Download Teens at Risk for Hearing Loss

Teens at Risk for Hearing
Loss
By Sonia Montalvo
What’s the problem?
 World Health Organization reported that according to their study Over
1Billion teens are at risk of losing their hearing.
 What you think is a normal level of music is most likely not.
 Those “normal levels” can do serious damage to your ears.
How it was analyzed
 WHO analyzed the listening habits of people aged 12-35
 The analysis also focused on people who lived in wealthier countries.
(Countries weren’t specified
What did they find?
 50 % of participants listen to unsafe levels on their devices
 Devices include but aren’t limited to:
 Audio Devices
 Smart Phones
 Tablets
What Did They Find?
 40 % of participants are exposed to damaging sound levels
 According to the WHO, exposure to noise levels of 100 dB, which is typical
in night clubs and sports bars, is safe for only 15 minutes or less
Once your hearing is lost…
 It is gone forever!
 Famous people who have permanent hearing loss include:
 Rapper Plan B
 ColdPlay’s Chris Martin
 Danny Elfman (Composer of music in Tim Burton’s films)
Possible results of loud music
 Temporary Hearing Loss
 Tinnitus(Constant noise or ringing of ears)
 Permanent Hearing loss
WHO suggests safe listening
 Safe listening involves these steps
 Place headphones on and gradually turn up the volume
 Monitor the volume
 Don’t use headphones in situations that require full attention
Other WHO reccommendations
 The permissible maximum level is 85 decibels for up to 8 hours a day
 Wear earplugs when in noisy venues
 Taking short listening breaks
 Wearing noise canceling earphone
 Listening to personal devices should be limited to 1 hour a day
 NO earbuds
Sources
 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2015/ear-care/en/
 http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/06/health/hearing-loss-loudmusic/index.html