Risks of gaming and loud music for hearing loss

According to the World Report on Hearing 2021, 50% of children and young adults aged 12–35 years are at risk of hearing loss due to exposure to unsafe levels of sounds in personal audio devices in recreational settings. In addition, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 1 billion young people worldwide could be at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.

Research suggests that video gaming is a risk factor for noise-induced hearing loss due to gamers often using headphones set to higher than recommended volume levels, and for extended periods of time.  One study measured sound levels of 5 video games through headphones attached to the gaming console, and found that these averaged 88.5, 87.6, 85.6 and 91.2 dB for 4 separate shooter games, and 85.6 dB for a racing game.  These are maximum permissible levels for safe listening, so one can conclude that sound at a higher level or exposure for longer than 8 hours at a time, can lead to hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

Consequently, approximately 15% of the more than 3 billion players in the global gaming community have hearing loss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a similar vein, loud music is another major cause of hearing loss amongst the youth.  Many musicians are coming forward with reports of their own hearing loss, including Paul Simon who has spoken about his frustration at not being able to play the guitar and sing with the same ease as before.  The legendary drummer and singer Phil Collins has experienced hearing loss and tinnitus as a result of years of performing with loud music. Collins has said that he now wears hearing aids and has reduced his exposure to loud music in order to preserve his hearing.  Another well-known musician Sting has openly discussed living with hearing loss, and has advocated for conscious hearing and safe listening practices as an ambassador for the Hear the World Foundation.  It isn’t only the older entertainers who have been affected. Chris Martin of Coldplay has experienced hearing loss since 2022 and now protects his hearing on and off the stage, wearing musicians’ earplugs and in-ear monitors on stage.

 

Young people are unlikely to change their habits, so how can they protect their ears, and especially their hearing?

1. Firstly, choose the right headset – If you’re gaming in a noisy environment, use noise-cancelling headphones. If gaming regularly, invest in a headset with good sound quality, that fits you comfortably over your ears (as opposed to those which fit inside your ear), and has adjustable sound settings to find the setting to suit you. Look for gaming headsets that tune the sound to your hearing.
2. Adjust the volume – gamers also often play at high-intensity sound levels and for several hours at a time. During long gaming sessions, check to make sure your headphones are not at the highest volume to protect your ears. Experts recommend keeping sound levels at somewhere between 60 and 85 decibels to minimize the damage your ears are exposed to.
3. Take regular breaks to give your ears a rest – To prevent headphone-related hearing damage, follow the 60/60 rule. When listening to music or other audio content, limit the sound to no more than 60% of the device’s maximum volume, and restrict usage to 60 minutes at a time. Taking breaks in between sessions will allow your ears to rest and recover.

 

The long-term effects of hearing loss are more far-reaching than not being able to hear.  Hearing devices only amplify sound to a level that can be heard with your residual hearing, which in itself can be damaging.

Remember, noise-induced hearing loss is permanent, so prevention is crucial.

Listen safely, and hear forever!

 

Sources:

1. https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000253
2. https://www.who.int/news/item/17-01-2024-video-gamers-worldwide-may-be-risking-irreversible-hearing-loss-and-or-tinnitus#:~:text=Of%20these%2C%202%20found%20that,self%2Dreported%20hearing%20loss%20severity.
3. https://www.ava.me/blog/game-on-for-deaf-accessibility#:~:text=Deaf%20and%20hard%2Dof%2Dhearing,in%20the%20global%20gaming%20sector.
4. https://mimi.io/gamers-at-risk-of-hearing-loss#:~:text=During%20long%20gaming%20sessions%2C%20check,your%20ears%20are%20exposed%20to.
5. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/tinnitus#:~:text=For%20children%20and%20adults%2C%20tinnitus,some%20degree%20of%20hearing%20loss.