Loud music could cause hearing loss, warn experts

Researchers from Yale University school of medicine U.S. and Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) NI, U.K., established that listening to loud music can cause immense and early damage to hearing.

Lead researcher, Professor Peter Rabinowitz at Occupational and Environmental Medicine programme, Yale, said, “Traditionally, noise induced hearing loss was a disease of adults who worked in noisy occupations or used firearms.”

“However, concern is growing that children and young adults are developing noise induced hearing loss as a result of ‘environmental’ overexposure to amplified music, especially through the use of personal music devices such as MP3 players,” added Rabinowitz.

Risk of deafness
According to the researchers, kids and adolescents are at an elevated risk of deafness as early as middle age due to their habit of listening to loud music for hours.

This leads to deafness including placid to moderate hearing loss, not only in elderly but in youngsters too.

This persistent ear problem is caused by over-time exposure to loud music or noise that injures the hair cells in the inner ear.

Rabinowitz stated that inserting earphones in the ear canal amplifies the volume to over 120 decibels, which is similar to noise from a jet engine.

The research further revealed that 66 percent of music-player users are listening to music at louder than 85 decibels.

Emma Harrison, director of public engagement at RNID said that according to World Health Organisation, music louder than 85 decibels could eventually cause permanent hearing damage.

Furthermore, research found that 58 percent of people aged16 to 30 were ignorant of any hearing damage from such gadgets.

Also, many studies have drawn a connection between iPod or MP3 player listening and reduced concentration while driving.

Recommendations of experts
The study researchers advised that the general practitioners should inform people of the safety concerns and avoid listening to music at maximum volumes and adopt measures like avoid using earphones while driving.

Rabinowitz stated that while adopting newer technologies, it would be wise for all to adopt measures to use it safely and without any harms to health.

The researcher also stated that there was no conclusive evidence of damage but said, “Several studies have found that reported use of personal music players is associated with worse hearing function in adolescents and young adults.”

The study appears in British Medical Journal.