Features: Loud MP3 Players May Cause Early Deafness

Posted : July, 2006

Loud MP3 Players May Cause Early Deafness

Hearing loss affects one in seven of the UK population and is the nation's second most common disability. Deafness Research UK, a medical charity for deafness and hearing problems, conducted a national telephone survey of 1,000 people aged 16 - 60 years in June 2006.

It was discovered that young people listening to loud MP3 players frequently may become deaf 30 years earlier than the last generation. More than a third of the 1,000 people interviewed had ringing in the ear (tinnitus), which is a sign of hearing damage, after listening to loud music. (Survey Report)

Exposure to noise levels over 105 decibels for more than 15 minutes can damage hearing. Loud personal music players, such as iPod, are up to 115 decibels.

Other findings of the survey:

38% of 16 - 34 year olds are not aware that listening to loud music on a personal music player, going to loud bars/nightclubs/concert, playing loud music in the car or working with machinery, can damage their hearing.

28% of 16 - 34 year olds visit noisy bars, pubs or nightclubs once or twice a week.

82% of people who have experienced tinnitus after listening to loud music go to nightclubs: of these, a quarter goes once a week or more.

60- 60 rule for hearing protection against music players

The charity advises people to follow the 60- 60 rule. Do not listen to your MP3 player at more than 60 percent of maximum volume and do not listen to it for more than 60 minutes at a time.

If the music from a headset is loud enough for the people around to hear, then it is loud enough to cause hearing damage.

Common noise levels

Noise Level (in decibels)	Noise Type
0	The softest a person can hear with normal hearing
60	Normal conversation
85	Heavy traffic
110	Disco, car horn or shouting in the ear
112	Personal music player (on loud)
120	Rock concert or ambulance siren
125	Car stereo

How the ear works

Sounds reach our ears as sound waves. These sound waves move through the ear canal and generate vibration of the eardrum situated at the far end of it. This in turn causes the three little bones of the middle ear to move backwards and forwards and amplify the vibrations as they pass them into the inner ear (or cochlea).

Fluid in the cochlea is set in motion and the vibrations are picked up by special sensory cells known as hair cells, which send electrical signals through the hearing nerve to the brain, so that we can hear.

Why loud noise can damage hearing

As people grow older, the sensory hair cells in the ear will naturally die off, resulting in deterioration in hearing. Exposure to excessive noise can distort and damage hair cells prematurely, making them unable to transmit incoming sound to the brain. This leads to permanent hearing impairment.

Consequences of hearing loss

Once the hair cells in the ear are damaged by loud noises, they cannot be recovered by other means. Wearing hearing aid only amplifies the sound, so that its signal is strong enough to stimulate those hair cells which are not yet completely damaged.

Hearing loss can make life unbearable. It cuts people off from their family and friends and makes everyday communication extremely difficult. Many people who suffer slow decline in their hearing would experience frustration, loneliness and depression.

It is advisable to protect your hearing by avoiding excessively loud noises. Where necessary, wear protective gear when working in a noisy environment. People with suspected hearing impairment should consult the doctor and have hearing tests. Signs or symptoms include ringing in the ear (tinnitus), often asking people to repeat their words, tuning the TV or radio to a volume that is too loud for the others etc.