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Most people think of hearing loss as a condition that affects older people.

However, recent studies show that teenagers will soon become the population group most affected by hearing problems.

Specifically, we know that 1-2 newborns in 1000 births have some degree of hearing loss. This percentage multiplies when we refer to teenagers, as hearing loss at even one frequency occurs in approximately 16%.

The most common cause of this phenomenon is the constant exposure of children and especially teenagers to “noise” in the form of loud sounds.

Indicative of the seriousness of noise is a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) that states that children in a large city may be exposed to more noise at school than factory workers during an eight-hour shift!

Typical examples of noise exposure for a teenager are:

• use / abuse of headphones and audio devices
• listening to loud music at home or in entertainment venues
• watching sporting events and concerts.

Loud noise and sounds can be harmful to a person’s hearing.

Both the level and duration of noise can put a teenager at risk for hearing loss.

Sound levels are measured in decibels (dB). The higher the decibel number, the louder the sound. Research has shown that sounds greater than 85 dB can cause permanent hearing loss.

Hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds can occur slowly and take years to be noticed by the teenager or their environment.

Although it may seem difficult to convince a teenager that their daily habits may lead to irreversible hearing damage in the future, they should be informed of this possibility and given advice on how to prevent such damage.

We should encourage teenagers to listen to music, as it relaxes and calms them, but to avoid listening at high volume, to use earphones that go inside the ear but to prefer those that are external (headphones) and to definitely take breaks, thus avoiding continuous exposure.

Also, if they want to have fun in a club or at a concert, to make sure to sit in the center of the space away from the speakers.

In addition, when participating in noisy activities, to use hearing protection such as earplugs.

In general, your teenagers hear very loud sounds if: you have to raise your voice or take off their headphones to hear you, they do not understand what you are saying to them from a close distance, or if they complain of pain or ringing in their ears after exposure to noise.

Remember that hearing loss can go unnoticed for many years after chronic exposure to high levels of noise.

Although, noise-induced hearing loss is usually gradual and painless, it is permanent.