When people think of hearing loss, they often associate it with those who work in loud environments, such as construction, or even with older adults. What they might not consider is the growing prevalence of hearing loss among younger generations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that over 5% of the world’s population, roughly 430 million people, require rehabilitation to address hearing loss. WHO also estimates that, by 2050, over one in every ten people will have disabling hearing loss.
The Rise in Hearing Loss Among Young Adults
The rise in hearing loss among young adults can be attributed to many things. In a rapidly evolving technological world, music and the ability to stream it seamlessly are a primary vector in preventing hearing loss.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that exposure to loud music from personal listening devices and entertainment venues poses a risk of hearing loss. Nearly 25% of adults aged 20–69 exhibit some signs of noise-induced hearing loss.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), noise-induced hearing loss occurs when noise levels reach a certain decibel level. Though sounds below 70 A-weighted decibels (dBA) are unlikely to cause hearing loss, those above 85 dBA can cause hearing loss.
To explain this in everyday terms, normal conversations are typically between 60 and 70 dBA. Movie theaters rise above 74 dBA, while motorcycles and dirt bikes, music through headphones at max volume, and sporting events and concerts have been shown to contain sounds anywhere between 80 and over 100 dBA.
How Does Sound Damage Our Hearing?
The NIH indicates that sound waves enter through the ear canal to the eardrum, which then vibrates from incoming sounds and sends these vibrations to tiny bones in the middle ear. The membrane within the middle ear causes fluid vibrations within the inner ear, triggering hair or sensory cells to react. These cells then move up and down, sending the signals they interpret to the brain.
Loud noises can ultimately lead to the death of these hair cells, which unfortunately do not regenerate over time. Once they are gone, they are gone for good.
What Can Be Done To Safeguard Our Hearing?
The World Health Organization’s 2022 survey on adult perceptions of hearing loss shows that adults in the United States are aware of the hazards posed by high sound levels at concerts and other events. This awareness has led to a rise in the number of people expressing concerns about their hearing health.
Protecting your ears is important, and hearing loss can be prevented by avoiding loud activities and places, keeping volume levels on devices low, and giving your ears a break from headphones and other loud noises.
For those whose hearing has already been affected by damage, companies like Zepp Clarity offer discreet, tech-forward solutions, which include nearly invisible hearing aids and digital assessments that help individuals gauge their overall hearing loss. Zepp Clarity sells three over-the-counter devices: the Omni, the One, and the Pixie. Prices range from $399 to $999, making them a more affordable option for those who opt for a non-prescription hearing aid.
All devices sold by Zepp come with lifetime audiology support, as well as direct access to audiologists, who ensure users get personalized care and optimized adjustments for their hearing health throughout their lives.
Specialists agree that if something seems too loud, it probably is. However, if you’ve noticed that your hearing has already been affected by your lifestyle or surroundings, reach out to a specialist to see what can be done. Early treatment can prevent your hearing loss from worsening.
