Hearing loss is traditionally considered an older person’s issue – in fact, it’s estimated that nearly 50% of people aged 75 and older copes with some form of hearing loss. But research shows that younger people are at risk for hearing loss – and, alarmingly, they are losing their hearing in spite of the fact that it’s entirely preventable.

One study of 479 freshmen across three high schools revealed that 34% of those students showed indications of hearing loss. What could be causing this? The thought is that mobile devices with earbuds connected are contributing to the problem. And everyone’s at risk.

Why do people under 60 experience hearing loss?

If others can hear your music, it’s too loud and that’s a basic rule for teenagers and everybody. Harm to your hearing can occur when you listen to sounds above 85 decibels – which is approximately the sound of a vacuum cleaner – for an extended period of time. A standard mobile device with the volume turned all the way up clocks in at around 106 decibels. In this situation, damage starts to take place in under 4 minutes.

While this seems like common sense stuff, the truth is that kids spend well over two hours every day on their devices, frequently with their earphones or earbuds in. They’re playing games, watching footage, or listening to music during this time. And if current research is to be believed, this time will only increase over the next several years. Studies show that smartphones and other screens activate dopamine production in younger kids’ brains, which is the same reaction caused by addictive drugs. It will be more and more difficult to get screens away from kids, and their hearing may suffer because of it.

The risks of hearing loss in young people

Regardless of age, hearing loss obviously presents numerous difficulties. For younger people though, after school activities, sports, and job possibilities create additional difficulties. Students with hearing loss face a particularly difficult time hearing and understanding concepts. It also makes participating in sports much more difficult, since so much of sports requires listening to coaches and teammates giving instructions and calling plays. Early hearing loss can have a negative impact on confidence as well, which puts unnecessary obstacles in the way of teenagers and young adults who are entering the workforce.

Hearing loss can also cause social problems. Kids with damaged hearing have a more difficult time connecting with peers, which often causes social and emotional problems that require therapy. People who suffer with hearing loss frequently feel isolated and experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Mental health treatment and hearing loss management often go together and this is particularly true with kids and teenagers in their early developmental years.

How young people can prevent hearing loss

The first rule to observe is the 60/60 rule – devices and earbuds should only be used for 60 minutes a day at 60% or less of the maximum volume. If your kids listen to headphones at 60% and you can still hear the sound while sitting close to them, you should have them turn it down until you can’t hear it.

It also may be smart to change back to over-the-ear style headphones and stop using earbuds. Earbuds placed directly into the ear can actually produce 6 to 9 extra decibels compared to traditional headphones.

In general, though, do what you can to reduce your child’s exposure to loud sounds throughout the day. You can’t control everything they do during school or on the bus, so try to make the time they’re at home headphone-free. And if you do think your child is dealing with hearing loss, you should have them evaluated right away.

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References

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing
https://newsie.co.nz/news/163631-deaf-foundation-blames-earbuds-phones-teens-hearing-loss.html
https://time.com/4989275/young-children-tablets-mobile-devices/
https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52500-Hearing-loss-among-kids-and-teens
https://hearinghealthfoundation.org/blogs/protecting-your-hearing-means-protecting-your-mental-health
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/earbuds.html