There are currently more than 430 million people with a disabling hearing loss, according to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO). Young people are especially vulnerable to this problem due to the use of personal listening devices (PLD), such as smartphones and headphones, and attending venues or events where loud music is played.
In fact, new research has revealed that between 670 million and 1.35 billion adolescents and young adults are at risk of hearing loss from such causes. The researchers have reviewed 33 studies that included data from 35 registries and 19,046 participants; 17 records focused on the use of personal listening devices (PLDs) and 18 focused on noisy entertainment venues.
Previous studies showed that PLD users often select high volumes to listen to music, such as 105 dB, while the average sound levels in entertainment venues range from 104 to 112 dB, which exceeds the permitted levels (80 dB for adults; 75 dB for children) even for very short periods of time.
Unsafe listening practices that increase the risk of deafness
The aim of the authors of the research, which has been published in BMJ Global Health, was to assess the prevalence of unsafe listening practices among adolescents and young adults in order to develop a global estimate of the number of individuals who would be at risk of hearing loss. hearing loss, and provide information on evidence-based strategies to safeguard the hearing health of this sector of the population.
“There is an urgent need for governments, industry and civil society to prioritize the global prevention of hearing loss by promoting safe listening practices”
The researchers reviewed research databases of relevant studies that had been published in English, French, Spanish, and Russian, involving people aged 12 to 34 years and providing information on objectively measured device output levels, as well as on the duration of sound exposure. In addition, they calculated the number of people who might be at risk of hearing loss considering the estimated global population aged 12-34 in 2022 (2.8 billion) and best estimates of exposure to unsafe listening practices from PLD or Noise in entertainment venues derived from the systematic review.
Analysis of pooled data showed that the prevalence of unsafe listening practices due to the use of PLD and attendance at noisy entertainment areas is common worldwide: 24% and 48%, respectively, among adolescents and young people. Based on these figures, they have estimated that the number of adolescents and young adults who could potentially be at risk of hearing loss as a result ranges from 670 million to 1.35 billion.
The authors of the study have recognized that it has certain limitations, such as that it does not have a standardized methodology and that its estimates did not take into account certain factors that could influence the results, such as demographic aspects and recent changes in listening policy. Safe in some countries/regions. Despite this, they conclude that: “There is an urgent need for governments, industry and civil society to prioritize the global prevention of hearing loss by promoting safe listening practices.”
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