various reasons, the "dpa" reports, citing the WHO.

Through loud listening to music, the hearing is heavily burdened and threaten irreversible damage. According to the WHO, around 1.1 billion teenagers and young adults risk losing their hearing in this way, according to the news agency "dpa". The WHO reported on Friday in Geneva from studies from various countries, which show that in the group of 12- to 35-year-olds just under half of listening to music or visiting clubs and sporting events is exposed to a dangerous volume.

Loss of hearing irreversible
From a volume of 85 decibels (approximately medium traffic), hearing damage can occur, but only if people are exposed to this strain more than eight hours daily. A noise level of more than 100 decibels (sound of a jackhammer) could cause hearing damage after just over 15 minutes, the "dpa" continues. "Everyone should be aware that hearing loss will not return after a loss," the news agency quotes WHO expert Etienne Krug.

Protect ears against noise
The WHO recommends generally less loud to hear music and limit the duration as possible to an hour, reports the "dpa". In addition, earplugs are recommended when visiting extremely loud events. Also a short noise break could be helpful. For this, the organizers would have to provide appropriate "chill-out rooms" in which it should be as quiet as possible. Even relatively short interruptions in noise levels offer the hearing the opportunity to recover and the risk of long-term damage is significantly reduced. (Fp)