Vibing to your niche music taste at full volume? Studies show possible hearing loss

Samantha Azur

Headphones, in this generation, are now classified as an essential that the majority of young people are making use of. It is a lifestyle that is naturally passed by the younger generation—whether to enjoy their niche music taste, staying in one’s own world, or even dodge unwanted small talk.

An inherent device used for listening to music and for audible listening experience on online meetings, while its volume ranges from 105-110 decibels (dB) of maximum—as loud as a power saw. Yet, numerous listeners turn their volume up to its limit that their music leaks out of their earphones, often unaware of the threats it may cause to their hearing.

According to the study of Springer Nature in Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology, extreme Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)—irreversible damage to the inner ear triggered by excessively loud or prolonged sounds—risks are targeting those who frequently listen to loud music, particularly through audio devices. 

Subjection to loud music for a long amount of time may result in drowsy damage in the aftermath of the ear’s auditory cells, including hearing loss.

Furthermore, audio devices deliver sound through the ear between air circulation, a process that conducts sound waves, thus, operating a method of movement that passes air in your ear canal. As it goes through the auditory canal, it meets with a high risk of sound exposure—or the pressure of sound—damaging tiny cells in the inner area of the ear, causing potential likelihood of NIHL.

Stated by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCDs), NIHL can be either temporary or permanent, as well as affecting one ear or both. 

Using audio devices to deliver sound directly to your ears, particularly in max volume, can develop temporary hearing loss in the span of 15 minutes or even less. 

Although, for serious lengths of NIHL, it will occur in less than two minutes—mostly caused by the severe loss of hair cells. In contrast to amphibians and other species, human hair cells don’t regrow. Thus, gone for good.

If hearing loss irreversibility arises while unhelpful help of headphones among young people syncs, a promotion to a disquieting matter may be upheld. According to the authority of the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1 billion people aged 12 to 35 are at risk of hearing loss. 

Furthermore, approximately 25% of young people are unprotected from unsafe sound levels through audio devices, indicating that almost one in every four teen listeners frequently use these devices in maximum volume—increasing their chances of hearing damage while making focus a hard practice.

Despite hearing, NIHL can alter attention spans and focus. People who are developing hearing problems frequently spend more time in processing conversations and sounds than normal, resulting in reduced attention in work spaces and in social functions.

Prodromal signs of hearing damage may include ringing in the ears, stifled listening, and challenges in comprehending small talks as it gradually interferes with focus. Based on the study, roughly 50 million Americans experience tinnitus—ringing in the ears—while nearly 90% of tinnitus cases are linked with hearing losses, making it an alarming notice that should not be bypassed.

Luckily, this hearing loss is evitable. The WHO advises the 60/60 rule—a health guideline designed by audiologists, instructing to listen at maximums of 60% volume and 60 minutes.

As personal audio devices advance into this generation, as an essential, applying safe listening habits is also significant. Whether it is for vibing to their piqued music, focusing on their own thoughts, or just simply avoiding unwanted small talks, building higher precautions aids prevent outcomes that damage our well being or future possibilities that hoaxes focus on.