Widespread Hearing Loss Amongst Children

Experts have warned that many children are losing their hearing and by the age of 30, have the hearing capacity of a 60 year old. The hearing loss epidemic is not down to diseases or a virus but the rising exposure to high volumes of noise.

Experts have warned that many children are losing their hearing and by the age of 30, have the hearing capacity of a 60 year old. The hearing loss epidemic is not down to diseases or a virus but the rising exposure to high volumes of noise.

Young children often listen to their music or play video games with the volume at the maximum level; this damages the ears, often beyond repair. Research also suggests that children are being taken by their parents to sporting or music events which expose them to volumes only suitable for more mature ears. Professor of preventive medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Dr Martin, said, "If a sound reaches 85 decibels and over an extended period, it can permanently damage hearing. The safe level for an iPod is 80 per cent on the volume slider. If you listen to music at that level, you can safely listen for 90 minutes a day."

One easy way to measure if the music in your headphones is too loud is to stand at arms length from someone and if you are unable to hear them talk, it's too loud. High volumes can physically damage your ears but also can lead to an affliction called Tinnitus. Tinnitus is a devastating condition that causes a permanent loud ringing noise in the ear and can often take over a person's life. It can sometimes be treated but in most cases it remains present and victims are forced to suffer an unbearable ringing noise in their ear for the rest of their life.

In decibels, a normal conversation would generate 60dB, a loud concert or busy construction site may go as loud as 120dB and a jet engine or pneumatic drill can generate 150dB. Noises this loud are instantly painful and exposure to noises above 150dB will cause instant permanent damage. Even at a relatively low level, constant noise can cause high blood pressure, stress, anxiety and insomnia.

12% of children under the age of 19 in America and Europe have some level of hearing loss completely attributed to exposure to loud noise. There are laws against noise levels in a workplace but nothing to control individuals exposing themselves to loud music.