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Doctors Warn People Who Keep Their Headphones On For More Than An Hour

Doctors Warn People Who Keep Their Headphones On For More Than An Hour

Many people put on their headphones by turning up the volume of the music. WHO warns people about the dangers of prolonged use. 10 million people are victims of hearing impairment, about 15% of the population. If several factors can accentuate this phenomenon, prolonged use of headphones at excessive volume is one of its preventable causes. Faced with the risks of the latter, Dr. Etienne Krug, director of injury and violence prevention at the WHO recommends not to exceed one hour a day to protect his hearing. His advice and the advice of his colleagues have been shared by NBC and BBC News.

Doctors Warn People Who Keep Their Headphones

The progressive loss of hearing has deleterious consequences on the physical and mental well-being of an individual. Indeed, hearing dysfunctions lead to social isolation as well as cognitive impairment. However, many people develop habits that affect their hearing without being aware of it.

The risks of prolonged exposure to noise
Exposure to loud noises increases the risk of developing hearing problems, according to a scientific study. However, many children, adolescents and young adults have gotten into the annoying habit of listening to music under headphones or headphones for sometimes several hours at excessive volume.

Dr. Etienne Krug explains in an article by the World Health Organization: "As they enjoy life, more and more young people are at risk of hearing loss. Unfortunately, they don't realize that once the hearing is damaged, it doesn't come back. "

Indeed, the doctor explains that hearing loss is often irreversible and that it would be wise to prevent this serious problem. To remedy this, the WHO report advises to reduce the volume level when a person uses audio equipment, and it would be preferable that this use does not exceed one hour per day to reduce exposure to noise, as explains the BBC.

Unanimous advice
Nicole Raia, an audiologist clinician at Newark University Hospital, says that younger children are suffering from tinnitus more and more, but this problem is not detected until after adolescence, usually between 20 and 30 years of age.

Dr Sreekant Cherukuri, an ENT specialist in India, says the excessive use of smartphones is to blame. With more and more developed technologies, young people have no more trouble listening to their music at a very high volume, while before, increasing the volume was automatically associated with sound distortion and a lower battery.

External risk factors
In addition, young people very often expose themselves on their outings to background music with a very high volume. Discotheque, concerts, bars, festivals or events of all kinds, young people are regularly victims of their favorite activities. A new survey highlighted the potential pathologies of their lifestyle. Its results highlight the risks run by young people in the event of damage to the inner ear, in particular partial or permanent deafness.

WHO recommendations
The WHO explains that the intensity and volume of sound as well as the duration and frequency of listening are important elements to take into account. It is therefore recommended not to exceed a sound volume of 85 decibels for a maximum duration of 8 hours, and to limit the use of accessories such as headphones to 1 hour per day. Note that for Dr. Krug, "even an hour can be harmful to health if the volume is too high".

In addition, it is advisable not to spend more than 15 minutes in a place that is too noisy. Finally, it is strongly recommended that you take into account the symptoms of hearing loss and review your condition regularly.

Daily advice to prevent hearing loss
According to the WHO, there are some ways to prevent hearing problems. Here is a non-exhaustive list of recommendations to follow:

- Do not expose yourself to music at more than 85 decibels more than 8 hours per day and at a volume of more than 100 decibels more than 15 minutes.
- Avoid staying more than 15 minutes in a place where the volume is too high (more than 100 decibels)

- Reduce the sound of your hearing aids such as headsets or earphones

- Put a sound control system on your smartphone so as not to exceed a determined sound level

- Wear ear plugs when you have to go to noisy places

If you feel you have a hearing problem, go see a doctor right away. Tinnitus can go unnoticed and cause a more serious disorder.